“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1: 11-12
We are all storytellers, whether we know it or not.
For Christians, the most important story we can tell is how we encountered Jesus.
Why?
Because it’s THIS story that demonstrates God’s incredible love and mercy. It’s THIS story that gives glory to God and points others to Him. It’s THIS story that invites others to experience the same freedom and forgiveness we’ve known through Jesus.
But how do we start? How do we break past the surface in our everyday conversations to something real – something deeper like life, faith, and God?
The apostle Paul shared his story in Acts 22:1-16. Take some time and read it. Talk about a life transformation: from religious terrorist to one of the most famous missionaries, Paul boldly shared his story wherever he went. As a result, lives were transformed. But what about those of us with less dramatic stories of faith? Can our stories really impact others? Absolutely!
Here are a few tips:
- Write out your story. Try to keep it to 100 words, making sure to include: Life BEFORE Jesus, ENCOUNTERING Jesus, and Life AFTER.
- Ask about someone else’s story. Have you ever noticed how happy people are to talk about themselves? Take the time to ask about the life of a friend or colleague. Slow down and get to know someone on a deeper level.
- Ask if you can tell your story. For instance say, “Could I share my story with you?” The most beautiful thing about your life story is that no one can argue with your story. It’s your experience and your life change – you are the world’s Ph.D. on your story. So you can boldly share it with others!
Don’t miss an opportunity to share your story with someone this week. It may not take more than 60 seconds and you never know what conversation may follow.
Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH
