Practical guide to capturing your story
Reflection anprayer
We encourage you to open this practice with prayer and reflection. Whether you feel called to share a story you are familiar with, or compelled to explore your story for the first time, preparing your heart is a kind and loving posture to take.
Lord, I submit my story to you. You are the God who made all parts of me. You delight in me as your unique creation, lovingly designed with a purpose.
Holy Spirit, reveal to me the chapters of my story that you wish to be revealed. Help me to recall them well, to reflect and see where you have met me. Allow the words I write to point others towards Jesus.
I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Engaging your story- What do I share?
Where has God revealed himself in your story?
We are often most familiar with stories that center around the moment of salvation. We also know that life after, and even before, contains thousands of examples of God at work.
Truly, there are an endless number of promptings to begin your story. Please find the examples below as optional, using them if appropriate for the one God has asked you to tell.
Tell me about the day you realized:
This was the moment where it all made sense…
This was when I recognized that the quiet, still voice was the Lord…
This was when the practices changed things…
What was missing…
A stronghold that was removed and led to…
I had always struggled with ___, it was ___ when that really changed for me…
Palpable God moments:
God gave me the opportunity to see…
At that moment, I was overwhelmed with…
I felt the spirit calling me to…
There was such clarity…
There was no explanation, aside from a miracle when…
Upon reflection:
Tell us about an area you’ve grown in spiritually…
Tell us about a moment when you surrendered ____ and then…
I didn’t realize it before, but upon reflection, God was clearly…
Now, when I look back, it’s clear that…
Preparing your story- Putting pen to paper
Heartfelt writing takes place when you give yourself permission to fully engage- all senses on board, in the often messy first stage. First be a writer, sliding in and out of the memory to collect the details and reflectively pray as the Spirit guides you to relate to God and others. You will work through the editing process as shape takes place.
Stories typically have 4 distinct parts:
Lead in
Provides context and sets the scene. Select what details are essential to understand about this moment, and not a larger history of who you are. This is likely the shortest component of your story.
Before
This section contains the elements of the struggle or questioning. This may include: failed solutions, moments before hope entered, barriers to believing, a distorted view you once held, or other forms of resistance, or heartache.
After
Hope, healing, and restoration enter your story here. This section is where listeners feel the pivot. Here, you share the revelation, the understanding, the lesson(s). Here is where God is glorified in your story.
Close
How has Jesus changed your life since? What thing(s) do you want others who may be going through this exact same thing to know? How is the living God meeting you, even today? Where do you have hope for the future?
Refining your story - The editing process
As you get closer to a final draft, you may find the following suggestions helpful.
-Tell your story to other believers who will honor your vulnerability and provide helpful feedback.
-Record yourself telling the story out loud
-Request a time to meet with our staff or the Pastor
For all, the main focus should reveal God at work within your story.
Your story does not have to be memorized.
On the day we record, you are welcome to bring an outline, notecards, or use our teleprompter.