Everyone loves a great story, and, believe it or not, you possess an epic all your own. One of the most important aspects of the Christian faith is sharing our stories—stories of our struggles, successes, and the ways that Christ has transformed our lives.
In fact, even Jesus Himself used storytelling to explain His message!
So here’s a place for you to share your story with your fellow Christians. You may feel that your story is unimportant, or that it will come across as a ramble or rant, but don’t worry! We’ll guide you through the process. Or, if you’d prefer to tell your story in your own way, just skip straight down to the bottom of the page and go for it.
Oh, and if you run out of writing space, just keep typing! Your text boxes will extend themselves to accommodate what you have to say.
Your story will be utilized for internal purposes within the Church, and we will contact you if we would like to share your story in any public way.
PART I: IN MEDIAS RES
(“Into the Middle of Things”)
We’ll start your story at the most heart-pounding, dangerous point—in the middle of the action. There will be time for introductions later. Start by telling us what major challenge or problem stood in the way of your decision to live a life for Christ. When and where were you confronted by this challenge? What obstacle or obstacles stood in the way of overcoming that challenge? Perhaps most importantly of all, what motivated you to confront and conquer that challenge? Keep it short and sweet for now. This is the hook that will grab your readers and keep their attention all the way to the end of your story.
PART II: ORIGIN STORY
Now let’s take a step back. We know where your story is going, and we know the perils that you’re about to overcome. What we may not know, though, is how you got there. If you haven’t told us yet, now is the time to tell us about your upbringing, your family, your hobbies, etc. Describe yourself. What are YOU like? If you were already a Christian before your great challenge, how did you become a Christian? What were the most impactful, life-changing events that led you to your great challenge? Which events gave you the strength you needed to overcome that challenge?
PART III: CLIMAX
By now, your readers are dying to know more about your challenge. They understand who you are as a person, they know about your humble origins, and they know about the trials and tribulations that led you to the darkest point in your life. Now, tell us how you finally overcame your challenge. How did God help you to solve your challenge? Help your readers to see the work that God has done in your life. Remember that Grace is the reason your story can affect others. Do not feel the need to exaggerate. Trust us—your story will be most compelling at its most truthful.
PART IV: AFTERMATH
All that’s left now is to tell us what has happened since your triumph. What has life looked like since you chose to accept Christ as your personal savior? How are you leading others to Him? How do you react differently to life’s challenges now that you’ve come to know Jesus? What are you learning about God, life, and yourself right now? What are the problems you still face? How do you intend to handle struggles from now on? What would you say to others who are still struggling?
FREE ASSOCIATION
This is a place where your creativity can be unbound. If you’re a confident writer already, or if you felt compelled to tell your story in a specific way, this is the place to work. Perhaps you’ve been inspired by what you wrote above and are ready for a second draft, free of the guidelines we’ve provided. Whatever your reason, here you go: this is your blank canvas. Or, if you have finished your work, just head down to the bottom of the page and press the SUBMIT button.
