Telling Your Story

Everyone loves to hear a story! How better to learn about others in your small group than by telling stories about spiritual journeys. Often referred to as spiritual autobiographies, sharing with others the various epics in your life concerning spiritual matters creates stronger bonds and helps to build relationships that make a difference.

What’s it all about?

• Causes you to examine your life and see some of the ways God has been active in and through time
• Helps you to understand your particular story; who you are, what God has done in and through you, and where God is urging you to go at the present

How do we do it?
Think of logical segments in which to divide your life.  Segments might include the time when you were not a believer, how you came to understand the gospel and the life transformation that took place. Add to that what God is presently doing in your life.  Segments might include different age stages, work or culture experiences, family experiences or church ministry experiences. There are all sorts of segments for you to creatively reconstruct. The important issue is to remember:

• What role God played in your daily life during that time
• What changes He influenced you to make
• What you ignored
• The lessons you learned

Here’s a great idea!
Provide a long sheet of white paper and various colored pencils and give everyone 20 minutes to draw four defining spiritual segments of their lives. Taking 5 minutes each, have group members explain their drawings. It’s such fun and a wonderful way to learn about people’s spiritual journeys. There’s comfort in knowing that we all usually struggle somewhere along our lives and how God in His perfect plan brings us through the hard times.
One caution: Leader direction is important. 10 people in a group describing their spiritual autobiographies for 5 minutes is easy to calculate. No more said!

Give it a try and enjoy the stories of your small group members!