THE POWER OF STORY
CONNECTION
What is something you jumped to a conclusion about because of something you saw or heard and found out you were wrong? (e.g. ever said to a woman “I didn’t know you were pregnant” when she was not, or come to a conclusion about what the ending of a movie was halfway through only to find out you were mistaken?)
BIBLE
Matthew 19: 16-22 – The Rich, Young Ruler.
“Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”
We are always seeing and hearing things around us, that we then store away. This then impacts the story we create and believe, which then impacts our feelings, which drives our actions. Unfortunately the story we make up in our own head can be very wrong and this ultimately affects our actions.
SEE & HEAR – STORY – FEELINGS – ACTIONS
A STORY
Charles Spurgeon, known as the ‘Prince of Preachers’ in the 1800s, had chickens, and his family sold the eggs. His community SAW that he was selling the eggs rather than giving them away, and created the STORY that he was not a generous man. They FELT frustrated with him and ACTED accordingly towards him.
However, years later they discovered that the TRUE STORY was that the profit of the eggs went towards supporting widows. If they knew the TRUE STORY, this would’ve affected the way they FELT, and then the way they ACTED towards him.
Philippians 4:8 – “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
One of the best ways to change the narrative of our STORY is to HAVE GENEROUS ASSUMPTIONS (Believe the best, correct story, instead of creating your own one). Believing the correct story leads to the correct feelings and then, the correct, healthy actions.
QUESTIONS
- What are 1-2 main feelings you have felt this week?
- Think of one challenging scenario or relationship in your life. What is the story you are believing?
- What could it look like to have generous assumptions or to believe the best in that scenario or relationship?
- What’s the story you have told yourself about God? Do you think you need to change the story so it is more correct? Dive into scripture to read about who God really is.
- Which of these 3 areas do you see yourself right now needing to assess in light of your relationships ? Story, Feelings, Actions.
- What is a next step you can take to ensure you grow in this area?
