Transformational Story Worksheet

Transcription

1 Transformational Story Worksheet 1. Pray. Lord, please remind me of some of the pivotal moments in my journey with You, so I can share them with others. 2. Remember. Pause over each of these categories. Prayerfully consider if you have a story in these areas. Jot a few notes down to remind yourself of the stories. Take a moment to praise God for the work He has done in your life! a. Physical healing b. Emotional healing c. Overcoming addictions d. Breakthrough in forgiving others e. Breakthrough in forgiving myself f. New understanding about God g. New understanding about myself h. Scriptures that are vital to my spiritual growth i. Ways that God enabled me to change my behavior j. Transformation in speech and/or thought k. Transformation in attitudes l. Overcoming depression m. Overcoming perfectionism n. Overcoming laziness o. Managing anger in a godly way p. Transformation in how I relate to people q. Other (God transforms His children in diverse, personal, and powerful ways!) 3. Write. Choose one story, and outline the major points. If you prefer, write it out like an actual story. Although we should be ready to share our stories face-to-face, it is also powerful to share them in writing, too.

2 a. Who was involved? Did God work through the actions and words of others? b. What happened? What changed? What was the result of this experience? c. When did this happen? Recently? In the past? What was going on in your life during this time? d. Where did this happen? What was the setting? e. How did God transform you? What did you feel and see as evidence of change? 4. Show God s Work. When we tell our stories, we make the invisible God visible. Tell people: How did God initiate change and/or a relationship with you? What did He do? _ 5. How is God the Hero of your story? What did God do that you could not do on your own? _ 6. His Story. We also want to show how our small story fits into His story the amazing story of the God who created us, loves us, chose us, saved us, and transforms us. 7. Pray. a. Lord, is there someone in my life right now with whom I should share my story? b. Lord, I am willing to share my story which is really Your story with the people You put around me today. Please prompt me. I am willing.

3 Chosen. Born. Loved. Pursued. Saved. Forgiven. Freed. Transformed. Empowered. Sent. What if no Transformational Stories come to mind? When we receive Christ, we become a new creation, the old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17b) After accepting Christ, we begin a lifelong process of transformation during which the Lord conforms us more and more to the image of Jesus Christ, His Son: And we all are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Therefore, as we live our lives we are changed for the better, to be more like Jesus Christ. This may be more easily observed over long periods of time not always perceptible day by day. So, now pause to ask yourself these questions: 1. Have I received Jesus Christ as my Savior? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came that we could be forgiven of all our sins and that we could have eternal, everlasting, abundant life. If you are not sure that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and you would like to be sure, please turn to page 122 to start the incredible, transforming journey of following Him! 2. Have I made Jesus Christ my Lord? People may come to know Christ they may believe in Him and place their trust in Him for forgiveness of sins without really submitting to Him as the Lord of their lives. You may want to ask yourself, Have I given up going my own way, and chosen to follow Christ chosen to submit to God s ways? Have I chosen to obey God in even the intricate details in my life to use the Bible as my guide for everyday living and decision-making? The Bible says: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way. Isaiah 53:6a We will naturally go our own way and do what we want to do or feel like doing, unless we choose to go God s way. If you aren t sure you have ever made the decision to follow Christ and obey God s Word,

4 -consider praying and communicating to the Lord that you want to follow Him and His ways. Choosing to follow Christ is choosing a new path in life. Your life will never be the same again! Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: Am I reading and obeying God s Word? Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 The Bible says we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. And how are our minds renewed? How do we think new thoughts? By introducing the alive and active Word of God into our minds. The Word of God is powerful to judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in right ways. It is transforming! For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 Are you spending time in the Word of God? If not, start spending time reading the Bible daily. It applies to your life. The book of John is a good place to begin. Also, there are many Stonecroft Bible Studies designed for people to go through alone, with a friend, or with a small group. See our resource page and visit stonecroft.org. 4. Am I spending time with people who don t know Jesus? 5. Am I spending time honestly relating with God s people? God calls us not to a solitary life, but a life of community among His people. He calls this community the church. God uses us in each other s lives to transform us in a variety of ways.

5 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up -meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24 25 If you have not been spending time with other Christ-followers, consider regularly attending a small group such as a class at a church, or a Stonecroft Bible Study, prayer, or service group. 6. Pray. Ask the Lord to transform you. Ask Him to work powerfully in your life to make you more like His Son. This is a prayer according to God s own will and purpose, and we can be sure He will answer it! Consider praying Paul s prayer for the Colossians for yourself: Lord, I ask You to fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that I may live a life worthy of You and please You in every way, That I would bear fruit in every good work, That I would grow in my knowledge of You know You better, That I would be strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might so that I might have great endurance and patience, And I joyfully give thanks to You, Lord, for You have qualified me to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light, For You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of the Son You love, Jesus Christ, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Adapted from Colossians 1:9-14