93624.7 Lesson 7. How? God’s Story

Posted byJonathan Kobayashi

I. THE POWER OF GOD’S STORY

  1. God’s story is the foundation of the Gospel. It is the overarching narrative of God’s plan for humanity, encompassing creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.
  2. The Simplicity of the Gospel: The message of the Gospel should be clear and understandable to anyone, regardless of their background. This simplicity is vital for reproducibility—enabling new believers to quickly learn and share God’s story with others, leading to multiplication.

II. THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR SHARING GOD’S STORY:

  1. Jesus’ Example of Storytelling: Jesus often used stories (parables) to communicate complex spiritual truths in simple ways (Matthew 13:34). He knew that stories engage the heart and mind, making them memorable and relatable.
  2. The Apostles’ Proclamation: In the Book of Acts, the apostles consistently shared God’s story as they preached the Gospel. Peter’s sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41) is an example of how he shared the story of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and fulfillment of prophecy to call people to repentance and faith.

III. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S STORY: THE BIG PICTURE

  1. God’s story is the central narrative of the Bible. It reveals who God is, why Jesus came, and how we can respond to His love and salvation. The story can be presented in four main parts, making it easy for anyone to share.
  1. Creation: God’s Original Design

  1. The Beginning: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He made everything good, including humanity, which was created in His image to have a relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27).
  2. God’s Design: God’s original design was perfect—full of love, harmony, and intimacy between God and humanity. People were created to know God, worship Him, and rule over creation in partnership with Him.
  3. Why It Matters: Starting with creation helps people understand that God is the Creator, we are His creation, and we were made to live in relationship with Him. This establishes the foundation for understanding sin and the need for redemption.
  1. The Fall: Humanity’s Rebellion
  1. The Entrance of Sin: Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, leading to separation from God (Genesis 3). This rebellion broke the perfect relationship between God and humanity, resulting in spiritual death, pain, and brokenness.
  2. The Consequence of Sin: Because of sin, humanity is now separated from God, unable to restore the relationship by its own efforts (Romans 3:23). This separation affects all areas of life—spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical.
  3. Why It Matters: Understanding the fall helps people see the root of the world’s brokenness and their personal need for God’s forgiveness. It establishes why Jesus’ sacrifice is necessary for redemption.
  1. Redemption: Jesus’ Sacrifice and Resurrection
  1. God’s Love and Mercy: Despite humanity’s rebellion, God did not abandon us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise again to offer salvation to all who believe (John 3:16).
  2. The Cross and Resurrection: Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for sin, and His resurrection defeated the power of death, offering new life to those who put their faith in Him (Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
  3. Why It Matters: The redemption story highlights God’s love, grace, and the possibility of a restored relationship through Jesus. It is the heart of the Gospel—an invitation to repent, believe, and follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.
  1. Restoration: The Hope of New Creation
  1. New Life in Christ: When someone accepts Jesus, they become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit begins the process of transformation, restoring the person’s relationship with God and enabling them to live according to God’s design.
  2. God’s Ultimate Plan: The story doesn’t end with personal salvation. God’s ultimate plan is to restore all creation to its original design—a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more sin, pain, or death (Revelation 21:1-4).
  3. Why It Matters: Restoration offers hope not just for individuals but for the whole world. It reminds believers that their mission is not only to experience personal salvation but to partner with God in restoring others to Him.

IV. PRACTICAL METHODS FOR SHARING GOD’S STORY

When sharing God’s story, it’s important to use methods that are simple, memorable, and reproducible. Here are several approaches that can be used in various contexts.

  1. The 3 Circles Method

Overview: The 3 Circles is a simple visual tool that presents God’s story in three stages: God’s Design, Brokenness, and the Gospel.

How to Use It:

  1. Draw the First Circle: Write “God’s Plan.” Explain that God originally created the world perfect, with a design for a relationship with Him, with purpose and life.
  2. Draw the Second Circle: Write “Brokenness.” Explain how sin entered the world and broke our relationship with God, leading to pain, suffering, and separation from Him, and we naturally look for ways to fix the brokenness.
  3. Draw the Third Circle: Write “Follow.” Explain that Jesus came to heal our brokenness and restore us to God’s Plan. Through His death and resurrection, He offers forgiveness and new life.

Exercise: Practice drawing and explaining the 3 Circles to a friend or in a group. Role-play sharing it in a conversation with someone who is seeking spiritual answers.

  1. Creation to Christ (C2C) Story

Overview: This method tells the story of the Bible from creation to the coming of Christ, emphasizing key events such as creation, the fall, the promise of a savior, the life of Jesus, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.

How to Use It:

  1. Start by telling the story of creation and explain how God created everything good.
  2. Transition to the story of Adam and Eve’s sin, explaining the consequences of the fall.
  3. Introduce the promise of a savior through the Old Testament stories, leading to Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.

Practical Application: Use C2C when you have more time, such as during home visits, Bible studies, or casual conversations. Encourage participants to learn the key elements of the story by heart to share it fluently.

  1. The Romans Road

Overview: The Romans Road is a series of verses from the Book of Romans that outline the plan of salvation.

Key Verses:

  1. Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
  2. Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  3. Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
  4. Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

How to Use It: The Romans Road is effective for one-on-one evangelism or small group discussions. It helps people understand sin, the need for redemption, and the response required for salvation. As you progress through the verses, have the participant read them and discuss each of them.

  1. The 4 Spiritual Laws / Bridge Illustration

Overview: The 4 Spiritual Laws is a classic Gospel presentation that explains four principles of God’s story:

  1. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. (Draw God’s side of the gap.) (John 3:16, John 10:10)
    • Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life? Because…
  2. Humanity is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life. (Romans 3:23, 6:23)
  3. The third law explains the only way to bridge this gulf…
    • Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for sin. Through Him, we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our life. (Draw the Cross) (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18)
    • It is not enough just to know these three laws…
  4. We must individually receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. Draw the person and ask for a response.

Note: These are not the only ways to tell God’s story; be creative and share what you have learned in your culture and context.

V. PRACTICAL STEPS FOR SHARING GOD’S STORY

  1. Start with Your Testimony
  1. Personal Story as a Bridge: Your personal testimony is a powerful tool that makes God’s story relatable. Share your own journey of encountering Jesus as a way to transition into sharing God’s larger story.
  1. Be Relational and Contextual
  1. Adjust Your Approach: Be sensitive to the cultural and personal context of the person you’re sharing with. Use illustrations and language that resonate with their background and experiences.
  2. Ask Questions: Use questions to gauge the person’s understanding and interest. For example:
    • “What do you think about God?”
    • “Have you ever heard the story of Jesus?”
  3. Adapt Your Message: Be prepared to adapt the length and depth of God’s story based on the person’s interest and time availability. In some cases, you might share a brief version of the Gospel, while in others, you may have time to share more of the biblical narrative.
  1. Focus on Clarity and Invitation
  1. Keep It Simple: Avoid using Christian jargon or complicated theological terms. Use simple language that clearly communicates the message.
  2. Invite a Response: After sharing God’s story, invite the person to respond. Ask if they have any questions, if they understand what you’ve shared, and if they would like to accept Jesus as their Savior. Be patient and gentle, respecting their journey and openness.

VI. PRACTICE IN GROUPS

  1. Role-Playing: Regularly practice sharing God’s story in small groups, using different methods. Rotate who leads each session to ensure everyone gains confidence in sharing the Gospel.
  2. Feedback and Encouragement: After each practice session, provide feedback, focusing on clarity, confidence, and compassion. Encourage one another to be bold and to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance.