Set A Fire :: Know Your Story
Use the lead app to check in students and make sure any students not listed fill out a connect card digitally.
Do not move on until check-in has happened and any students not listed have filled out a connect card.
Tonight is a little different for small groups!
Main Point:
If you have been changed by Jesus, then your story has the power to change others.
John 9:
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:1- 3 ESV
QUESTION:
Have you ever thought about why the things that happen to you, good or bad, happen? What are some of the thoughts you have had about that?
Do you have a story about a time when you could connect or put yourselves in someone else’s shoes with someone you normally wouldn’t because of a similar experience you both had? What was that like?
8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” John 9:8-11 ESV
This man experienced a huge change in his life. He was a blind beggar, now he was a healed storyteller. Have you experienced a big change in your life? Can you describe what changed?
QUESTION:
Has someone ever shared a life-change story with you that had an impact on you? Why was it impactful?
Nitty Gritty
Oh yeah it is time to get down to the NITTY GRITTY!!!
Write your story down: Take a crack at it.
Has Jesus changed your life? If he has then use the Easy 3 sheet to write your testimony. Even if you don’t know Jesus yet, your story matters and it can inspire others. Use the questions below to help you think through your story and how you might share it with others:
What challenges have I faced in my life?
Who or what helped me overcome that challenge or difficulty?
How did walking through that experience change me as a person?
Once you have thought through those questions just grab a sheet and fill it out. If you need any guidance hit up a leader or another student in your group that might be able to help.
This may help you leaders :)
I was...
This is where you talk about what your life was like before you became a follower of Jesus.
What was your life like before you knew Jesus? What was your family like? How was your thought life? Did you have healthy friendships or not so great friendships?
What challenges were you struggling with then? How did those make life more difficult?
What sins were you engaging in? How did those make life worse?
Then God...
This is the moment when you encounter the Gospel—the Good News about Jesus!
Where were you when the Gospel became real to you? Who shared it with you? How did you feel?
What things led up to being ready to receive Jesus then?
Was there anything that changed at that moment? Maybe about the way you see yourself, others, or God?
I am...
This is where you share how your life is different now because of what Jesus has done for you.
How would you describe your life now? What is your family like? What is your thought life like? How have your friendships changed?
What challenges has Jesus helped you overcome? What sins has He helped you find freedom from?
What bigger purpose are you living your life for now? How is God using you to love others and make a difference?
PRAY :)
We will know we have hit our target if:
-Students have created a simple version of their story using the “I was…, Then God…, I am …” prompts.