Week of October 11, 2026
Week 1 “God’s Story-Our Story”
Warm Up
If last week were a movie, what category would it be, and why?
• MysteryAction/Adventure
• Documentary
• Cowboy Western
• Sci-Fi
• Romance
• Comedy
Introduction
Before you begin this session, take time to share any thoughts or reflections you have from the first message in the “Testify” Series about the importance of sharing your testimony or faith story.
As we begin our reflections on learning to share our faith stories, it is important to recognize that our stories are not just our own. We are all part of a much larger story which God has been writing since before the beginning of time. Each of us may be writing our own story, but God is the ultimate author of every human life. Your story is all a part of His grand story.
To truly understand our own stories, we must understand God’s grand story as revealed to us in His Word. The better we understand the story and how we are enfolded into it, the better we will understand our own story in relationship with God and with each other.
In the Bible Study, “The Story,” Randy Frazee breaks down the Biblical story into 5 “movements.”
1. The Story of the Garden – God creates the world. He also creates humans to be in relationship with Him and puts them in a garden paradise. The first two people reject God’s vision for life with Him in the world, introducing sin and its curse into the world. They are ejected from the garden, but God immediately promises a way back to life with Him.
2. The Story of Israel – God builds a brand-new nation called Israel as a part of His plan to save all people. Through this nation, He will reveal His presence and power as well as His plan to redeem us. Every story of Israel teaches us about Him and in some way points to His plan of salvation.
3. The Story of Jesus – Jesus left his place in glory with the Father to join us in our sin-broken world. He not only taught us to live with God in His grace and truth but also paid the price to save us from the curse of sin and restore us to right relationship with God now and forever. After He rose from the dead, He commissioned His followers to share the good news of salvation. He returned bodily to heaven but promised to be with us in Spirit and to return one day to make all things right.
4. The Story of the Church – God created a new community of people who believe in His plan of redemption. He continues to work in this community to help people become as He originally intended, to share His power and presence with others, and to be part of His reconciling work in the world. This is where our story begins as we, who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, are part of God’s community of redeemed people.
5. The Story of the New Garden – God promises one day that Jesus will return bodily. He will recreate the earth and a new garden. There, all his redeemed people will enjoy life in His presence eternally. This is the future of our story with God. What do you find helpful about the way Randy Frazee breaks down the Biblical story?
On a scale of 1-5, how well could you share the story of salvation in the Bible if someone asked you what the Bible story is all about?
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
1=Not at all 3=OK 5=In great detail
Digging Deeper (Scripture and discussion questions)
The story of Jesus and his saving work is central to God’s story. Look at what Jesus said to the Jewish leaders about this in John 5:36-40.
What Old Testament passages that point to Jesus are especially memorable or significant to you?
In our part of God’s story, we have been part of it from the beginning, and He is working it out with us each day. He calls us to remember this and follow His gracious plan for our lives.
Read the following passages and discuss how they speak to you about God’s story and how your story is intertwined with it.
Psalm 139:13-16
Ephesians 2:1-10
Romans 8:22-28
1 Peter 1:3–7
How does each of these verses help you to see God’s gracious work in your life?
How do they give you hope for your life story moving forward?
Taking It Home
What is one key point from this discussion that I want to remember and apply?
How will it impact my life moving forward?
Challenge of the Week
Three challenges this week:
1. Practice telling the basics of the Bible’s story of salvation out loud.
2. Start making notes about your faith story—how it began, when your faith first began to feel real and meaningful, and notable moments when God was active in your life.
3. Consider participating in a “Discover Your Story” event, or do the online activity, to reflect more deeply and learn more about your faith story.
Prayer
Take time to share any prayer concerns or requests people in the group have, and close in prayer for each other.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for revealing that we are not alone in our stories, but that you have known us and planned for us from the beginning. Help us to recognize your loving presence and power at work in our lives. Strengthen us in our faith in you and your will for our lives. Help us to stay closely connected to you and your community of redeemed people. Motivate and enable us to align our attitudes and actions with the story you have in mind for us, and fill us with hope for our ultimate future with you.
