Habit 3: STORY OWN, TELL, AND DEVELOP YOUR STORY
People are not problems to be solved or victims who are stuck, we are dy-
namic characters in a colorful story—an adventure—that’s still developing and full of redemptive potential. Maturity is about more deeply facing, knowing, and owning our story; telling our story to safe people; and taking next steps to follow Jesus into a bigger story. Stepping into this bigger story we increasingly recognize God as the hero and ourselves as the supporting characters who make choices to wisely steward the opportunities God gives us. As we listen to other’s stories, our goal is to help people feel known & loved by God and by us, and empowered by the Spirit to take the next step in their story. This is our key discipleship verse, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, in deep action: here we’re deeply sharing the gospel and our lives with one another.
MEMORIZE
Where do you get that living water? Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty. - John 4
STUDY JOHN 4:1-42 TOGETHER.
List everything you can detect in the text about the Samaritan woman’s story
and how Jesus shows up in her life to interrupt, confront, and transform her story. Each time you go through this exercise with a new group of people you’ll likely spot new insights in the text. Expect to detect at least 5-10 key insights that help us better own, tell, and develop our stories. What connections can you make between John 4, the core book you are reading, and your own stories?
“You don’t mature by ignoring your life. You mature by taking hold of your life.” Rich Plass
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