Gospel Stories: Telling & Listening
We encourage all DNA Groups to share their stories with one another in order to know each other more deeply as they seek to form discipling relationships together. As each of you takes the time to prepare for sharing your story, use the following guide and tips on how to both tell your own story and actively listen to someone else’s story.
Telling Gospel Stories
Though our stories are about our own lives, our stories are really about God, the true hero and main character. Your story is about God’s redemption of a broken person. When telling your story, you can use the four elements of the gospel story to point to God’s work in your life. Before you begin, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in reflecting on and sharing your story.
Creation (Origin and Identity)
We are all shaped by our origins, and who or what we have found our identity and worth in. As you begin your story, talk about your background and family life, early shaping influences, and what you believed about God.
Who or what most shaped your understanding of yourself? What were the sources of your sense of personal value and identity?
Fall (Brokenness and Blame)
We all sense the brokenness all around us, and at some point we come to recognize the brokenness within ourselves. Think about some of the painful experiences of your life - what was broken, and how did you try to fix the brokenness yourself? Think about your own sin and your failed attempts at fixing it.
How was your relationship with God and others not the way God created it to be? Why?
Redemption (Rescue and Deliverance)
We all look to created things to rescue us, but Jesus is the only one who can save us. Describe how trusting in Jesus saved you from the brokenness in your life and redeemed specific broken parts of your story. What people or things failed you and how did the Spirit lead you to putting your faith in Jesus (did he use a person, the Bible, a specific experience, a message, etc.)?
How has Jesus redeemed and rescued you through His death on the cross? How did you come to put your faith and trust in Him to save you and restore your life to the way God intended it to be?
Restoration (Hope and Transformation)
Because of what Jesus has done, restoration has begun, and the Spirit is making us more like Jesus while we are still living in a broken world. Talk about what the Spirit is doing in your life now and what evidences of his grace you’ve seen as you continue to grow in him.
What has changed and is changing in your life now? Who and what is the focus of your life today?
Story Telling Tips:
Keep your story to about ten minutes long.
Consider writing out your story beforehand or practicing with someone close to you - and just use your normal, everyday language.
Don’t fear what others will think as you are honest and open with them - God fully knows and loves you and wants to use your story to share more about himself with other people.
Listening to Gospel Stories
While we strive to be good story tellers, we should also aim to be good story listeners! Actively listening and engaging with other’s stories will help us know each other better and spur one another on in our faith. As you listen to others share their stories, aim to actively listen, encourage them, and ask thoughtful questions. Practicing these skills will not only be helpful when telling your stories, but also as you disciple one another through your regular DNA Group meetings!
Active Listening
Actively listening to others is a way to show love and respect as they open their heart to you. As you listen to someone share their story, stay attentive, giving them cues to let them know you’re engaged, and making mental notes of things you notice or hear. Here’s some things to listen for:
Emotional words: “I’m angry,” “I was really hurt”
Self-talk: “I am such a failure,” “I am never good enough”
God-talk: “How could God let this happen to me?”
Patterns of behavior, destructive or repeated sin
Sources of comfort and fulfillment
Relationships: abuse/neglect, childhood experiences
And here’s just a few ways to practice active listening:
Pay attention and use your body language (eye contact, nodding, etc.) to let them know you’re tuned in; avoid rehearsing what you’ll say next and allow them time to finish all their thoughts before responding.
Keep an open mind as you hear new ideas and perspectives, being careful to avoid judgment or a fix-it mentality.
Reflect back to them what you hear by summarizing, paraphrasing, and asking clarifying questions to confirm you accurately understand what they are saying.
Encouragement
Sharing your story can be difficult and vulnerable. Be sure to encourage those who have opened up and shared their own stories with you. Here’s some ideas:
Thank them for being willing to share and let them know you felt privileged to hear it.
Point out one way that you saw God at work in their story and tell them how it was encouraging to you.
Encourage those who are in the midst of a difficult part of their story to keep their eyes on Him and to keep watching for their heart responses in the midst of their trial.
Ask Questions
Ask a couple questions after they finish sharing their story to clarify anything they said or dig a little deeper. Some ideas:
Will you tell us more about your relationship with your parents?
How did you feel when that event happened? How is it still impacting you now?
Where are you still struggling to believe the gospel? Where do you see God at work in your life now?
To learn more about DNA Groups or how to join one, visit our DNA Groups page!
*The material in this blog post is borrowed from Growing in Christ Together, an interactive book to use with your DNA Group.