Gospel Fluency* - Part Four: Exploring this at a heart level Although we often believe that our stories are about ourselves, they are Pointing to Jesus actually about God for “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Everything about us points back to God, and every struggle we overcome and every blessing we enjoy points to Jesus as the hero.

Summary 2) As you think about your life, can you see where Jesus is the hero of the story? Can you see how even before you were born, Jesus was We all deal with troubles, trials, and relationship issues. That’s part of set on rescuing you from slavery to sin? Can you see God’s work living in a fallen world and it’s painful. As we look around us for something throughout your life story, saving you, redeeming you, and giving or someone to save us, often trying to solve our own problems through our you purpose? own strength. He is the better when we are afraid, or weak, or wanting. He is the better; the hero in our stories.

If you’re following along in the book, this sermon offers Applying it to our lives insights gained from: Jesus is the hero of our stories. Always. The way in which we tell our own Chapter 10: Eating to Remember stories reveals whether we truly believe that. Practice telling your story Chapter 11: He’s the Better through the lens of the gospel, revealing the supporting role we play in our Chapter 12: The Hero of our Story own lives with Jesus as the hero.

3) Practice telling your story in the following four key movements. Getting the discussion going Then, rewrite your story through the lens of the gospel, with Jesus as the main character and hero of the story. What was shared today that particularly impacted you? a. Creation - who or what gave us existence and shaped us early on? What are you dealing with right now that you are trying to resolve in your b. Fall – what has worked to destroy your identity or own strength? purpose? c. Redemption – who or what do you seek to rescue you? Thinking it through d. New creation – what has changed you and what is the ultimate change you are longing for? Think about your own story as part of the one true story of God. The hero will be the character you most talk about, most make the center of the 4) As you hear the stories of others, listen for the hero of their story. Often, it will become clear that they may not really know Jesus at action. all; how He is the true hero of their story. Your growth in gospel 1) Is Jesus the hero of your story? Or is your story focused on your fluency may begin right there as you share the gospel with them, showing them where, at every turn, Jesus loved them, rescued own failings, successes, hurts, or attempts to rescue yourself? them, and is at work in them today.