Session 37

Your story is powerful and important

From Mark: A 6-Week Devotional

Everyone loves a good story.  

Gripping stories can launch us to the edge of our seat championing for the underdog to win the big game. They bring us to tears when injustice befalls the innocent. And they make us sigh with content when everything turns out alright in the end.

Jesus told 38 parables, or stories, during His three-year ministry. He used storytelling to relate to us and communicate three facts about Himself:

1. Jesus knows what you’re going through.

In parables, Jesus used commonly known places and practical real-life examples to teach us about Him and how to have a relationship with God.

2. Jesus loves you.

Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn us, but to save us (John 3:17). He didn’t push people away but spoke truthfully by using stories, which would more often result in conviction instead condemnation.  

3. Jesus has a purpose for your story.

In Mark 4:21-34, Jesus reminds us of the power He has given us in our personal story. If we don’t share the story of how we met Jesus and how He’s changed our lives, we limit the purposeful impact Jesus wants to make through us.  

What we think is boring about our stories can be the thing people relate to and the thing Jesus uses to draw them to Himself. Our story of how we met Jesus is our greatest tool to reach those far from Jesus and teach them to follow Him step by step! Following Jesus is not a religion; it’s a relationship.

When we tell others about Jesus and how he has changed our lives, we are sharing more than words — we’re sharing the most valuable gift, the good news about Jesus!

Reflect:

• What is your story of how you met Jesus?
• How could Jesus use your story to help others know Him?
• Who is the one person you could share your story with today? Not sure who that person is? Share it with us here.