10/23 Discussion: Share your story

Awkward YouTube Video: Tell me your story – song (3:24)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuMle76Li9E

What is the benefit of talking to each other?

What is the most common way you get to get to know your friends better?

What is the most common way you make new friends?

What is one way some of your friendships have ended?

What is the most meaningful conversation you have had with someone you did not know very well? How did that conversation get started?

What keeps you from sharing your story with others?

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” -1 Peter 3:13-15 NIV

Make time to have meaningful conversations with others, and share your story with others. Practicing this can enhance our connection with others, and builds our community. Listening to others tell their story is also an important skill most of us would benefit to develop. Sometimes others are more willing to listen to those who have listened to them already. If you are a follower of Jesus, your story can include the decision you made and how it has continued to changed you. 

Would you like to hear a part of my story?

I used to be pretty quiet many years ago. People thought I was just shy, and maybe I was a little, but I didn’t think I was. I just didn’t want to speak unless I had something to say.  Over time, I had thought about many things and developed a confident opinion about some things, and grown in my beliefs and learned from life experiences, and now I feel more comfortable talking with others about more things. I don’t think I have mentally changed that much, but others may think I am more approachable now. If the topic of conversation is about celebrities, television shows, video games, professional sports or car engine modifications, I may just listen and not be contributing much to a conversation, but if the conversation is about faith, family, exercise, recreation, nutrition, health, relationships, habits, technology, ideas, organization, or goal setting – I have a lot more to say about that.

I was invited to a party last Saturday, for a supervisor at work that had retired. I expected to be there for maybe an hour or two, because it was people I knew from work, but don’t typically talk to much outside of work. I brought Karyn with me, and we had several conversations with many different people, and ended up staying there pretty late talking with others about lots of different things. In the weeks leading up to the event, I was thinking about not even going to the party at all, but I did go, and had a pretty good time and was glad that I went. I think Karyn is generally better in those sorts of social situations, so I have more fun when she is with me. Often it is good for me to think about areas where I should push myself to go slightly beyond what seems comfortable and convenient, because connecting with people I don’t know very well can be a good thing too. 

I would like to connect with many of you too, some of you do write a little in your notebooks and turn them in to us, but maybe you might have a little more to say if we hung out and had a meal, a hike, or a bike ride together one day. Let me know what you think might work for you. 

-Ezra