FIRSTSTEP WEEK 1

Your Story

Our Three Basic Values

Jesus Himself instructed us to embrace three fundamental values through the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

The Great Commandment

Luke 10:25–27 (NIV)

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Your Story

Each of Us Has a Story

Each of us has lived a unique life with a wide variety of experiences, joys, heartaches, successes, failures, challenges, plans, hopes, and dreams. All of these are important aspects of your journey here on earth. Understanding your story within the framework of your relationship with Jesus provides your story with incredible meaning and purpose.

You have a story: who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming.

Scripture References

Ephesians 2:1-2, 13 (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world... But now in Christ Jesus you...have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Revelation 1:5-6 (NIV)

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV)

...You show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

...I press on to lay ahold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Questions

In light of these Scriptures, how might you answer the following questions? Your answers may give you remarkable and perhaps surprising insights into the unique nature, purpose, and direction of your journey with God.

1. What were you like before you became a Christian? What was your life like?

2. How did you come to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

3. What changes has God brought to your life as you have yielded to and followed Him?

4. What passions, purposes, goals, and plans has God brought into your life?

5. What is God currently doing in your life?

6. What blessings and breakthroughs are you experiencing?

7. What challenges are you currently facing?

8. How is God leading you to face and overcome these challenges?

You Can Share Your Story

Sharing your story can build your faith and strengthen your relationship with Jesus. But, your story is not just for you. Your story can also be a source of inspiration and hope to others. Your story can be an inspiring example of the love and power of Jesus.

Scripture References

Share to Grow

Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Share to Win

Revelation 12:11 (NIV 84)

And they overcame him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Share to Bless

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV 84)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Going Deeper

Take some time to think about and write down how you would answer the following questions: