September 01, 2023

I'm finding more and more with getting back to the basics in not just ministry, but in the Christian life in general, is that need to simply share our stories. Stories at their heart are just sharing. Take a look at history. Sure, it contains facts and all those things, but really history is just the retelling of stories. It's how we know what happened in the past.

And look at our traditions and the culture of people. Those things are maintained by the retelling of stories.

As a writer, I know stories can be a wonderful thing. Whether they are true stories or even fiction. Look how Jesus used some fiction by the way of parables to teach people when He was on earth. Stories can be so powerful!

I think in women's ministry that we don't grab hold and use the power of stories in our women's groups. Each woman sitting among you has a story. They have lifetimes of stories. They are right at our fingertips. All we have to do is work on getting those women to open up and share. Getting others to share their stories isn't always easy, but when we do, wow, it can be powerful and life-changing to those who listen to those stories.

Sharing burdens, sharing praises, sharing struggles, sharing dreams and goals, sharing about our family, sharing testimonies, and all types of sharing involves our personal stories.

You are probably aware of what Galatians 6:2 says concerning bearing each other's burdens. But have you thought about the need for sharing our burdens with others in order for them to pray? We have to tell our stories of our burdens to our sisters and brothers in Christ. I don't think we have to divulge every detail of something, but we do need to let others know when we have a burden and a need for their prayers.

And look at the many times in the Bible that we are encouraged to praise the Lord. When we start singing those praises of God and telling our stories of what the Lord has done for us, it motivates others. What a blessing a testimony of praise can be to another woman who may be thinking that prayers are never answered. What a blessing hearing another woman's story of praise can be!

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. Psalm 145:4 (KJV)

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. (KJV)

He is talking about the stories we tell to the next generation about what all God has done for our families in the past.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

Then take a look at how hearing stories of the past can maybe help us with current decisions. I think of the many stories of our biblical characters. There are things we need to remember happened, so we can avoid the pitfalls and temptations that we face in our lives.

The verses in Psalm 78 come to my mind a lot when thinking about this whole thing of what we leave behind and the stories we tell.

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. Psalm 78:6-8 (KJV)

Back in the Old Testament Moses is talking to the people and this is what he says about teaching the stories of what happened in the past to our children.

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;Deuteronomy 4:9 (KJV)

I'm saying all this to remind us that our stories are important, and we must learn to share them. I feel like a women's ministry program is a great place to do that. Especially in relation to teaching other women. Stories can be a phenomenal teaching tool. So instead of looking for special speakers, games, videos, skits, and comedians that entertain, look for the stories of your women first. It's not that those other things can't be good tools as well, but don't forget the natural blessing that simple telling of our women's stories can be to other women. Never forget the power of our stories and the impact they can leave.

Copyright ©2019 Julia Bettencourt

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