Tales of the Trees:  The Backstage Tree Luke 2:39-52 Five Thoughts on the Backstage1. The backstage is where the first Christmas took place. 2. The backstage is where Jesus lived most of his life. 3. The backstage was the place that Jesus seemed to crave. 4. The backstage is typically where God does his best work. 5. The backstage is really the most important part of our story.storylines prompt:Reflect on some of the backstage experiences of your life.  What were they like—and how did they affect you?

Tales of the Trees: The Relationship Tree Romans 12:9-21 Five Steps to Better Holiday Relationships1. Show respect.    Give them their “place.” 2. Practice hospitality.  Create a space. 3. Offer empathy.  Simply embrace. 4. Pursue peace.  Offer much grace. 5. Overcome with good.  Set the pace. storylines prompt:Imagine a conversation with a person you will encounter this Christmas, - like “Know-It-All Neil” or “Crabby Kathleen.”   Write out how you could respond to those people (and situations).

The Story of You: You and Your Future Judges 6:11-23Gideon’s Story / Your Story1. Your story is part of a bigger story.2. Your story is more about God than it is about you.3. Your story has far more potential than what you realize.4. Your story will likely require you to leave your comfort zone.5. Your story isn’t so much about what you do as it is about who you become.Your story is waiting on your next step. storylines prompt:Write a brief fictional story about God interrupting you in some daily task.  What is the conversation like?  What might the next chapter of your story be?   The Story of You Worksheet

The Story of You: You and Your Choices Genesis 13:1-13, 2 Peter 2:7,8 Lot and his choice(s):1. To address the symptom and not the real issue.2. To opt for the short term over the long game.3. To pursue himself over all others.4. To isolate from his spiritual mentor.5. To let bad choices compound.6. To become someone different from who he was. You and your story:1. Every choice has consequence.2. Choices determine direction, but they also form character.3. Good choices require the examination of objectives, options, and outcomes.4. The “why’s” of a choice are more important than the “what’s.”5. We are all prone to making poor choices.6. The choices you make become the story you are writing. storylines prompt:Write about a decision you are facing—or have recently faced—but in third person about yourself.  Tease out the actual options and outcomes and follow the paths that unfold. 

The Story of You: You and your Relationships 1 Kings 2:1-10The List of CharactersDavid...Solomon...Joab...Barzillai...Shimei ... Your story and your relationships1. You need to make your relationship with God your first priority.2. You need to understand how much impact the characters in your story have.   3. You need to discern the roles of characters in your story.—and the impact they have (or have had) on you.4. You need a plan to deal with various types of characters. A.  You need to negate the negative. B.  You need to pursue the positive. C.  You need to be very cautious with the complicated.   storylines prompt:Choose a character in your story who has impacted you and write a character description of him/her focusing on how that person has been able to impact you.

The Story of You: You and the World1 John 2:15-17 Do not Love the World: 1st – Because of What the World Is 2nd – Because of What the World Does to Us Three Traps of the World:#1 – Lust of the flesh #2 – Lust of the eyes #3 – Pride of Life 3rd – Because of Where the World is Going   Positive Reward:     If You Do the Will of the Father, You Will Live Forever  storylines prompt:How has the world and its influence been keeping you from loving God? What steps can you take this week to not love the world but to pursue God as you live in the world? 

The Story of You:  You and Your Thoughts Philippians 4:4-9 1. You can and must choose your thoughts.              Our thoughts determine our…ActionsWordsEmotionsAttitudesOutlookCharacter Story 2. You need to challenge what you “hear.” 3. You have to “chew on” good thoughts. 4. You can change the plot line of your story!storylines prompt:This is a conversation I have had / or need to have with myself...

The Story of You You and Your Soul Genesis 1-31. You were created by God.2. You were created to look like God.3. You were created to be a spiritual being –with a soul. A. Your soul is the essence of who you are. B. Your soul is how/where you connect to God. C. Your soul is where your story plays out. D. Your story is how you match your soul to your purpose.4. You have a responsibility for your soul.5. You do damage to your soul any time you choose self over God.6. God is all about restoring fractured souls.7. Your story will only be as good as the condition of your soul. storylines prompt:When I pay attention to my soul this is what I see / this is what my soul needs… 

The Story of You You and Your Authentic Self Romans 7:14-8:51. So what is the objective? Harmony.2. And what needs to be the approach? Humility.3. How about the pathway? Honesty. The Holy Spirit. 4. What is the danger? Hiding. Hypocrisy. Inner havoc. storylines prompt:This is the me that I would like to be—and this is why I want to be that person:

The Story of You:  You and Your Past Genesis 50:15-21 Questions to exploreWhat are the key experiences in the past that are a part of your story?How have those moments become a part of your story—because they have! How can you lessen the power of the negative and leverage the power of the positive? Writing a response to your past1. Identify the evil.  2. Acknowledge the source.3. Allow for God.4. Look for some good.5. Focus on the future.6. Live in grace.