Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whenever people ask me why I write fiction instead of non-fiction (besides this Bible study), I point to Jesus.

He made up stories all the time that went a long way toward making the Gospel clear to people.

When I teach youth, I almost always start with a story and sprinkle one or two more in through the message to keep their attention. They are usually true stories but told like I were a narrator in a book. When told well, you should see the looks on their faces especially when I get to the intense parts.

The stories I tell in my books are sometimes true stories adapted for the characters. Sometimes I make them up out of thin air. Either way, they capture the reader’s attention and bring the book to life for them. The subtle messages presented in my novels come out through the stories.

So, when that story of something that happened in your life or something you made up that may be amusing or suspenseful, write it down.

Your stories can positively affect the lives of others.

Conversely, if you’re spending your time reading stories that discourage or taint your thought life, I would encourage you to realize that those stories have influence on you and are best left behind.

Do you have a story that needs to be shared?
Are there stories you read that have a negative impact on you?