The Story We're In
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Big Idea
You're not the main character — but you matter to the Author of the story.
The Bible isn't a collection of rules or stories — it's one story, and we're in it.
Hook — Which Story Are You Living In?
Describe two characters: one who thinks they're the center of everything (a villain type), and one who discovers they're part of something bigger (Samwise Gamgee in LOTR). Ask: "Which one are you more like?"
Scripture — Genesis 1:26-28 and Revelation 21:1-5
Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
Walk through the four movements:
- Creation — God made humans in his image. Not pets. Not robots. Image-bearers. What does it mean to carry someone's image? (Like a child looking like their parent — you represent them.)
- Fall — The moment humans said "I'll write my own story." What does that look like today? (Doing whatever I want, ignoring consequences.)
- Rescue — God doesn't abandon the story. He enters it. (Preview: Jesus, coming weeks.)
- Restoration — "I am making everything new." The story has a good ending, and we already know what it is.
Connect — Tolkien & The Shape of Every Good Story
Tolkien was a Christian who believed all good stories echo the Great Story — because the same Author wrote them both. The "eucatastrophe" — the moment when everything seems lost and then good wins — is a reflection of the resurrection.
Every good story has: something beautiful → something broken → a sacrifice → restoration. Why? Because that's the shape of reality.
Ask: "Can you think of your favorite movie or show? Does it follow this pattern?"
Land the Plane
"If the Bible is one story, and you're in it, then your life isn't random. You have a role. The question isn't whether you're in the story — you are. The question is whether you'll play your part."
What This Means for Us
- We're not the main character — Jesus is.
- We're not watching from the sidelines — we have a role to play.
- Our lives matter because they're part of a bigger story.
- The end of the story is already written — and it's good.
Discussion Questions
- If someone asked you what the Bible is about in one sentence, what would you say?
- What part of the four-movement story (Creation, Fall, Rescue, Restoration) do you feel most connected to right now?
- How would it change the way you live this week if you really believed you're part of God's story?
Handout
One Thing to Remember: You're not the main character — but you matter to the Author.
The Bible's Story in Four Acts
| Act | What Happened | Where Are We? |
|---|---|---|
| Creation | God made everything good. He made humans in his image. | The beginning |
| Fall | Humans rebelled. Sin broke everything. | The reason the world is broken |
| Rescue | God entered the story. Jesus lived, died, and rose again. | What Jesus did |
| Restoration | God will make everything new. | Where it's all heading |
Exercise: Find the Four Acts
Pick your favorite movie, show, or book. Fill in how it follows the same pattern:
- Something beautiful —
- Something broken —
- A sacrifice —
- Restoration/hope —
Example (The Lion King): Beautiful — Simba born, pride lands thriving. Broken — Scar kills Mufasa, Simba runs. Sacrifice — Simba returns to face Scar. Restoration — Pride lands healed.
Exercise: Where Are You in the Story?
Think about your life right now. Which part of the story are you living in?
- Creation — things feel new, full of possibility, like something is beginning
- Fall — things feel broken, out of control, like something has gone wrong
- Rescue — you've seen God step in recently, something is being saved
- Restoration — you're hopeful about what's coming, you can see the finish line
This Week's Challenge
Notice the story you're living in this week. When something breaks (Fall), look for where God might be rescuing. Write down one observation before next Sunday.
Scripture for Next Week
Read Luke 15:11-32 and Romans 8:14-17
Come with one note and one question.
Reflection Guide
Core Question for Reflection
Where are you in God's story right now?
The Bible's story has four movements: Creation → Fall → Rescue → Restoration. Which one feels most like your life today? Be honest.
Questions to Help You Dig Deeper
- The Main Character Problem — Most movies and social media train us to think WE are the main character. But what if Jesus is? What would change about your decisions this week if you believed you're part of a bigger story?
- The Shape of Reality — Every good story follows the pattern: beautiful → broken → sacrifice → restoration. Think of your favorite movie. How does it follow this pattern? If this is the shape of reality, what does that tell you about the hard things in your life?
- Where Are We Now? — We're between Rescue (Jesus has won) and Restoration (the story isn't over). Where do you see God rescuing or restoring things in your life?
- Image-Bearer — You were made in God's image. You carry something of who God is into every room. How would that change the way you treat people this week?
Personal Application
Choose ONE concrete action:
- Notice the story this week — when something breaks, look for where God might be rescuing. Write down one observation.
- Watch your favorite movie or show and identify the four movements. Bring it to class.
- Read Genesis 1:26-28 slowly. Every time you see "image," stop and think: "I carry God's image."
- Tell someone this week about something God has rescued or restored in your life.
Journal Prompt
If your life is part of God's story, what chapter do you think you're in right now — and what do you think the next chapter holds?