The Story We're In
Sunday, April 12, 2026
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!"
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 — The One Story
Scripture tells one big story with four movements:
- Creation — God made everything good. He made humans in his image to rule and care for his world. Not pets. Not robots. Image-bearers.
- Fall — Humans rebelled. The moment they said "I'll write my own story." Sin broke everything — our relationship with God, each other, and creation itself.
- Rescue — God didn't abandon us. He entered the story. (Preview: Jesus, coming weeks.)
- Restoration — "I am making everything new." The story has a good ending, and we already know what it is.
Where are we now? Between Rescue and Restoration. Jesus has won, but the story isn't over yet.
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.
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?
- Which 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?
This Week
Read the reflection guide before next Sunday. Come with one note and one question.
Full Resources (Handout & Reflection) View Reflection GuideMissed This Week?
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