4. Gospel Listening
Learn to hear stories shaped by God’s story.
Everyone’ story is shaped by God’s story, whether they (or we) realize it or not. What if we could hear the intersections between peoples’ stories and God in everyday life?
The story that shapes us is what we call “identity” — wouldn’t those stories come out as we share our life with others?
The Story that shapes us is God’s story — would even a non-believer have a story shaped by His story?
The Gospel Story changes everything in our stories — could the Gospel story find its way into others’ stories too?
The story of God shaping theirs.
The story of God can be summarized in four major movements: creation, fall, redemption, restoration. These four parts show up in everyone’s stories if we learn to hear it.
Creation | Everyone has a fundamental belief about their origin — who or what made them who they are. Listen for who or what they credit (or blame) for who they are today. Who do they credit (or blame) for the situation they find themselves in?
Fall | Everyone has a fundamental belief about the cause of brokenness in the world — and their desire for it to be made right, or for justice. People blame family, friends, bosses, and governments; someone or something is always at fault and deserves punishment of some kind. Listen for why they think things and people are not the way they should be. How do they define the way things are supposed to be and who changed that?
Redemption | Everyone has a fundamental belief about the remedy for brokenness in the world — or a “savior” they trust to redeem the brokenness in their life. Some look to philosophy, personal growth, education, or politics. Listen for who or what they think will improve the way things are. Who or what will rescue them? Who or what will redeem what is broken in their life?
Restoration | Everyone has a fundamental belief about the picture of the future — what we can hope will one day be, or the future when everything is as it should be. Some see a utopia, a great unity, a new reality for marriage, children, jobs, etc. Listen for what they want to be better, a restoration of what they believe their world should be like. What will the world or their circumstance look like when all is as it should be? Who or what will be the focus of this new world/situation?
Scripture to discover
Look up the list of Scripture texts below and discover the questions God asks in each one. How does He ask and listen to us?
Genesis 3:9
Exodus 4:11-13
Job 38:4-11
Isaiah 44:7
Mark 8:27-30
Matthew 12:48-50
Matthew 20:32-34
Questions to discuss
Grab a blank sheet of paper and write a few thoughts in response to these questions. When you gather as a GC, you can draw on these responses in your discussion.
Think about all the conversations you have in any given day, week or month. How much importance do you place on each conversation? How does the idea of “gospel listening” change the importance you might put on conversations?
How does the reality that God is in all the details of everyone’s story change the way you listen? How would you rate yourself as a listener now?
How might being a good listener even display what God is really like for people? What does it communicate to others when we take time to focus in, ask good questions, and truly listen?
When we talk to others, do we listen “alone” or with a Helper? How could the Holy Spirit be a part of your listening practice? Or how could you join the Holy Spirit as you listen to others?
Thoughts to engage
Grab a blank sheet of paper and write a few thoughts in response to these questions. These get more into your experience of the Gospel and may be something you can discuss with others in your GC.
Do you consider yourself a good listener — why or why not? Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 7 with your (a) friends, (b) family, (c) co-workers, (d) GC members, and (e) God.
Spend time recalling a few conversations from your last week. How can you see God “in their story”?
Creation | Who or what do they credit (or blame) for the situation they find themselves in?
Fall | How do they define the way things are supposed to be and who changed that?
Redemption | Who or what will rescue them? Who or what will redeem what is broken in their life?
Restoration | What will the world or their circumstance look like when all is as it should be? Who or what will be the focus of this new world/situation?
Pick better questions — which of these could you see yourself using with others? The questions below are ideas you might use to ask better questions that get at motives behind our stories. Select 2-3 and write them down in a note to practice and use this week.
Who is the most frustrating person, thing, or situation in your life right now? (Why is this so important to you? Why is this upsetting to you?)
What is giving you the greatest hope for the future right now? (What if that goes away? How would God’s view of you change if this did/didn’t work out?)
What things in your life do you think God is pleased about right now? (Who is ultimately responsible for this in your world? How would God’s view of you change if this did/didn’t work out?)
Is your concern for money or desires for things making it hard to enjoy God and simple living? (How’s that working for you? Are you finding deep satisfaction from this thing or person? What if that goes away?)
What are your hopes and dreams for your spouse and kids or close friends? (How would God’s view of you/them change if this did/didn’t work out?)
Make up your own suggestion!