What are the kinds of stories you tell? When you experience something new or unexpected, like a good meal, a new achievement or milestone, a great adventure, it’s likely you’ll want to share it with someone else. Followers of Jesus are invited into a rhythm of celebration through sharing stories, but not just any kind of stories. Mark shares a story of Jesus’ resurrection:

“Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.”

Jesus invites people into the story, where observers become participants. The angel says to the witnesses of an empty tomb, “Go and tell…” Here’s how to tell simple, powerful stories through a tool called the 15-Second Transformation Story. The symbols <+> represent a way to share your story like this:

< Begin by thinking of two words or phrases that mark who you were at a time in your life before meeting Jesus. Maybe you've known him all your life, but God is always up to something! What's a time in your life when God invited you to more?
+ Then, Jesus got involved! What kind of change has come into your life because of Jesus?Think about the moment you pointed your lives towards Jesus and made Him the center of your story.
> Next, think of two words or phrases that mark who you're becoming as you walk with Jesus today. Put it all together and see how things go went from less than to greater than, from struggling to more alive!
Then comes the most important part. End your 15-second story with, "Do you have a story like that?" That simple question makes intentional, safe space for the people around you to consider who Jesus is to them - a stranger to an old friend.

Mark might’ve told this kind of story: “There was a time in my life when we thought we would be grieving the loss of our friend, but now, with Jesus, we are trying to understand what it means that He is risen!” Or “There was a time in my life when we thought our time with Jesus was over. But then Jesus showed us death can’t hold him and that he has more in mind. Do you have a story like that?”

Jesus’ resurrection was a one-time forever, historical event, and the resurrection is written over and over again in the lives of his people. So, what stories are you telling? Mary’s story led many to come and see a risen Jesus. What is your story leading people to come and see Jesus?

Share Your Resurrection Story