Setting: The time and place of the story

Think for a moment of your life as a story written by God. He thought out the plot of your story long before you were born. He determined the setting for your life- the place you were born, and the time you came into the world. If you allow Him, He will lead you in every move so that your setting is always what He chooses for you.

Plot: A series of events selected by the author to present and bring about the solution of some conflict. In a carefully constructed plot, the events are arranged in a pattern so that each event follows from the one before it. The “pattern of events” lead to the climax, or turning point, of the story. The conflict is solved in the conclusion. The plot of our lives is also planned by God. He leads us according to His plan, giving us wonderful benefits and opportunities.

Conflict: The struggle that make up the story

A.      Man versus man : Arguments, fighting, war, between two or more characters

B.      Man versus nature: Animals, weather, landscape, topography

C.      Man versus self: Pain, discontentment, hatred, fears, inner emotions

D.      Man versus God: Relationship, identification without Christ, hatred

We learn that a short story must have conflict to be interesting. No life is completely peaceful. Every life has times of stress and trouble. These are allowed by God not to hurt us but to help us. He allows conflicts to teach us to lean on Him, to make us strong, and to help us learn our own weakness and unworthiness.

Pattern of Events: Events of the story

Climax: Most exciting part of the story

Conclusion: The ending of the story or resolution - A solution to a conflict

Characterization: The people in the story who show what they are by what they do. Characterization is the showing of a person’s inner self through his/her actions. Sometimes we think we can impress people by acting like a Christian even though our hearts are not in it. God knows, however. He sees the inner self we may hide from others. “…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7. We do not often fool others, however. The saying “Actions speak louder than words” is true. We reveal our true selves in our actions even when we do not intend to. That is why it is so important for us to make our actions support the good words we say.

Theme: The one great truth the story teaches

Spiritual Application: Applying God’s truths to our lives. How can a Christian, then, make his life story one that will please God and help others? First, by allowing God to control every move he/she makes. Second, by making his heart right and his actions follow.