Jesus Changed My Life
About a week and a half ago, the Gospel Coalition and Reality L.A. began challenging people to share their story as a means to invite people to participate in Easter gatherings virtually. As our circumstances of social distancing put forth by COVID-19 continue, we want to encourage you to do the same. We know that in the midst of a COVID-19 world, where things might seem hopeless, we have the ultimate hope of the Gospel. We want to be good stewards of this season, and because it is likely that people are spending time scrolling through their phones with increased amounts of time spent at home, we want to be communicators of the truth of the Gospel on these various social media platforms.
WHY SHARE?
When we share stories about how Jesus changed and is changing our lives by allowing us to behold, obey, and be transformed by the Gospel, we communicate important truths to believers and unbelievers alike.
For the believer, seeing and hearing these stories allows Hebrews 10:23-25 to come to fruition: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” In a season where we cannot physically gather, we have to find creative ways to allow these verses to be true in our lives.
For the unbeliever, seeing and hearing these stories is a simple way for us to steward these social media platforms to communicate various truths, including those from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, which says “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” God chose to take us, insignificant in and of ourselves, and reconcile ourselves to him, making us his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Not that he needed us to accomplish his purposes, but that he chose to use us in his goodness. If we have experienced a story of beholding, obeying and being transformed by the gospel, then it is not for us to keep to ourselves but to share with everyone!
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
Create a short video of how the Lord has transformed or is transforming you through beholding him. At the end of your video, invite people who are viewing to ask questions and even join us for an online gathering by pointing them to our website (doxaop.church) and tagging our social media pages, @doxa_church on Instagram and facebook.com/doxachurchop.
Share your video to your social media and tag us in the accounts above. Make sure to include the #JesusChangedMyLife as well!
Pray for the people that will see these videos, believers and unbelievers alike. Pray that they would be encouraged, that it would open the door to conversations about Gospel transformation, and that they would gather with us online (and physically, once COVID-19 is over!). Pray expectantly, asking that the Lord would change hearts and allow people to begin their own beholding and being transformed by the Gospel.
SHARING YOUR STORY GUIDE*
SELFIE PRACTICES*
Here are some best practices for shooting yourself on your phone.
Simple, clean backdrops are ideal – Avoid distracting backgrounds or crowed spaces.
In natural light – Avoid backlighting. The main source of light should be facing you, not behind you.
In artificial light – Avoid standing directly below an overhead light or anything else that creates hard shadows. Consider using a stand lamp several feet away for good indirect light.
Shoot eye level – Shooting from above or below will make you seem diminished or imposing. Eye level communicates accessibility.
Clean your camera – Make sure the lens of your selfie camera is clean before shooting.
Shoot portrait – Align your phone vertically.
DOWNLOADABLE MATERIALS
We created some art assets to be used on social media and videos, please feel free to download them!
*Writing Your Story & Selfie Guide Are Documents From Our Friends At Reality Church