Retreat Sermon
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Richard Sutton began the retreat session by sharing a humorous anecdote about receiving a new golf shirt, then shifted to a lively discussion about famous storytellers such as C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, Louis L'Amour, George Lucas, and J.R. Tolkien. He argued that stories are essential because they reveal who we are, where we currently stand, and where we are headed—whether in culture, history, or Scripture. Sutton emphasized that the Bible itself is a compilation of 600‑800 stories, with 236 pivotal events that dramatically altered lives and nations, and that these divine narratives are God’s chosen method for communicating His love, purpose, and redemption. He then turned the class to Matthew chapter 13, noting that Jesus taught primarily through parables—seven stories told back‑to‑back that illustrate the kingdom of God. Using the Parable of the Sower and the Mustard Seed, Sutton showed how the Word of God falls on different kinds of hearts, producing varied spiritual fruit. By sharing personal testimonies from members like Butch, Zach, and Clint, he illustrated how real‑life stories of redemption echo biblical narratives, reinforcing the central message that God’s story shapes our identity and calls us to become storytellers of grace. The class concluded with a call to embrace the biblical story, letting it inform personal purpose and community witness, underscoring the transformative power of God‑authored narratives.