Embracing New Seasons: Redefining Our Stories in Faith

So often, we find ourselves living out stories—narratives about who we are, what we can do, and what we can’t—that have been shaped by our past, by what others have said, or even by our own experiences and failures. Sometimes, these stories are based on lies or misunderstandings, but more often, the most difficult ones to escape are those that contain a measure of truth. Like the Israelites who saw real giants and real chariots in the Promised Land, or like Jesus in the wilderness, tempted with real hunger and real Scripture, we can get stuck in stories that are not entirely false. The challenge is not just to ignore the lies, but to move beyond the truths that threaten to define and confine us.

God’s pattern throughout Scripture is to move His people from one season to another, never allowing them to remain stuck in a single story. The wilderness was never meant to be a permanent address for Jesus, the Israelites, or for us. Seasons change, but God’s purpose remains. Even when the truth about our past is undeniable—our failures, our pain, our limitations—there is always another truth that God speaks over us: that we are redeemed, that we are called, that we are being led into something new.

It’s easy to let our identity get wrapped up in what we’ve always done or who we’ve always been. Whether it’s a role in church, a family history, or a personal struggle, we can become so attached to our story that we resist the new season God is calling us into. But God’s word to us is clear: don’t get stuck. The story is not the destination; it’s just a season. There is always another word, another truth, another chapter that God wants to write in our lives.

Moving forward may not be comfortable or easy. It may mean letting go of things that once defined us, or stepping into roles that feel unfamiliar. But God is faithful to lead us through, and His promise is that our purpose is not tied to a single story or season. Instead, He invites us to trust Him, to step out in faith, and to believe that He is always able to change the story and bring us into a new season of blessing and purpose.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Power and Danger of True Stories The most confining stories in our lives are not always based on lies, but on truths—truths about our past, our failures, or our limitations. These truths can become prisons if we allow them to define us, rather than seeing them as just one part of a larger journey. God calls us to recognize that while these things may be true, they are not the whole truth about who we are in Him. [44:31]
• 2. There Is Always Another Truth When confronted with the truth of our circumstances, we must remember that God always has another word to speak over us. Just as Jesus responded to Satan’s use of Scripture with, “It is also written,” we too must learn to hold onto the greater truth of God’s promises, even when the facts of our situation seem overwhelming. This discernment is key to moving forward into God’s purpose. [45:43]
• 3. Seasons Change, Purpose Remains Our roles, circumstances, and even our abilities may change with time, but God’s purpose for our lives does not. Holding too tightly to a particular season or identity can cause us to miss what God wants to do next. Embracing change, even when it’s uncomfortable, is essential for stepping into the new things God has prepared for us. [49:54]
• 4. Don’t Let Pain or Disappointment Become Your Permanent Address Legitimate hurts, disappointments, and injustices are real, but they are not meant to be the end of our story. If we allow ourselves to get stuck in these places, we limit God’s ability to bring healing and usher us into a new season. God’s invitation is to move through the pain, not to make it our identity. [57:37]
• 5. Obedience in the Wilderness Leads to Promise The wilderness is often a place of testing, discomfort, and hunger, but it is also a place where God prepares us for what’s next. Choosing to obey God, even when it means letting go of what’s familiar or comfortable, positions us to receive His promise. The story may be hard, but it is not the end—God is always writing a new chapter. [63:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [33:01] - The Value of Gathering Together
• [36:25] - Personal Stories and Changing Narratives
• [37:45] - How Stories Shape Our Identity
• [38:24] - The Power of Words and Belief
• [39:35] - When the Truth Hurts
• [43:53] - The Israelites: Stuck in a True Story
• [44:31] - The Danger of Getting Stuck in Truth
• [45:43] - Jesus’ Response: “It Is Also Written”
• [47:26] - Seasons Change in Ministry and Life
• [49:54] - Letting Go of Old Identities
• [51:22] - Worship Beyond Roles
• [52:29] - Learning from the Past, Embracing the Future
• [54:43] - Setting Up the Next Generation
• [57:37] - Moving Through Pain and Disappointment
• [59:36] - The Devil Attacks Where We Are Weak
• [63:07] - Prayer for Freedom and New Seasons

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Stuck in the Story”

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Bible Reading

Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

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Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 4:1-11, what tactics does the devil use to tempt Jesus, and how does Jesus respond each time?
2. According to the sermon, what was significant about the Israelites’ report after spying out the Promised Land? Was it based on lies or truth? [[44:31]]
3. The pastor shared personal stories about changing roles in church (from drummer to saxophone player to clapping in worship). What did these stories illustrate about seasons and identity? [[49:54]]
4. What does Jesus mean when he says, “It is also written,” in response to the devil’s use of Scripture? [[45:43]]

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it sometimes harder to move past stories about ourselves that are partly true, rather than those that are outright lies? [[44:31]]
2. How does Jesus’ response to the devil in the wilderness show us how to handle the “truths” about our own weaknesses or past? [[45:43]]
3. The sermon says, “The story is not the destination; it’s just a season.” What does this mean for someone who feels defined by their past mistakes or pain? [[57:37]]
4. What does it look like to “not get stuck” in a story or season, especially when it’s something that once defined you or gave you purpose? [[49:54]]

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Application Questions

1. Can you think of a “story” or label about yourself (from your past, your family, or your own failures) that you’ve let define you? What would it look like to let God write a new chapter? [[44:31]]
2. The Israelites’ story was based on real giants and real challenges, not just rumors. Are there real obstacles in your life that you’ve allowed to become the whole story? How might God be inviting you to see “another truth”? [[44:31]]
3. The pastor shared about letting go of being a drummer and then a saxophone player. Is there a role, title, or identity you’re holding onto that God might be asking you to release? How does that make you feel? [[49:54]]
4. When have you been tempted to stay in a place of pain, disappointment, or comfort because it felt safer than moving forward? What would it look like to trust God for a new season, even if it’s uncomfortable? [[57:37]]
5. Jesus responded to the devil’s temptations with “It is also written.” What are some promises or truths from God’s Word that you need to speak over your own life when you’re confronted with discouraging facts or memories? [[45:43]]
6. The sermon said, “If you focus on your story, you may miss God’s season.” Is there an area where you sense God is calling you to step out in faith, but you’re hesitating because of your current story or comfort zone? [[01:00:29]]
7. What practical step can you take this week to move forward from an old story or season—whether it’s forgiving someone, trying something new, or letting go of a label? [[57:37]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to let go of old stories and to trust God for the new season He is leading them into. Pray for discernment to know when a season is ending and for faith to step into what’s next.