The beats from Save the Cat or the cycle of the Hero's Journey aren't just formulas, they are foundational, providing insight into what humans want from a story.
When you strip it all away, it comes down to this: the best stories reflect the greatest life ever lived, Jesus.
Opening Image/Ordinary World: Jesus is born (Luke 2)
Catalyst/Call to Adventure: Jesus preaches in the temple (Luke 2)
Debate/Accepting the Call: Jesus grows up. (Luke 2)
Debate/The Mentor: Jesus is baptized. (John 1)
Break Into Two/Crossing the Threshold: Miracle at Cana (John 2)
Fun & Games/Tests, Allies, Enemies: Calling the disciples & causing a ruckus (John 2-5)
Midpoint/The Approach: Jesus feeds the 5,000 (John 6-10)
All Is Lost/Ordeal: Lazarus raised from the dead (John 11)
Break into Three/Reward: Anointed at Bethany (John 12)
Finale/The Road Back: Return to Jerusalem for Passover (John 12-17)
Finale/Atonement: Crucifixion & Resurrection (John 18-20)
Final Image/Return with the Elixir: Ascension (John 21)
We were made for something more than this world can offer or satisfy, and that craving is reflected in the kinds of stories that are renowned and beloved long after their contemporaries.
We long for the hero who confronts darkness with light, who perseveres through obstacles & opposition with integrity, who faces death & overcomes it with love.
Stories marked by redemption, where brokenness is healed, faith is restored, hope is found, and love conquers all.
At the core of every great story is the shadow of the Gospel, beckoning the lost to return home and find life in Christ’s death, the atonement for our sins, and His resurrection, our adoption by the King.
So the next time you read a book and fall in love with it, may it be a reminder to you that it’s not by accident.
You were made for something greater than this earth can contain and stories give us a glimpse of that something more.
We were made for stories.
