A New Living Translation of 1 Peter 1:15
"But just as the One who called you is holy, so be holy in all that you do."
Directions for Fictional Narrative Writing Prompt
Prompt Title: The Call to Holiness
Setting: A bustling city on a warm summer evening, where the streets are illuminated by colorful lights and the energy of the crowd fills the air. The characters find themselves at a community volunteer event aimed at helping those in need.
Characters:
- Jasmine: A compassionate and driven volunteer coordinator, dedicated to making a difference in her community.
- Lisa: A skeptic who questions the motivations behind charity but is open to understanding more about the people she helps.
- Bruce: A former athlete struggling to find his purpose after his career ended, inspiring others through his personal journey.
- Charlie: A young artist with a passion for storytelling, eager to capture the experiences of those around him through his art.
- Shawn: A wise and patient mentor, guiding the younger volunteers and reminding them of the importance of integrity and purpose in their actions.
Writing Instructions:
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Opening Scene: Begin your narrative with the characters arriving at the volunteer event. Describe the excitement and energy in the air, contrasting it with Lisa’s skepticism. Introduce Jasmine as she passionately explains the importance of the event and the theme of holiness in their actions.
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Conflict: Create a situation where an unexpected challenge arises during the event—perhaps a misunderstanding between the volunteers and the people they’re helping leads to tension. Lisa’s doubts surface, sparking a debate among the characters about the true meaning of holiness and how it applies to their actions.
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Character Development:
- Jasmine: Show her trying to encourage the group to remain focused on their mission despite the chaos, illustrating her commitment to being a beacon of hope.
- Lisa: Dive into her internal struggle. Through conversations with the group, let her grapple with her skepticism and begin to see the heartfelt reasons behind volunteering.
- Bruce: Explore his desire to connect with the community, revealing how his past experiences shape his current outlook on helping others and striving for holiness.
- Charlie: Use his artistic perspective to highlight the beauty in everyone’s stories, expressing the importance of emotional connection and empathy.
- Shawn: Position him as the wise voice of reason throughout the event, guiding the characters to reflect on their motivations and actions, drawing them back to the idea of being holy in all they do.
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Climax: Build to a moment of unity where the team comes together to solve the conflict. Through their combined efforts, they demonstrate the very essence of holiness that they are striving for, showcasing compassion and understanding.
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Resolution: Conclude the narrative with a reflection from each character on how the experience changed their perspective on holiness and their roles in the community. Include Jasmine’s thoughts on how they all embody the call to holiness through their kind actions, and Lisa’s acceptance of this truth.
- Message: Emphasize the overarching theme—holiness is not just a religious ideal but a call to live with integrity, compassion, and purpose in all aspects of life, especially in how they treat others.
Feel free to add your unique twists to the characters and plot as you develop your narrative!
