Living Translation of John 14:15
"If you truly love me, you will follow my teachings and keep my commands."
Fictional Narrative Writing Prompt: Obedience
Prompt Title: Paths of Obedience
Setting: In a futuristic world where a powerful organization known as "The Federation" governs the lives of its citizens, people are often faced with moral dilemmas that test their loyalties and beliefs.
Characters:
- Jasmine: A rebellious leader of an underground group fighting against The Federation’s oppressive rule. She values freedom and questions the notion of obedience.
- Lisa: A loyal member of The Federation, she believes in the organization’s mission and struggles with the idea of blind obedience versus personal morality.
- Bruce: A seasoned veteran in The Federation, who is beginning to have doubts about the righteousness of their commands and seeks clarity through spiritual guidance.
- Charlie: A young technician who works for The Federation, but dreams of a life outside of its control, he is caught between loyalty to his job and desire for freedom.
- Shawn: A neutral party who believes in unity and finds himself mediating between pro-Federation and anti-Federation groups. He embodies the struggle of understanding obedience from different perspectives.
Directions:
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Character Development: Begin by exploring each character’s background and motivations for their beliefs about obedience. What experiences have shaped their views? How do they relate to the theme of obedience presented in John 14:15?
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Conflict Introduction: Set up a scenario in which Jasmine and her underground group plan a mission that challenges The Federation’s authority. Have Lisa, Bruce, Charlie, and Shawn react to this news, showcasing their differing opinions about what to do next.
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Moral Dilemma: As the plan unfolds, introduce a situation where the characters must decide between following the Federation’s orders or obeying their personal convictions. Highlight how their choices reflect their understanding of love and obedience as suggested in the living translation of John 14:15.
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Climactic Moment: Ensure a pivotal moment where the characters must choose between loyalty to the Federation and the greater good. For instance, have them face a personal sacrifice that emphasizes their ideals about love and obedience.
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Resolution: Conclude the narrative by reflecting on the outcomes of their choices. Did they find a balance between obedience and their personal beliefs? What has changed in their relationships with each other, and how has their understanding of obedience evolved?
- Reflection: End with a personal reflection from each character about what they’ve learned regarding the nature of obedience, love, and the commands they choose to follow.
Goal: Through this narrative, delve into the complexities of obedience, the motivations behind it, and when it is appropriate to follow one’s own heart versus an imposed authority, all while relating back to the core message of love and obedience in the context of personal faith and morality.
