Thursday, January 21, 2010

Telling the Story

Many non-literate cultures have practiced the art of oral learning for centuries. Stories are used to share the important events and beliefs of these people.

But how do you share the love of God to those who can not read and have never really heard the Gospel? Sharing a Gospel track or giving them a Bible is out! But giving them a Bible through a story is a wonderful way to communicate His Story. So, we too have a story to tell. This story has eternal significance for it’s The Story of Jesus and His love.

Storying is simply telling the redemptive account of God’s love in simple, easy to understand portions. It begins with God's creation of a perfect world, continuing with the entrance of sin into the world and His provision for our forgiveness. The Story peaks with the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Perfect Sacrifice, Jesus. And yet, we know that The Story is not finished. We wait for the 'happily ever after' when He comes again for His Church and the age old battle is finished. Until that time, The Story must go on. We must tell those who have not heard so that they to can believe.

Jesus taught in story format. Matthew 13 tells us that Jesus told many stories or parables for a purpose. The Message paraphrases His own explanation for teaching with stories like this,

"Whenever somebody has a ready heart for this (insight into God's Kingdom), the insights and understanding flow freely. But if there s no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That's why I tell stories, to create readiness, to nudge people toward receptive insight."

In Chronological Bible Storying for evangelism, each story builds upon the previous one, from creation to Christ, explaining God's desire for and provision for relationship with mankind.

Excellent background teaching, how-to explanations and helpful resources for leading a group in Chronological Bible Storying can be found on line:

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