Bible Storying: n What is it? n How is it different from Chronological Bible Teaching?

Bible Storying:Bible Storying:Bible Storying:Bible Storying: What is it?What is it?

How is it different from How is it different from Chronological Bible Teaching?Chronological Bible Teaching?

Bible Storying:Bible Storying:Bible Storying:Bible Storying: Telling the story as a Telling the story as a storystory and not simply and not simply

talking talking aboutabout the story. the story.

Organizing related story pieces into coherent Organizing related story pieces into coherent narratives.narratives.

Linking related stories as part of a larger and Linking related stories as part of a larger and coherent narrative.coherent narrative.

Bible Storying:Bible Storying:Bible Storying:Bible Storying: Chronological Bible Teaching was a Chronological Bible Teaching was a

precursor which established the concept of precursor which established the concept of maintaining a chronological timeline for maintaining a chronological timeline for relationship.relationship.

Chronological Bible Teaching established Chronological Bible Teaching established the value of providing a strong Old the value of providing a strong Old Testament foundation for the Gospel.Testament foundation for the Gospel.

Bible StoryingBible Storying Telling the Bible stories in an Telling the Bible stories in an

intentional manner as a strategy to:intentional manner as a strategy to:

Bible StoryingBible StoryingBible StoryingBible Storying Telling the Bible stories in an Telling the Bible stories in an

intentional manner as a strategy to:intentional manner as a strategy to: EvangelizeEvangelize


intentional manner as a strategy to:intentional manner as a strategy to: EvangelizeEvangelize Plant ChurchesPlant Churches


intentional manner as a strategy to:intentional manner as a strategy to: EvangelizeEvangelize Plant ChurchesPlant Churches Disciple & Mature BelieversDisciple & Mature Believers


intentional manner as a strategy to:intentional manner as a strategy to: EvangelizeEvangelize Plant ChurchesPlant Churches Disciple & Mature BelieversDisciple & Mature Believers Train Church LeadersTrain Church Leaders

Bible StoryingBible StoryingBible StoryingBible Storying Telling the Bible stories in an intentional Telling the Bible stories in an intentional

manner as a strategy to:manner as a strategy to: EvangelizeEvangelize Plant ChurchesPlant Churches DiscipleDisciple Train Church LeadersTrain Church Leaders Train New Bible StoryersTrain New Bible Storyers

Bible StoryingBible Storying Telling the Bible stories in an intentional Telling the Bible stories in an intentional

manner as a strategy to:manner as a strategy to: EvangelizeEvangelize Plant ChurchesPlant Churches DiscipleDisciple Train Church LeadersTrain Church Leaders Train New Bible StoryersTrain New Bible Storyers

Bible StoryingBible Storying

Each Objective Is Best Met By Each Objective Is Best Met By Tracks Which Are Groups Of Tracks Which Are Groups Of Stories That Begin With Stories That Begin With Foundational Stories And Foundational Stories And Progress Toward Closure.Progress Toward Closure.

Bible StoryingBible Storying Primary Objective Is To EvangelizePrimary Objective Is To Evangelize

—— Which Requires Listing Of Basic Which Requires Listing Of Basic

Bible Truths Bible Truths & &

Knowledge Of Any Worldview Knowledge Of Any Worldview Issues Related To TheseIssues Related To These

Basic Bible TruthsTo EvangelizeBasic Bible TruthsTo Evangelize

Basic Bible Truths Leading to SalvationBasic Bible Truths Leading to Salvation

1. God is one God, sovereign, creating and1. God is one God, sovereign, creating and acting in history.acting in history.

2. God is all powerful, all knowing, the2. God is all powerful, all knowing, the source of all grace and provision forsource of all grace and provision for all man's needs.all man's needs.



3. God communicates with man by His 3. God communicates with man by His

Word, He is faithful to his Word.Word, He is faithful to his Word. 4. God loves man and wants fellowship 4. God loves man and wants fellowship with him.with him.



5. God is holy, righteous, hating sin.5. God is holy, righteous, hating sin. 6. God’s righteous nature demands that sin6. God’s righteous nature demands that sin

be punished by death and eternal be punished by death and eternal punishment (separation from God).punishment (separation from God).



7. Man is accountable to God for all he says7. Man is accountable to God for all he says and does. and does.

8. Man is a sinner by inherited nature (birth)8. Man is a sinner by inherited nature (birth) and by freewill choice, and is separated and by freewill choice, and is separated from God by his sin.from God by his sin.



9. Man can do nothing to save himself 9. Man can do nothing to save himself from God's judgment and ultimatefrom God's judgment and ultimate punishment for sin.punishment for sin. 10. Man can approach God only through 10. Man can approach God only through the means God has provided through the means God has provided through

a perfect (acceptable) substitute sacrifice.a perfect (acceptable) substitute sacrifice.



11. Jesus the Son of God (the Promised11. Jesus the Son of God (the Promised One come from God) is the only perfect One come from God) is the only perfect sacrifice for sin.sacrifice for sin.



12. Salvation for man involves faith and12. Salvation for man involves faith and trust in God's provision by believingtrust in God's provision by believing on Jesus as the only Savior from on Jesus as the only Savior from God's eternal punishment.God's eternal punishment.



13. Confession of sin and Repentance13. Confession of sin and Repentance are outward signs of man’s response are outward signs of man’s response to God’s invitation.to God’s invitation.

Worldview Issues Related To Sharing The GospelWorldview Issues Related To Sharing The Gospel

Perceived NeedsPerceived Needs


Perceived NeedsPerceived Needs Changes:Changes:

• Recent PastRecent Past




• Presently happeningPresently happening





• Impending FutureImpending Future






BarriersBarriers to the Gospelto the Gospel






Barriers to the GospelBarriers to the Gospel

Bridges to the GospelBridges to the Gospel






Barriers to the GospelBarriers to the Gospel

Bridges to the GospelBridges to the Gospel

Worldview Issues: Bridges to the Gospel


Prior knowledge of the GospelPrior knowledge of the Gospel DreamsDreams Curiosity about the GospelCuriosity about the Gospel Testimony of BelieversTestimony of Believers Answered prayer/signs & wondersAnswered prayer/signs & wonders Redemptive analogies in cultureRedemptive analogies in culture English as first or second languageEnglish as first or second language



Desire for ESLDesire for ESL LiteracyLiteracy OralityOrality Access to MediaAccess to Media Scriptures in heart languageScriptures in heart language Unfulfilled personal needsUnfulfilled personal needs Cultural parallelsCultural parallels



Personal identification with storiesPersonal identification with stories Desire for relief from oppression/fearsDesire for relief from oppression/fears Desire for a better way/higher moral roadDesire for a better way/higher moral road Community eventCommunity event Relationship with storyerRelationship with storyer Framework or structure for communicating a Framework or structure for communicating a

lengthy message needing careful building to lengthy message needing careful building to closureclosure

Worldview Issues: Barriers to the Gospel


Ignorance of GospelIgnorance of Gospel Apathy to GospelApathy to Gospel Resistance to GospelResistance to Gospel Hostility to GospelHostility to Gospel Gospel as one of many possibilitiesGospel as one of many possibilities Gospel message limited to Christians onlyGospel message limited to Christians only Distortions of Gospel messageDistortions of Gospel message



No Scripture in heart languageNo Scripture in heart language Lack of literacyLack of literacy Time Factors in urban situationsTime Factors in urban situations Agricultural seasons and weatherAgricultural seasons and weather Cultural festivals and practicesCultural festivals and practices Lack of access due to geography or government Lack of access due to geography or government

interventionintervention Demon possessionDemon possession



Unwillingness of communicator to use Unwillingness of communicator to use preferred teaching modespreferred teaching modes

Unwillingness of communicator to organize Unwillingness of communicator to organize message for clarity and understandingmessage for clarity and understanding

Poor command of language Poor command of language Wrong vocabularyWrong vocabulary Poor understanding of target culture decision Poor understanding of target culture decision

making practicesmaking practices



NominalismNominalism Poor testimony of those professing to be Poor testimony of those professing to be

ChristiansChristians SyncretismSyncretism Other religious teachingsOther religious teachings Fear of persecutionFear of persecution Fear of spirit worldFear of spirit world Loss of social privileges & benefitsLoss of social privileges & benefits

Traditional Evangelism Model“I” Model

Traditional Evangelism Model“I” Model

LOSTNESS OF MAN

Little or No Thoughtof Target People’s Worldview

Our Concept of GospelShaped by Our Worldview

Gospel as Setof Theological Propositions

Our Preference for “Most Efficient”Mode of Teaching

Literate Word Culture

Selection of Theological

Propositions

Organization of LogicalPresentation

ExpositionalPropositional

Content-Centered PresentationLittle or No Thoughtof Reproducibility

Worldview Sensitive Evangelism Model — Lomé”Y”




LOSTNESS OF PEOPLE

Biblical Truths Leading to Understanding of Accountability to God for Sin

Gospel as Good News of Forgiveness for Sin & Relationship with God Through Belief in

Christ as Savior



LOSTNESS OF PEOPLE



Christ as Savior

WORLDVIEW REALITIESPerceived Needs

Understanding of Accountabilityto God

Worldview & CultureExpressed as

Spiritual Barriers & BridgesTheir Language

Literacy & Preferred Modesof Learning



LOSTNESS OF PEOPLE



Christ as Savior






Understanding of TheirCulture & Worldview

Barriers & Bridges to Gospel………………………………….Consideration of their Preference

for Learning ModeOral Culture or Literate Culture



LOSTNESS OF PEOPLE



Christ as Savior








for Learning ModeOral Culture or Literate Culture

Selection of Stories Informedby Worldview & Culture

Chronological Arrangement to PreserveHistorical & Other Biblical Theme

RelationshipsOral Culture Narratives

Concrete Relational ContentListener Sensitive & Reproducible

The Worldview RealitiesInform or Influence the

Choice of Stories and Themes &Instruct the Mode of Teaching



LOSTNESS OF PEOPLE



Christ as Savior








of Learning ModeOral Culture or Literate Culture

Selection of Stories Informedby Worldview & Culture

Chronological Arrangement to PreserveHistorical & Other Biblical Themes

RelationshipsOral Culture Narratives

Concrete Relational ContentListener Sensitive & Reproducible

Core Bible StoriesCore Bible Stories

The Bible — God’s Word of TruthThe Bible — God’s Word of Truth Creation of the Spirit WorldCreation of the Spirit World Creation of the World We Live InCreation of the World We Live In Creation of First Man and WomanCreation of First Man and Woman Sin of Disobedience & God’s JudgmentSin of Disobedience & God’s Judgment Judgment of a Sinful WorldJudgment of a Sinful World God’s Promise of One to Bless All PeopleGod’s Promise of One to Bless All People


God Will Provide the Substitute SacrificeGod Will Provide the Substitute Sacrifice The Passover Lamb, Sign of the BloodThe Passover Lamb, Sign of the Blood God’s Holy Law to define SinGod’s Holy Law to define Sin Blood Sacrifice to Cover SinBlood Sacrifice to Cover Sin The Prophet’s Message of an Anointed One to The Prophet’s Message of an Anointed One to

Suffer & Die for our SinSuffer & Die for our Sin Birth of Jesus According to ProphecyBirth of Jesus According to Prophecy Baptism of Jesus, Behold the Lamb!Baptism of Jesus, Behold the Lamb!


Victory in TemptationVictory in Temptation You Must Be Born AgainYou Must Be Born Again Jesus Has Authority to Forgive SinJesus Has Authority to Forgive Sin Jesus Has Authority over NatureJesus Has Authority over Nature Jesus Has Authority over DemonsJesus Has Authority over Demons Jesus Demonstrates Mercy by HealingJesus Demonstrates Mercy by Healing Jesus Has Authority Over Death—Jesus is the Jesus Has Authority Over Death—Jesus is the

ResurrectionResurrection


Jesus is Good Shepherd, Knows His SheepJesus is Good Shepherd, Knows His Sheep We Must Believe the Message of the We Must Believe the Message of the

Prophets While in this LifeProphets While in this Life My Broken Body & Blood Shed for YouMy Broken Body & Blood Shed for You Jesus is Betrayed, Falsely Accused, Jesus is Betrayed, Falsely Accused,

Condemned to DeathCondemned to Death Jesus is Crucified, Decision For & Against Jesus is Crucified, Decision For & Against

Jesus, It is Finished!Jesus, It is Finished!


Resurrection—He is Alive!Resurrection—He is Alive! Return to the Father—He will Come Again!Return to the Father—He will Come Again! Jesus the True High Priest Making Jesus the True High Priest Making

Intercession for Believers Before the FatherIntercession for Believers Before the Father Jesus will Return to Receive His Own, to Jesus will Return to Receive His Own, to

Defeat Satan, to Judge Unbelievers Defeat Satan, to Judge Unbelievers

Criteria For Choosing StoriesCriteria For Choosing Stories

Stories strongly challenging listeners’ WVStories strongly challenging listeners’ WV Stories confronting listeners with choiceStories confronting listeners with choice Stories likely to be misunderstood by listenersStories likely to be misunderstood by listeners Stories openly accepted by listenersStories openly accepted by listeners Stories preferred by listenersStories preferred by listeners Neutral stories—interest / disinterestNeutral stories—interest / disinterest Bridging & background storiesBridging & background stories

Criteria For Choosing StoriesCriteria For Choosing Stories

Teaching themes focusing on primary track Teaching themes focusing on primary track task—evangelism, church, discipleship...task—evangelism, church, discipleship...

Teaching themes that link stories to make Teaching themes that link stories to make coherent presentationcoherent presentation

Teaching themes related to target people’s Teaching themes related to target people’s worldviewworldview

Minor themes like blessing, deliverance, Minor themes like blessing, deliverance, angels, work of Satan & evil spiritsangels, work of Satan & evil spirits

Criteria For Choosing StoriesSome Typical Themes


Payment for sinPayment for sin Broken relationship (oneness) with GodBroken relationship (oneness) with God Suffering—Bengali MuslimsSuffering—Bengali Muslims Peace with God—HindusPeace with God—Hindus ForgivenessForgiveness Blessing—ChineseBlessing—Chinese Honor—MuslimsHonor—Muslims



Characteristics of God—Non SpecificCharacteristics of God—Non Specific Kingdom of God—MuslimsKingdom of God—Muslims The True Way—BuddhistsThe True Way—Buddhists The Great High PriestThe Great High Priest Emmaus Road—Reflexive to PropheciesEmmaus Road—Reflexive to Prophecies Stories of the Prophets—MuslimsStories of the Prophets—Muslims The Story of Jesus—Prophecies & GospelsThe Story of Jesus—Prophecies & Gospels



The Word of God—MuslimsThe Word of God—Muslims Women’s WV issuesWomen’s WV issues

purity-uncleannesspurity-uncleanness powerlessness-life circumstancespowerlessness-life circumstances self-worthself-worth relationships-with God, familiesrelationships-with God, families healinghealing provision for widows, those in needprovision for widows, those in need

The Bible StoryThe Bible Story

Verbatim Story (read or told from Verbatim Story (read or told from memory) memory)

Enhanced Verbatim Story (for clarity)Enhanced Verbatim Story (for clarity) Shaped Story — Light EditingShaped Story — Light Editing Paraphrased Story — Lightly RephrasedParaphrased Story — Lightly Rephrased Paraphrased Story — Deeply ExpandedParaphrased Story — Deeply Expanded Recast Story — New Setting, Plot or Recast Story — New Setting, Plot or

CharactersCharacters

The Bible StoryThe Bible Story

Dramatized Story — Dialog & Dramatized Story — Dialog & MovementMovement

Sung StorySung Story

The Storying SessionThe Storying Session

Pre-Story Time (Opening Dialog)Pre-Story Time (Opening Dialog) Greeting according to customGreeting according to custom Talk about recent & current eventsTalk about recent & current events Recall/review previous truths & storiesRecall/review previous truths & stories Ask questions or make comments to sensitize Ask questions or make comments to sensitize

listeners to new teaching themelisteners to new teaching theme Review any background, bridging or linking Review any background, bridging or linking

stories needed to get into current storystories needed to get into current story Give a listening task if appropriateGive a listening task if appropriate


Read From the BibleRead From the Bible Use clean or unmarked BibleUse clean or unmarked Bible Handle Bible according to expectationHandle Bible according to expectation Pick up Bible and hold in handPick up Bible and hold in hand Read from Bible part of story to “anchor” story Read from Bible part of story to “anchor” story

in Biblein Bible If reading offends, memorize and quote with If reading offends, memorize and quote with

open Bible before youopen Bible before you Continue to hold Bible after readingContinue to hold Bible after reading


Tell the StoryTell the Story Hold Bible while telling storyHold Bible while telling story Tell the story as a “story” and not as a report of Tell the story as a “story” and not as a report of

what characters said and didwhat characters said and did Use summary statements to bridge timeUse summary statements to bridge time Tell the story accurately, but interestingly, Tell the story accurately, but interestingly,

preserving the biblical rhythmpreserving the biblical rhythm At end of story — Stop! At end of story — Stop! Put down the open BiblePut down the open Bible


Lead Listeners to Discover TruthsLead Listeners to Discover Truths Ask someone to retell the storyAsk someone to retell the story Let listeners respond to listening taskLet listeners respond to listening task Begin discussion with factual questionsBegin discussion with factual questions Lead into questions requiring thinking or Lead into questions requiring thinking or

projecting of listeners into the storyprojecting of listeners into the story Bring closure with application questions: Bring closure with application questions:

“What is God saying to you through this “What is God saying to you through this story?”story?”


Discovering Truths Discovering Truths continuedcontinued Handle incorrect answers in a culturally sensitive Handle incorrect answers in a culturally sensitive

mannermanner Don’t entertain questions about yet-to-be-revealed Don’t entertain questions about yet-to-be-revealed

truthtruth Defer answering questions you don’t know —you Defer answering questions you don’t know —you

will look for an answer in God’s Word will look for an answer in God’s Word Give a memory verse to sum up lessonGive a memory verse to sum up lesson Enjoy fellowship as a story promotes “community”Enjoy fellowship as a story promotes “community”

The Bible Storying StrategyThe Bible Storying StrategyChurch Planting Phase

Range of Stories

Genesis Gospels Acts 1 Acts 12-28 Epistles Revelation

Also “Oral Bible” Strategy

Evangelization Track

Review/Affirmation Track

Church Planting Tk

Characterization Track

End Times TrackNew Evangelization Track

Documents

Bible Storying: n What is it? n How is it different from Chronological Bible Teaching?