The Power* of Story*It’s all in the wiring.

Craig McCourt

Want your message remembered?

Tell a Story

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. Matthew 13:34 (NIV)

Follow the LeaderAs Lived, Remembered, &Retold byCraig McCourt

The Power of Story• When a PowerPoint with bulleted

lists are used…• Two parts of the brain are active• Broca’s area • Wernicke’s area

• These areas process language

The Power of Story

The Power of Story• When a Story is told• In addition to the language

centers• Motor skill area• Taste receptors• Empathy response• Chemical reaction

• 7 times the amount of brain activity

Keys to telling a good story.

dramatic arc of a story by Gustav Freytag

Keys to telling a good story.

• Figure out your controlling idea • the point for the story

• Set the mood• Keep it short • but long enough to pass on your

idea• Share details• Be open – real stories work best• Practice, Practice, Practice

How to kill a good story.

• Tell them the point • or “moral of the story”

• Drop it in out of the blue – no context• To many words• We rarely get paid by the word

• Failure to paint a picture• Use someone else’s stories as

yours• Running with a random story that

just popped into your mind.

Keys to telling a GREAT story.

• Use it to show people God• Tie faith to everyday life• Keep the focus on the change• Use Scripture– real stories work

best• Pray, Practice, Pray some more

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_stories_change_brain

https://blog.bufferapp.com/science-of-storytelling-why-telling-a-story-is-the-most-powerful-way-to-activate-our-brains

https://hbr.org/2014/10/why-your-brain-loves-good-storytelling

For Further Study...