Using Stories in E&D
Very early on in my life—even when I was a baby—my mom would tell me stories and read to me from books. Sometimes these were Bible stories, other times they were just for fun. Then I went to Sunday School and heard stories from the Bible. As I grew older, I started going to elementary school. There the teacher used different methods to teach us, but when she really wanted to get our attention; she would tell us a story.
I became a man and heard less and less stories. Apparently, stories were childish, and when I became a man I had to put away the things of a child (1 Corinthians 13:11). However, awhile back I noticed something: when my pastor began telling a story as an illustration in his sermon, people sat up and listened more intently. I began to watch for this. I saw that whenever a preacher told an illustration, the room was quieter; people listened more intently. I started telling and crafting stories for my sermons—not just illustrations, but I used Bible stories and other stories that became cornerstones of messages. People’s eyes opened wider, they sat on the edge of their seats, eager to hear more.
I went to the International Orality Network conference and found there were other people who believe in telling stories to communicate truth. In fact, some of them told me that the 4 billion oral communicators in this world of ours use stories to pass on from one generation to another what they consider important truths.[1] What are oral learners? Oral learners are people that don’t read or write or that choose not to get their information from reading. Many college graduates don’t read once they finish their schooling. “Ironically, an estimated 90% of the world’s Christian workers presenting the gospel [and discipling their followers] use highly literate communication styles.”[2]
What’s wrong with this picture?
I believe that in this postmodern, highly oral world in which we live, we should use story in our evangelism and discipleship efforts. In the attached article I’ve given 12 examples of stories in four categories:
Some Biblical Examples
A Jewish Example
The ION Example
Some Examples I have used
Feel free to use these stories in your evangelism and discipleship efforts or use them to get you started in creating your own. Click on the link to read the article.
[1] Making Disciples of Oral Learners, International Orality Network/Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism, 2005, page 3.
[2] Ibid.
Related Resources for Download
Use of Story in E and D
These are just a few examples of stories I use in evangelism and discipleship. People like stories. Stories communicate truth and challenge us to change. Once again I will say: Try it! Telling stories could make a difference in your evangelism and discipleship.
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About the Author
Gilbert Thomas
After 22 years of serving in Portugal as a church planter, 14 of those years as the Team Leader, Gil brings his experience in working with teams and training missionaries to Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship. For years Gil has used chronological Bible teaching as his principal form of evangelism and has discipled and trained missionaries all over Western Europe.
