Preaching | top of page |

Pastors are becoming increasingly aware of the change in the way people receive Bible preaching. The older members in the congregation prefer outlines and analytical reasoning, while those with young families prefer a narrative approach. Unfortunately, many seminaries have not recognized this change in society, and have not adequately prepared pastors to deal with it.

At first, pastors tried to change this new way of receiving information. They reasoned that the old ways are good, and new ways are bad. This led to frustration for pastors and their people.

Pastors slowly began to realize that the Bible is written in a story format, with stories making up 75% of the Bible. Jesus preached to a story society, and He is known as the Master Storyteller. Pastors can no longer think they are meeting this need for narrative preaching by using an illustration now and then. They must become skilled storytellers, and move toward becoming master storytellers.

We have assembled a package to help develop these storytelling skills. It aids with presentation skills, pastoral sermons, Bible story research, and working with those in a “story culture.” This is everything needed to start developing Bible story sermon skills.

Sunday School and Small Groups
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Christian leaders are starting to realize that average church members no longer have a reservoir of Bible stories to help them make right decisions. Our teachers refer to Bible stories when they teach the Bible, but the average person in the pew does not personally know the stories.

Those who know the stories do not know how they fit together. If they were given a list of common Bible names, they would not know how to put the characters of the Bible in chronological order. Many look on the Old Testament as “a multitude of stories that some how fit together.” BibleTelling gives you the opportunity to increase the reservoir of Bible stories in the lives of class members.

Small Groups –
BibleTelling provides an excellent format for a group of people with various levels of Bible knowledge. You can include those seeking Christ as well as new Christians and mature Christians, if you implement one simple guideline.

**** Limit the class discussion to what can be learned from the story, and discourage talking about other parts of the Bible. ****

With this limitation:

• No one person can dominate the class discussion because of a superior knowledge of the Bible.
• Those who know less about the Bible can easily discuss the story they just learned.
• In essence, what you are doing is creating a “level playing field” where everyone feels they can freely participate in the discussion without being embarrassed.

When an adult class was asked what they liked about BibleTelling, a lady answered, “I like the fact that we are all on a level playing field.” A man spoke up, “Right! There are no smart kids in class!”

Adult & High School Sunday School classes –
BibleTelling has certain limitations in a regular adult Sunday school class, which often has only 15-20 minutes of teaching time. A class will need at least 50 minutes of actual teaching time for everyone to learn the story. If you have this time:

• Follow the instructions in the Christian school section entitled, “Seven-step Plan for Learning a Bible Story without Memorizing.”
• Teach three stories, and then allow one class period for discussion, application, and activities. Activities ideas are provided in the lessons.

A Sunday school teacher with less than 30 minutes teaching time has to modify BibleTelling lessons to fit the time restraints.

1. Tell the class the titles of the three (or four) sections of the story. In the lesson these sections are called “clusters.” Encourage the class to envision the clusters as the story is told.
2. Play the new Bible story from the CD. Of course it would be best if you learn the story before class and simply tell it. But telling an accurate story in front of a class can be intimidating, so most teachers choose to learn the story with the class.
3. Ask several people help “recap the story.” The mental pictures and hand gestures are provided in the book, but eventually participants create their own.
4. Choose an activity.
   The easiest activity would be discussing the questions in the book
   – What does this story teach us about God?
   – What does this story teach us about people?
   – What is your favorite part of the story?
   You will find that the class will enjoy doing some of the other activities in the book as well.

Children’s Sunday School & Junior Church –
BibleTelling is excellent for a children’s Sunday school class. They love to learn the story and are very enthusiastic about the activities. It is being used in junior church settings as young as K4 – 1st grade, and as old as 7th & 8th grade alternate church service. BibleTelling fits especially well in the Rotation Sunday School model, which is promoted by Mickie O’Donnell.

Sunday School Teacher & Christian Worker Training | top of page |

At one time, it was common for teachers to take a Sunday School Teacher training course. Today very little effort is given to making sure teachers and Christian workers are skilled at communication.

We have assembled a storytelling package to help in this area. It has step-by-step instruction on how to prepare and tell unforgettable stories. It provides Bible research materials, storytelling tools, and activity ideas for teaching storytelling to others.

It is ideal for adult Sunday school teachers, Vacation Bible School workers, small group teachers, Christian counselors, and teachers of teens, preteens, and children.

Youth Discipleship | top of page |

BibleTelling has been proven valuable in youth discipleship. Young people relate to the Stories of Scriptures, and find practical life applications. They gain confidence and a love for ministry as they learn to tell the stories to others.