Story Telling

We tend to think of Christianity as a series of doctrines and the bible being a theological book. It isn’t. It is a story book. It is basically a book of stories, stories illustrating the relationship between God and Man and patient leading of man, by God, to a closer relationship.

Stories have been at the centre of our lives since creation and are still dominating the lives of everyone whether it be the Radio 4 Archers, East Enders, Coronation Street or Big Brother. Our newspapers, Radio and TV news are also packed full of stories. Then there are the films. We just cannot get enough of stories. They mould our minds, thoughts and actions. They subtly change our expectations of what is right and wrong.

Christ told stories and often did not tell his hearers the moral, he just left them to work it out. Any preacher will know that as soon as he starts telling a story the congregation visibly start to pay more attention and begin switching off afterwards.

Stories are one of the most important ways to the mind. We need to develop our skills and the items here are selected with that in mind.

Good Story Telling Links

The Six Stories You Need to Know How to Tell
According to the International Storytelling Centre, there are six stories you need to learn how to tell: who I am stories, why I am here stories, my vision story, teaching stories, values in action stories, and “I know what you are thinking” stories. Although this is told from a secular viewpoint the points made are just as relevant to us with every thing from preaching to sharing our faith.
• The website for business and organizational storytelling
• Story Telling FAQs
• Tim Sheppard’s Storytelling Resources for Storytellers
• The Art of Story Telling
  Although much of the information applies to secular
  story telling the site is run by a Christian and incllused material
  used in VBS (Vaccation Bible Schools)
• Simple manual on story telling

Story-telling from a Christian viewpoint:

• Story Telling Today
  Story-telling is an essential means of evangelism:
• Sacred: Why the Arts in Christian Ministry Settings
• Christian Storytelling – Training the Trainer
• Notes for a Workshop on Biblical Storytelling
• Effective storytelling in Church settings