Last week I published a blog entitled, "The Jesus Film: To show or Not to show". If you haven't read it, I recommend taking the time to read (Jesus Film: To show or not to show). After posting I received numerous comments concerning a reproducible method for evangelism. I am not an expert in mission strategies nor am I a missiologist, however, I believe that one of the best reproducible methods is chronological bible storying.
I have found chronological bible storying to be a reproducible method of evangelism and church planting because storying, or orality is woven into the fabric of many societies. Oral art forms are woven into ceremonies, dramas, and daily life. Individuals relate, remember and respond to stories because storying is woven into the fabric of their society. According to oralitystrategies.org, "Chronological Bible Storying (CBS) is the process of encountering God by telling the stories of the Bible." In CBS we tell Bible stories without interruption or comment and we tell them in the order that they happened in time. Each story builds on those which came before; as a result the overarching message of the Bible becomes clear and individuals are able to find their place in God's story.
Chronological Bible storying is a reproducible and effective method because of several reasons...
5) CBS is reproducible because it provides a barrier of protection from persecution. Believers are able to share a story and leave the application of the story in the hands of their listeners. If someone becomes upset or angry the story teller only has to emphasize that he is sharing a story.
4) CBS is reproducible because it requires no resources. After hearing the story individuals remember it and are able to share the story with their family and friends. This process of re-telling Bible stories leads to evangelism being done by all members in a group or bible study.
3) Individuals raised in an oral society have already learned how to hear a story one time and remember it for a long time. For example, when I utilize Bible storying in the outcast camp of Gambaga the women are able to re-tell the story after only hearing the story twice. I have to read and practice the story multiple times in order to share but after two renderings of the story the women are able to re-tell almost perfectly.
2) CBS is reproducible because it leads to self-theologizing (I think I just made up a word). After sharing a bible story, the story teller asks a serious of questions concerning what the story taught about God and man. This question and answer time allows the Holy Spirit to impress truth onto the hearts of the listeners and allows the members of the group to teach each other. CBS also leads to active listening because the audience knows they will be called on to answer questions after the story.
1) CBS is effective and reproducible because it is the method employed by Jesus and teaches the Bible. During his Earthly ministry Jesus utilized parables and proverbs in order to teach his audience. The Bible says that Jesus "was speaking the word as they were able to hear it" (Mark 4:33). Jesus adapted his teaching to his audiences ability to understand. Jesus shared numerous Earthly stories in order to teach His audience a heavenly lesson. Each story in CBS builds upon those which came before; as a result the overarching message of the Bible becomes clear and individuals are able to find their place in God's story.
In conclusion, chronological bible storying is a reproducible method because it requires no resources, is safe, leads to self-theologizing, teaches the Bible and was the method employed by Jesus.
I have found chronological bible storying to be a reproducible method of evangelism and church planting because storying, or orality is woven into the fabric of many societies. Oral art forms are woven into ceremonies, dramas, and daily life. Individuals relate, remember and respond to stories because storying is woven into the fabric of their society. According to oralitystrategies.org, "Chronological Bible Storying (CBS) is the process of encountering God by telling the stories of the Bible." In CBS we tell Bible stories without interruption or comment and we tell them in the order that they happened in time. Each story builds on those which came before; as a result the overarching message of the Bible becomes clear and individuals are able to find their place in God's story.
Chronological Bible storying is a reproducible and effective method because of several reasons...
5) CBS is reproducible because it provides a barrier of protection from persecution. Believers are able to share a story and leave the application of the story in the hands of their listeners. If someone becomes upset or angry the story teller only has to emphasize that he is sharing a story.
4) CBS is reproducible because it requires no resources. After hearing the story individuals remember it and are able to share the story with their family and friends. This process of re-telling Bible stories leads to evangelism being done by all members in a group or bible study.
3) Individuals raised in an oral society have already learned how to hear a story one time and remember it for a long time. For example, when I utilize Bible storying in the outcast camp of Gambaga the women are able to re-tell the story after only hearing the story twice. I have to read and practice the story multiple times in order to share but after two renderings of the story the women are able to re-tell almost perfectly.
2) CBS is reproducible because it leads to self-theologizing (I think I just made up a word). After sharing a bible story, the story teller asks a serious of questions concerning what the story taught about God and man. This question and answer time allows the Holy Spirit to impress truth onto the hearts of the listeners and allows the members of the group to teach each other. CBS also leads to active listening because the audience knows they will be called on to answer questions after the story.
1) CBS is effective and reproducible because it is the method employed by Jesus and teaches the Bible. During his Earthly ministry Jesus utilized parables and proverbs in order to teach his audience. The Bible says that Jesus "was speaking the word as they were able to hear it" (Mark 4:33). Jesus adapted his teaching to his audiences ability to understand. Jesus shared numerous Earthly stories in order to teach His audience a heavenly lesson. Each story in CBS builds upon those which came before; as a result the overarching message of the Bible becomes clear and individuals are able to find their place in God's story.
In conclusion, chronological bible storying is a reproducible method because it requires no resources, is safe, leads to self-theologizing, teaches the Bible and was the method employed by Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment