The Power of Bible Storying in Missions

Communication can be a significant challenge in missions, where diverse cultures, languages, and beliefs intersect. The task of conveying the truths of the Bible across these barriers requires creative approaches to reach diverse audiences. Bible storying is a powerful method, transcending many linguistic, cultural, and educational boundaries to share the gospel effectively.

Understanding Bible Storying

Bible storying is more than storytelling. Bible storying is a deliberate and strategic approach to communicating the Bible through narrative. Rooted in the rich tradition of oral cultures, this method recognizes people’s connection to stories and leverages that connection to convey the truth of Scripture. After all, who doesn’t love a good story? Whether it is a grandparent’s tale by the fireplace or an epic movie, stories have a unique way of sticking with us. Stories grab our attention and stick with us because they lodge in our imagination, helping us remember and embody the reality that Scripture unfolds.

Rather than relying solely on written materials or formal preaching, Bible storying involves orally retelling passages of Scripture in a culturally contextualized manner. These stories are often accompanied by discussion questions, allowing listeners to interact with the story, which enables them to see themselves in the story and internalize its lessons.

Biblical Precedent

For many people, Bible storying makes it easier to memorize and apply large portions of Scripture—a practice that finds its precedent in Scripture.

In the Old Testament, we see forms of Bible storying in the worship and daily practices of God’s people. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and 6:20-25 emphasize the importance of orally transmitting the teachings and stories of God’s commandments in everyday life. The idea is to weave these truths into the fabric of daily experiences, ensuring they are internalized through repetition and then externalized in obedience. Similarly, Bible storying focuses on telling and retelling biblical stories in ways that become integral to the listeners’ lives.

Psalm 78 likewise highlights the tradition of passing down stories from one generation to the next, ensuring that the deeds and teachings of the Lord are remembered and celebrated. Passages like these communicate the importance of storytelling as a means of preserving and communicating the faith across generations.

In the Gospels, Jesus used parables to communicate profound truths about the Kingdom of God. He told simple and relatable stories that were easy to remember and understand. These examples demonstrate that Bible storying has deep roots in Scripture and that sharing God’s word through stories is not only effective but also biblically grounded.

Crossing Cultural Barriers

In international missions, Bible storying is a strategic evangelistic tool for overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers. Some common methods of evangelism—such as distributing translated Bibles or tracts—may struggle to resonate in non-Western communities. Bible storying, however, resonates with most people, leveraging the universal appeal of storytelling to convey spiritual truths and invite a response.

One strength of Bible storying is its accessibility. In many parts of the world with low literacy rates, access to written materials is limited. By utilizing oral narratives, Bible storying makes the message of the Bible accessible to individuals of all literacy levels. It can also reach the Deaf community in ways that the written word cannot. Although many Deaf people are literate, sign is their first language. Reaching Deaf people by signing Bible stories prioritizes engaging them in their heart language rather than simply handing them written material.

In many cultures, storytelling is a respected art form deeply ingrained in society. By storying the Bible, missionaries can tap into this cultural affinity, capturing the attention and imagination of their audience. The interactive nature of Bible storying encourages dialogue and participation, helping communities understand and follow Jesus as their God and not just the God of another culture. Additionally, Bible storying can be easily reproduced and reliably transmitted, allowing these stories to be passed on accurately and effectively from person to person.

The simplicity and versatility of Bible storying make it particularly suited for multiplication and replication. Trained storytellers can easily pass on their knowledge and skills to others through discipleship. As stories are shared and retold within communities, they often spread organically and transform the culture with the message of hope and salvation.

Reimagining Evangelism

While Bible storying has long been associated with international missions, it has also become an increasingly valuable tool in North American contexts. In a society characterized by religious pluralism and secularism, traditional forms of evangelism often face skepticism and resistance. However, storytelling remains a non-threatening and culturally sensitive way to connect with people while sharing the gospel.

In North America, Bible storying is particularly effective in reaching demographics that feel alienated by organized religion. As they encounter biblical stories in an engaging and accessible format, skeptics may remain open to spiritual conversation, drawn in by a story that resonates with their lived experience. The interactive nature of Bible storying facilitates organic, meaningful conversations and fosters authentic engagement, laying the groundwork for deeper relationships and discipleship.

Bible storying can also provide a platform for addressing social and cultural issues within both North American and international communities. By selecting narratives that resonate with contemporary concerns, missionaries can demonstrate the relevance of biblical principles to everyday life. Whether addressing issues of justice, family dynamics, or personal identity, Bible storying offers a framework for dialogue and reflection, helping people to understand that the gospel message is for all people.

Cautions for Bible Storying

While Bible storying is an effective method for sharing the gospel, it relies heavily on the storyteller’s ability to accurately and faithfully convey the truths of Scripture. If the storyteller’s interpretation of the Bible is flawed or biased, then their stories could unintentionally mislead listeners. To avoid this pitfall, the storyteller must spend time prayerfully reading and rereading the text, committing the passage to memory.

Another potential pitfall is neglecting certain genres in Scripture. Narratives are often the easiest genre for storytellers because the text is already a story. While narratives are more natural for Bible storying, it is possible to faithfully story other genres by situating passages in their canonical context. For example, Paul’s epistles can be faithfully storied in the context of his missionary journeys.

To address these pitfalls, storytellers should follow up through direct engagement with the Bible text if possible in the culture, ensure comprehensive coverage of Scripture, and provide doctrinal teaching to foster a well-rounded and biblically grounded faith.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Narrative

Bible storying is a transformative approach to sharing the gospel in both international and North American missions. By harnessing the power of storytelling, missionaries can overcome linguistic and cultural barriers, engaging different cultures with the truths of Scripture. Through vivid imagery, relatable characters, and compelling narratives, Bible storying captures people’s attention, drawing them into the drama of God’s redemptive plan. Whether in remote villages or urban neighborhoods, Bible storying offers a way to deeper understanding, meaningful dialogue, and lasting transformation.

RESOURCES:

Dillon, Christine. Telling the Gospel through Story: Evangelism that Keeps Hearers Wanting More. Downers Grove: IVP, 2012.

Lovejoy, Grant. “The Extent of Orality: 2012 Update.” Orality Journal 1. (2012): 11-40.

———. “That All May Hear.” A paper presented at the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 17-25, 2010.

Stringer, Stephen, gen. ed. ST4T: Storying and Church Formation Training for Trainers. WigTake Resources, 2010).

Walk Thru the Bible. Story Thru the Bible: An Interactive Way to Connect with God’s Word. NavPress, 2011.