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STORY/DRAMA: “Christian learns to story: 10 steps to chronological Bible storying" Story version — If told by
a single storyteller, be sure to cover all 10 steps to storying
and tell in your own words. Characters needed: Narrator: Christian was a church leader in his Asian village. He went to see Pastor and his wife, Sarah, who lived in the city to learn how to story. Pastor and Sarah were glad to see Christian. Pastor: It is good to see you, Christian. Sarah was just sharing with me that a man named Semi, one of our chronological Bible storying group members, was found having an affair with another woman. Sarah: That's right. The women at the market were full of gossip after the woman’s husband caught them together. We'll have to be careful, though. Most of the time, these women in the market just chatter without checking their facts. Christian: Will you stand and preach against adultery tonight? Pastor: In this group, I use Bible stories rather than preach. We have been going through the Bible chronologically starting with creation, Adam and Eve, Abraham and Isaac, Moses, David, Man's Predicament, Mary — and last week we talked about Jesus calling Peter to be his disciple. Christian: OK, before the Bible study you first make sure that you have one topic that you want to convey. Pastor [step #1 & #2]: I always select a biblical principle and we make sure it is clear and simple. Next, I think about the issues that everyone in the group is facing from his or her perspective. I call it "worldview." Sarah: Well, I can tell you one thing. The fact that God speaks against adultery will be a hurdle for Semi and the others to overcome in this raunchy city. Morality is at an all-time low! Pastor [step #3]: Sarah, that's our next step! It always helps to determine ahead of time if the story will be easily received or hard to take. I call it bridges and barriers. Sometimes there’s nothing in our town that relates to a Bible story, so I call that a ‘gap.’ The story fills in a gap of Bible truth. But I agree that a story on adultery is a story that will address a barrier. Christian: Out in the village where I am from, everyone loves the story of David and Bathsheba. Would you use that story tonight? Pastor: That's a good one, but a more subtle story is the one Jesus told at the Sermon on the Mount? Do you know that one? Christian: I remember learning the Beatitudes, Pastor. You taught us that we are to be happy when we are persecuted for sharing our faith Sarah: Yeah, but he also taught about adultery. He said that if a person even looks upon another woman with lust in his heart that he is guilty of adultery. Hear that, husband? Pastor: Thank you for the reminder. I'm glad you care about me. By using that story, I can show that all of us are sinful and need repentance. It could also be a discussion starter to draw out the truth. Christian [step #4]: Selecting the right Bible story is very important! Narrator: Pastor and Christian traveled by bus across town to the Bible storying group meeting. They walked to the third floor of an apartment where five people were waiting to begin. Christian wondered if Semi was one of the men present. When they were seated Pastor asked for a volunteer to tell last week's story which was about Jesus calling Peter. A woman spoke up and amazed Christian with her accuracy as she retold last week's lesson. Then, one of the men played a guitar and led them in singing several songs, which were new to Christian. One song was a greeting song that Christian's church sang in his village every Sunday morning. He began to see that this group could easily become a new church. Pastor: Let's GET READY for our Bible story. Today's story is from the teachings of Jesus. His disciples learned these stories and passed them along for us to tell you today. If you had been with Jesus, what would you have asked Him to teach you? Listen for Jesus’ teachings on living godly lives. Here is the story from God's Word. Narrator: Pastor opened the Bible on his lap. He put his finger where the Bible story was from, but he knew the story so well that he did not look at the book — not once! He spoke the Bible story from his heart. Pastor told the group how Jesus had addressed the crowd giving them the Beatitudes, warning the disciples of persecution, and finally got down to the part about adultery. Pastor: Jesus said, "Unless you live as God wants you to and not as the hypocritical religious leaders, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. You’ve heard that it was said a long time ago, do not murder, but I want to tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. You have also heard that one of God’s commands was not to commit adultery. Well, when anyone looks at a woman with lust, he commits adultery with her in his heart. So that was our story from God's Word. Narrator: Christian noticed that everyone was looking intensely at Pastor. They were ready to answer questions that they knew Pastor would ask to make sure they understood the story. Everyone did a good job of responding to each question. Then came the last question. Pastor: You all have done a good job of understanding that we must live according to God's standards and not man's, so let me ask one last question: what did Jesus say about murder and adultery? Semi: If I talk dirty about somebody or talk down to them, it’s like I’m killing their reputation, so that’s like murder. And lustful thoughts are as bad as committing adultery. Narrator: When he finished speaking, Semi stood up and walked out of the room. Pastor turned to the guitar player and asked him to follow Semi to see what was bothering him. Pastor would follow-up later after the storying session was completed. Pastor: You have all brought up many very good things tonight. I want you to review this story in your mind before we meet again. I also want you to try and tell it to one other person at least one time. Narrator: Pastor closed in prayer. After having some tea and cookies, they took the bus back to Pastor's house where Christian would spend the night. In the morning, Pastor and Christian talked while Sarah served them breakfast. Christian [step #5]: I liked the way you started the time together by reviewing last session's story and then having a time of prayer and singing. It was like a worship service! You also used questions to get everyone ready for the story. But my favorite part was when you told the story as a storyteller would. It was as if Jesus was standing in the room teaching us! Pastor [steps #6-#8]: By using questions before the story, it is much easier to help the listeners focus on the particular truth that I am trying to communicate. Next, I craft the story and plan the post-story dialogue questions that are going to immediately follow the story. After Semi and our guitar player left the room, everyone was probably ready to leave. You’ve got to expect interruptions, Christian. However, you’ve got to help participants in the group discover the truth and apply it to their own lives. I usually do this by asking questions. Christian: That reminds me. You gave the group several assignments. Do you do that every time? Pastor [step #9]: Yes, the assignments vary from week to week. Sometimes I even have two or three working on a drama. The main thing is that you need to guide the group to obey the biblical principle so that it can be lived out in their lives in practical ways. One other thing that I do is to always have them tell the story to at least one person before we meet again. Narrator: Sarah sat down with the men and joined the conversation. Sarah [step #10]: You've got to understand that if they must tell it again, Christian, then they must listen very carefully. My husband does a good job of holding them accountable for not only their assignments, but for their understanding and spiritual growth, too. Pastor: Christian, I must go and learn what happened with Semi. It was good meeting with you. I hope you have learned from all of this! Christian: Yes, Pastor. I understand that you need to go see Semi. I will be praying for your encounter. Narrator: Christian said goodbye to Sarah and Pastor. He took the bus back to his village. As he traveled along, he thought about the 10 steps that he had learned.
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