PARTICIPANTS GUIDE

The Bible Storying Workshop is designed to introduce you to key concepts, principles, and best practices related to Bible Storying as a tool for evangelism and disciplesip in nonliterate or oral contexts. Though this can be completed as an individual, there is great benefit from learning as a group or ministry team. This Participants Guide is intended to accompany ether a live training, or the mini-workshop online videos https://www.absc.org/ministries/bible-storying. After each session you will be introduced to the next topic and prompted to pause and apply what has been discussed.

Session 1 - Why Bible Storying?

Session 2 - Connecting Your Story, Their Story, and God’s Story

Session 3 - Crafting Bible Stories

Session 4 - Facilitating a Bible Storying Group

Introduction

BIBLE STORYING

With the vast majority of the world’s population considered non-literate, or oral-preference learners, the Great Commission compels us to present the story of God in ways that are understandable, memorable, and reproducible among all people. Storying applies orality principles to the biblical narrative for the purposes of evangelism, discipleship, church forma-tion, and leadership development. Bible Storying invites listeners to become participants and equips believers to become proclaimers of the Gospel. Read Mark 4:1-34 to see how Jesus used stories, and specifically vv. 26-32 regarding the growth of the Kingdom after the sowing of the Word. In the presenter’s version of the story, what did you like? What did you not un-derstand? What was included or left out that you might change? What did you learn about God and people?

Session 1

NOTES

Why Bible Storying?

1. What is the Core Missionary Task, and what role can you or your team play in fulfilling it?

2. How will you establish a rhythm of abiding in God’s word? When and what?

3. How will you establish a rhythm of abiding in prayer for those who are near to you but far from God? When and who?

APPLICATION

As we enter into peoples’ lives, in hopes of proclaiming the Gospel, we must learn how to listen well to their story so that we can connect them ultimately to God’s story. We can do this by learning what is significant to them and what they believe, and by responding not with our own opinions but with ways that God has worked in our own lives and through His Word. Read John 4:1-45 and pay attention to how Jesus interacted with the woman’s story and connected it with God’s Word. In the presenter’s version of the story, what did you like? What did you not understand? What was included or left out that you might change? What did you learn about God and people?

Session 2Connecting Your Story, Their Story, and God’s Story

NOTES

WE MUST LEARN HOW TO LISTEN WELL TO THEIR STORY SO THAT WE CAN CONNECT THEM ULTIMATELY TO GOD’S STORY

1. List three common topics of conversation among your target audience and two relevant Bible stories for each topic.

2. Map out a chronology of significant moments/events in your life and list a relevant Bible story for each.

3. Write out your 1-minute testimony along with a transition statement and follow-up ques-tion (ex. There was a time in my life I was… Then I met Jesus, received His forgiveness… Now I am… Do you have a story like that?).

APPLICATION

4. Write out a one page story of the whole Bible (ex. Creation > Fall > Rescue > Restoration; Creation > Fall > Israel > Kings & Prophets > Jesus > Church > New Creation; 3 Circles, etc.) along with a transition statement and follow-up question.

The Crafting Process

Bible Storying is intended to be simple, memorable, and reproducible. But in order to main-tain Scriptural accuracy, faithful preparation is also required. The process of crafting a Bible story is more than mere memorization. It involves sound interpretation, understanding the target audience, and thoughtful planning and follow-up. Read Mark 12:13-17, as well as the surrounding contexts, and consider how you might tell this story. In the presenter’s version of the story, what did you like? What did you not understand? What was included or left out that you might change? What did you learn about God and people?

Session 3Crafting Bible Stories

Do’s

Don’ts

APPLICATION

1. Pick a story to craft individually. Consider stories related common topics of conversation.

Title: Scripture Reference: Target Audience: Purpose:

Characters:

Setting (when and where the story takes place):

Plot Outline (order of events, verse by verse): •

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Difficult terms/concepts and their replacements/explanations: •

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Interpretation (i.e. What does this story mean?):

Helpful gestures or additional creative elements:

Themes/related stories:

Follow-up questions (ex. What did you liek about htis story What was confusing? What does this teach us about God/ people? What keeps you from _____ like the character in this story?):

2. Who will you share this story with for practice? Record their feedback.

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Difficult terms/concepts and their replacements/explanations: •

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Plot Outline (order of events, verse by verse):

3. Pick a story to craft as a group. Consider a common purpose or audience (i.e. VBS, mission trip). Title: Scripture Reference: Target Audience: Purpose:

Characters:

Setting (when and where the story takes place):

Themes/related stories:

Follow-up questions:

Interpretation (i.e. What does this story mean?):

Helpful gestures or additional creative elements:

As we share Bible Stories we need to prepare a follow-up plan based on various responses. One such opportunity for folow-up - for those who respond favorably either in faith or in a desire to learn more - is an invitation to gather again for additional stories. These groups will look different depending on the context (i.e. Children’s Ministry, international missions, etc.). But a good format for meeting will give attention to fostering relationships, discovering truth, and mobilizing each other to follow Jesus and share with others. Read Mark 2:1-12 to see how a group of men were instrumental in bringing someone else to meet Jesus, and begin to think of how you might form a storying group. In the presenter’s version of the story, what did you like? What did you not understand? What was included or left out that you might change? What did you learn about God and people?

Session 4Facilitating a Bible Storying Group

NOTES

A good format for meeting will give attetion to

fostering relationships, discovering truth, and

mobilizing each other to follow Jesus and share

with others.

The Three-Thirds Process1. Look ________________

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2. Look ________________

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What does it _______________? What will I _______________?

Who will I _______________?

3. Look ________________

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APPLICATION

1. Look IN Care -

Accountability -

Worship -

2. Look UP Vision - New Story -

Conversation -

3. Look OUT Practice -

Goal Setting -

Pray -

What’s Next? Responses:

Evangelism Stories:

Discipleship Stories:

1. Create a 3/3’s plan: In, Up, Out and What’s Next (a planned out story set based on responses).

How will you...

2. How and when will you abide in God’s word personally - specifically what stories will you begin to read and practice?

3. How and when will you be held accountable to God’s word and other believers - and specifically to Bible Storying?

4. How and when will you advance God’s word among the lost - specifically those for whom you are praying?

Appendix 1: Story Sets for Evangelism

STORIES OF HOPEThe Paralytic Man on the Mat: Jesus forgives sin and helps broken people Luke 5:17-26The Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus: Jesus loves all and forgives the repentant Luke 7:36-50The Storm and His Followers: Jesus has power over creation Luke 8:22-25The Demon Possessed Man: Jesus has compassion on people in bondage Luke 8:26-39The Sick Woman and the Dead Girl: Jesus restores health and raises the dead Luke 8:40-56The Feeding of 5,000 and Peter’s Confession: Jesus provides for His followers Luke 9:10-27The Parable of the Prodigal Son: Jesus reveals the love of God Luke 15:11-32The Children and the Rich Man: Jesus welcomes all who trust in him Luke 18:15-30The Thief on the Cross: Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe in him Luke 23:32-49The Resurrection of Jesus: Jesus proves he has ultimate power over death Luke 24:1-52

THE SIGNS OF JOHNChanging Water Into Wine John 2:1-11Healing the Official’s Son John 4:46-54Healing the Paralytic John 5:1-18Feeding the 5,000 and Walking on Water John 6:1-21Healing the Man Blind from Birth John 9:1-41The Raising of Lazarus John 11:1-53The Resurrection of Jesus and Purpose of Signs John 20:1-31 (cf. 2:18-22)

GENESIS TO JESUS/CREATION TO CHRIST, CHURCH, and SECOND COMING

The Creation: God Created the World Genesis 1:1-25The Creation: God Created People Genesis 2:4-24The Fall: The First Sin and Judgement Genesis 3:1-13The Fall: Judgement of a Sinful World Genesis 3:14-24The Fall: The Flood Genesis 6:1-9:17The Fall: The Dispersion of People Genesis 11:1-9The Promise: God’s Promise to Abram Genesis 12:1-8, 15:1-6The Promise: Abraham Offers Isaac as a Sacrifice Genesis 22:1-19The Promise: The Promise of Passover Exodus 12:1-42The Promise: The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-21The Promise: The Sacrificial System Leviticus 4:1-35The Promise: Isaiah Foreshadows a Suffering Servant Isaiah 53Redemption: The Birth of Jesus Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20Redemption: Jesus is Baptized Matthew 3, John 1:29-34Redemption: The Temptation of Christ Matthew 4:1-11Redemption: Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-21Redemption: Jesus and the Woman at the Well John 4:1-26, 39-42Redemption: Jesus Forgives and Heals Mark 2:1-12Redemption: Jesus Calms the Storm Mark 4:35-41Redemption: Jesus Casts Out Evil Spirits Mark 5:1-20Redemption: Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead John 11:1-44Redemption: The Lord’s Supper Matthew 26:26-30Redemption: Jesus is Betrayed and Condemned John 18:1-19:16Redemption: Jesus is Crucified Luke 23:32-56Redemption: Jesus Conquers Death John 20:1-18Redemption: Jesus Appears to His Followers John 20:19-31Restoration: Jesus Sends Out His Followers Matthew 28:16-20Restoration: Jesus Sends His Spirit Acts 2:1-41Restoration: The Spirit Gathers Believers Acts 2:42-47Restoration: Jesus Will Return Acts 1:6-11, Rev. 19:11-21:8

Appendix 2: Story Sets for Initial Discipleship and Gathering Groups

TEN WAYS TO FOLLOW JESUS TOGETHER/COMMANDS OF CHRIST

Believe the Gospel / Salvation: Nicodemus John 3:1-20Identify with the Gospel / Baptism: Phillip and the Eunuch Acts 8:26-39Entrust the Gospel / Disciple Making: Jesus Sends out Disciples Luke 10:1-11Pursue the Gospel / Prayer: Jesus Teaches to Pray Matthew 6:5-15Persevere in the Gospel / Persecution: Apostles Arrested Acts 5:25-42Live Out the Gospel / Love and Generosity: Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37Remember the Gospel / Lord’s Supper: The Last Supper Luke 22:7-20Respond to the Gospel / Worship: Sinful Woman Luke 7:36-50Abide in the Gospel / God’s Word: The Soils & The True Vine Mark 4:1-20 & John 15:1-11Partner in the Gospel / Church: The First Church Acts 2:38-47

DISCOVERING A HEALTHY CHURCH

Jesus Sends His Spirit and the Gospel is Preached Matthew 28:16-20 Acts 1:8, 2:1-36The Church is made up of those who repent Acts 2:37-38; Luke 7:36-50The Church is made up of those who are baptized Acts 2:37-41; Mark 1:1-11The Church is made up of those who receive the Spirit Acts 2:37-39; John 14:12-26The Church is devoted to God’s Word Acts 2:42; Mark 4:1-20The Church is devoted to the fellowship Acts 2:42 John 13:33-35, 17:6-23The Church is devoted to the breaking of bread Acts 2:42; Matthew 26:17-30The Church is devoted to the prayers Acts 2:42, Acts 12:1-17The Church experiences acts of God Acts 2:43, Acts 3:1-10The Church experiences generosity Acts 2:44-45 Matthew 19:16-30The Church experiences worship Acts 2:46-47, 11:19-26, 13:1-3The Church experiences growth Acts 2:47, 14:20-28 Mark 1:14-39