Why Tell THAT Bible Story?

Why do you tell the Bible stories that you tell? Bible stories come to mind in conversations, providing a straw man, or intentionally disciple-making. But why pick a certain story?

For some, it’s the only story that they have learned! It’s like the idiom that we know: “If all you have is a hammer, everything becomes a nail.” I trained a church planter in Oklahoma City that used one Bible story to lead more than 60 people to faith in Christ. When I asked him why he didn’t choose to tell other stories he said, “Well, Mark, you taught me this story and I haven’t had time to learn another one. And this one is working!”

Did you do like this planter and practice a few in a training session and just haven’t quite gotten around to learning others? Are they just so familiar that you can evoke emotions each time you tell your favorite one so you just stick with the proven “winner”?

Are you one of those who has bought in and now is ready to tell Bible stories for everything and anything?

Just this week I met with a group of students that wanted help telling how Jesus Calmed the Storm. The problem is that they didn’t know Japanese culture and were afraid the story that they picked to study wouldn’t be relevant. They were wise to question any bridges or barriers in a story!

But why do you tell THAT story in the first place? It may be important to you, but is it part of a bigger picture? A bigger purpose? Is there an intentional story set behind your Bible Storying methods?

At another time, a friend of mine wanted to know how to story just one Bible verse. I simply pointed out that the verse conveyed a Bible Truth. Then I asked him, “What Bible story best conveys that Bible Truth?” In no time, the Holy Spirit revealed exactly the right Bible Story to convey the Truth.

Many who want to tell just any fun/familiar/emotional/new/exciting Bible story miss out on Jesus’ command to make disciples. Ah, that takes being intentional! Selecting the right Story that the Holy Spirit uses to draw out the right Truth is the greater challenge.

--Mark Snowden serves as director for the Cincinnati Area Baptist Association