Chronological Bible Chronological Bible StoryingStorying

An Overview Continued...An Overview Continued...Prepared by: Dr. James B. SlackPrepared by: Dr. James B. Slack

What is Chronological Bible What is Chronological Bible Storying?Storying?

• Chronological Bible Storying is a methodology for presenting the Chronological Bible Storying is a methodology for presenting the gospel to oral communicators--primarily illiterates and functional gospel to oral communicators--primarily illiterates and functional illiterates who cannot understand, remember and reproduce the illiterates who cannot understand, remember and reproduce the gospel when it is given to them through more literate, gospel when it is given to them through more literate, expositional presentation formats. Numerous other tools and expositional presentation formats. Numerous other tools and methods exist for presenting the gospel to literates and semi-methods exist for presenting the gospel to literates and semi-literates.literates.

Review Of Part One IssuesReview Of Part One Issues

• A Problem of Hearing--Understanding, Retention and RepetitionA Problem of Hearing--Understanding, Retention and Repetition• Literate Christianity & Literate Assumptions about How People Literate Christianity & Literate Assumptions about How People

LearnLearn• Learning Preferences--A Learning GridLearning Preferences--A Learning Grid• Literate Need to Present the Gospel in Ways Oral Literate Need to Present the Gospel in Ways Oral

Communicators Learn, and the Way They Communicate to Communicators Learn, and the Way They Communicate to other Oral Communicatorsother Oral Communicators

whatwhat

Preparing To StoryPreparing To Story

• Know hearer should be Know hearer should be exposed to has been determinedexposed to has been determined

1 2 3 4

The The Lome YLome Y

Chronological BibleStory Selection

Worldview Worldview Spiritual Barriers & BridgesSpiritual Barriers & Bridges

Perceived NeedsPerceived Needs------------------------------------------LANGUAGE &LANGUAGE &

CULTURECULTURE

LOSTNESS OF MANLOSTNESS OF MAN--------------------------------------------

Foundational Foundational & Essential& Essential

Truths for SalvationTruths for Salvation

STORY SELECTION STORY SELECTION CRITERIACRITERIA

10-15 Maximum10-15 Maximum

EXAMINEEXAMINEBIBLE STORY LISTBIBLE STORY LIST

SELECTSELECTTRIAL STORY SETTRIAL STORY SET

PREPAREPREPARESTORY LESSONSSTORY LESSONS

TEST SET & LESSONSTEST SET & LESSONS

ADJUST LISTADJUST LISTADD OR DELETEADD OR DELETE

MODEL STORYMODEL STORY& LESSON SET& LESSON SET

Model BibleStory List & Themes

Time Limitationsor Contact Window

HelpsStories

Teach Co-Worker

Newly Discovered BarriersNew Criteria

SHELL MODEL

ExhaustiveBible Story List

Other Factors:Attention Span/Interruptions

ReviewDialog

Teach Small Test Group

Criteria Not Covered AdequatelyMore than Adequately Covered

ORAL MODEL

Don’t Forget

Don’t Forget

The Process of The Process of Developing The Story ListDeveloping The Story List

• Consult master story lists for choosing storiesConsult master story lists for choosing stories• The universal Bible truths to be storied have been The universal Bible truths to be storied have been

determined, and stories have been selected that determined, and stories have been selected that convey those truths to the designated target peopleconvey those truths to the designated target people

• Worldview identification is improving and barriers, Worldview identification is improving and barriers, bridges and gatekeepers are identified which lead to bridges and gatekeepers are identified which lead to choosing stories that specifically address the issueschoosing stories that specifically address the issues

• Stories listed in chronological orderStories listed in chronological order

The Process of The Process of Developing The Story ListDeveloping The Story List

• The combined list of stories from these activities now The combined list of stories from these activities now comprise the first draft of a story listcomprise the first draft of a story list

• The specific stories and the total number of stories The specific stories and the total number of stories needed for this people group are now knownneeded for this people group are now known

• The list and the stories should now be checked and The list and the stories should now be checked and rechecked to be sure they are best ones to userechecked to be sure they are best ones to use

A Look At Two Story Lists Found In A Look At Two Story Lists Found In The BibleThe Bible

Steven’s Story ListSteven’s Story List• AbrahamAbraham• IsaacIsaac• JacobJacob• Twelve PatriarchsTwelve Patriarchs• JosephJoseph• Pharaoh of EgyptPharaoh of Egypt• MosesMoses• Angel of LordAngel of Lord

• Our FathersOur Fathers• JoshuaJoshua• DavidDavid• SolomonSolomon• GentilesGentiles• Most HighMost High• ProphetsProphets• JesusJesus• Holy SpiritHoly Spirit

A Look At Two Story Lists Found In A Look At Two Story Lists Found In The Bible…continuedThe Bible…continued

Hebrews 11 Story ListHebrews 11 Story List• God as CreatorGod as Creator• AbelAbel• CainCain• EnochEnoch• NoahNoah• AbrahamAbraham• IsaacIsaac• JacobJacob• SarahSarah• EsauEsau

• JosephJoseph• MosesMoses• Pharaoh’s DaughterPharaoh’s Daughter• RahabRahab• GideonGideon• BarakBarak• SamsonSamson• JephthahJephthah• DavidDavid• SamuelSamuel• ProphetsProphets

Some Other Types of Story Lists Some Other Types of Story Lists Found In The Bible…continuedFound In The Bible…continued

ChronologiesChronologies• Genesis 4:16ffGenesis 4:16ff• Genesis 5:1-32Genesis 5:1-32• Genesis 10:1-32Genesis 10:1-32• Genesis 11:10-32Genesis 11:10-32• Genesis 14:1ff, 35:21-Genesis 14:1ff, 35:21-

36:43 & Gen. 4636:43 & Gen. 46• Numbers 1Numbers 1• Judges 1Judges 1• Matthew 1:1ffMatthew 1:1ff• Acts 8:35Acts 8:35

• Exodus 36-TabernacleExodus 36-Tabernacle

Oral CommunicatorsOral Communicators

For many, geneologies are For many, geneologies are importantimportant

Geneologies serve as the Geneologies serve as the chronological chronological framework for their framework for their heritage, their stories, heritage, their stories, their family identitytheir family identity

Crafting Each Story For TellingCrafting Each Story For Telling

• Each story that is told should be crafted to mirror the Bible story. Each story that is told should be crafted to mirror the Bible story. The integrity of the Biblical account must be duplicated in each The integrity of the Biblical account must be duplicated in each story that is told. story that is told.

• Each story should be crafted as a “told story” so it will not Each story should be crafted as a “told story” so it will not appear to the hearers as a written story. Written stories are not appear to the hearers as a written story. Written stories are not as easy to listen to and are not at all easy to memorize.as easy to listen to and are not at all easy to memorize.

• Prepare to tell the story so as to highlight very tactfully, but Prepare to tell the story so as to highlight very tactfully, but clearly, the universal Bible truth, the barrier, the bridge or clearly, the universal Bible truth, the barrier, the bridge or gatekeeper that it was specifically chosen to address.gatekeeper that it was specifically chosen to address.

• Word choices should be void of “church words” and should be Word choices should be void of “church words” and should be those words that are common to the target people and words those words that are common to the target people and words that are easy to remember.that are easy to remember.

Dealing With Biblical Dealing With Biblical Background MattersBackground Matters

• Biblical background information, depending upon the amount Biblical background information, depending upon the amount and compatibility with story being told, can be inserted into a and compatibility with story being told, can be inserted into a specific story, or into a number of stories.specific story, or into a number of stories.

• Biblical background information can be inserted into the pre-Biblical background information can be inserted into the pre-story introduction and review when previous story is told and story introduction and review when previous story is told and when introduction of present story is given.when introduction of present story is given.

• Biblical background information can be inserted into the bridging Biblical background information can be inserted into the bridging exercises, which often makes bridging a more regular exercise.exercises, which often makes bridging a more regular exercise.

Dealing With Biblical Dealing With Biblical Background Matters…cont.Background Matters…cont.

• Biblical background information should be crafted to be very Biblical background information should be crafted to be very accurate and to the point.accurate and to the point.

• Only that which is vital and appropriate for the current story or Only that which is vital and appropriate for the current story or stories should be inserted wherever it is inserted.stories should be inserted wherever it is inserted.

• Biblical background information when it is inserted and Biblical background information when it is inserted and wherever it is inserted should be crafted into a narrative format wherever it is inserted should be crafted into a narrative format that blends with story format.that blends with story format.

• In other words, do not slip into an expositional format when In other words, do not slip into an expositional format when presenting background information.presenting background information.

• When giving an oral Bible and when using CBS for discipleship When giving an oral Bible and when using CBS for discipleship and pastoral training, the rules are criticaland pastoral training, the rules are critical

Choosing Appropriate WordsChoosing Appropriate WordsWhen Crafting & Telling StoriesWhen Crafting & Telling Stories

• Choose words from heart language that best convey meaning of Choose words from heart language that best convey meaning of Biblical wordsBiblical words

• Choose words commonly used by individuals among target Choose words commonly used by individuals among target people while recognizing that oral communicators understand people while recognizing that oral communicators understand words in context rather than words in isolationwords in context rather than words in isolation

• Again, stay away from “church words” which have little to no Again, stay away from “church words” which have little to no meaning among oral communicatorsmeaning among oral communicators

• Avoid words or phrases used by oral communicators that carry Avoid words or phrases used by oral communicators that carry religious meanings different from Biblical text and from normal religious meanings different from Biblical text and from normal

meaning of words in languagemeaning of words in language

Choosing A Story FormatChoosing A Story FormatIn Light of Local Story FormatsIn Light of Local Story Formats

• ““Collect” and listen to all kinds of their stories to discern how Collect” and listen to all kinds of their stories to discern how they tell their storiesthey tell their stories

• Be careful to tell your stories as close to the ways they tell their Be careful to tell your stories as close to the ways they tell their storiesstories

• It is detrimental if oral communicators are aware of the way It is detrimental if oral communicators are aware of the way stories are being toldstories are being told

• If they sing parts or all of a story, then put the Biblical stories If they sing parts or all of a story, then put the Biblical stories into a song formatinto a song format

It’s Story Time: The Story It’s Story Time: The Story SessionSession

Pre-Session Relational Pre-Session Relational TimeTime

Opening DialogOpening Dialog Reading the BibleReading the Bible Telling the StoryTelling the Story Leading Hearers to Leading Hearers to

Discover Truths, Discover Truths, Barriers or BridgesBarriers or Bridges

Disengagement and Disengagement and DepartureDeparture

It’s Story Time: The Story It’s Story Time: The Story SessionSession

Arriving, “entering,” and relating Arriving, “entering,” and relating according to cultural normsaccording to cultural norms

• Some cultures have “entering and Some cultures have “entering and relating” rulesrelating” rules

• Pay due respectsPay due respects• Assume proper cultural positions. Assume proper cultural positions.

Sit, stand, and position yourself Sit, stand, and position yourself appropriately.appropriately.

• Is this a worship time or not? Be Is this a worship time or not? Be consistent.consistent.

It’s Story Time: The Story It’s Story Time: The Story Session--Opening DialogSession--Opening Dialog

• Opening greetingsOpening greetings• Engage in introductory discussion Engage in introductory discussion

according to appropriate local according to appropriate local customscustoms

• Have someone tell previous week’s Have someone tell previous week’s storystory

• Briefly recall and rehearse previous Briefly recall and rehearse previous story’s meaning and messagestory’s meaning and message

• Set the stage for the current story. Set the stage for the current story. Be careful not to change your style at Be careful not to change your style at this time.this time.

• Give a listening taskGive a listening task

The Bible In The Story SessionThe Bible In The Story Session

Read from the BibleRead from the Bible– Handling and Using the Handling and Using the

BibleBible– Read a portion from the Read a portion from the

storystory– It is appropriate to It is appropriate to

memorize Scripturememorize Scripture

Note: Muslim cultures may requireNote: Muslim cultures may requirethe storyer not to use a Bible until the storyer not to use a Bible until later in the process.later in the process.

Storying: The Story SessionStorying: The Story Session

Tell the StoryTell the Story– Story the StoryStory the Story– Don’t Read if You Can Don’t Read if You Can

Tell StoryTell Story– Story Should Be A “Told Story Should Be A “Told

Story”Story”– Tell Story As They Tell Tell Story As They Tell

StoriesStories– Be Accurate, but Be Accurate, but

InterestingInteresting– Follow BasicsFollow Basics

Story Telling Session: The DialogStory Telling Session: The Dialog

Dialog TimeDialog Time– Separate Story from DialogSeparate Story from Dialog– You are listeningYou are listening– for barriersfor barriers– Ask Questions Ocs Can Ask Questions Ocs Can

HandleHandle– Please, No Analysis Please, No Analysis

Questions, No Points, or Questions, No Points, or OutliningOutlining

– Don’t Teach, Lecture or Don’t Teach, Lecture or ExplainExplain

– Retell the StoryRetell the Story

Dialog continued...Dialog continued...

• Resist arguing or contending with hearers concerning belief, Resist arguing or contending with hearers concerning belief, acceptance, or disagreement acceptance, or disagreement

• Maintain a “win/win” posture during the dialogMaintain a “win/win” posture during the dialog• Resist insinuations and non-verbal communication that betrays Resist insinuations and non-verbal communication that betrays

disapprovaldisapproval

• Encourage and allow the hearers to tell their stories concerning Encourage and allow the hearers to tell their stories concerning the current topic. Clothed within their stories is the hearer’s the current topic. Clothed within their stories is the hearer’s

religious and social apologetic that needs to be known.religious and social apologetic that needs to be known.

The Story Session:The Story Session:Disengagement and DepartureDisengagement and Departure

• Plan for closure in the dialog sessionPlan for closure in the dialog session• Do not shift to a literate style as the dialog is completed and as Do not shift to a literate style as the dialog is completed and as

you are preparing to departyou are preparing to depart• Be very aware of your comments and communication style after Be very aware of your comments and communication style after

the story sessionthe story session• Do not depart prematurelyDo not depart prematurely• Follow local disengagement customs as discovered in Follow local disengagement customs as discovered in

worldview studies. Remember, people in many cultures ask the worldview studies. Remember, people in many cultures ask the real questions after the sessionsreal questions after the sessions

Guidelines For Giving Oral Guidelines For Giving Oral Communicators an Oral BibleCommunicators an Oral Bible

• Follow the chronology and all the basics carefullyFollow the chronology and all the basics carefully• Maintain the integrity of the storyMaintain the integrity of the story• No modernization of any of the storiesNo modernization of any of the stories• Can insert carefully certain critical biblical background Can insert carefully certain critical biblical background

information in story formatinformation in story format• Be certain each is a told story and that each is repeated enough Be certain each is a told story and that each is repeated enough

times for memorizationtimes for memorization• Cover all evangelism stories in the discipleship track to correct Cover all evangelism stories in the discipleship track to correct

and clarify storiesand clarify stories

Discipling & The Discipleship Discipling & The Discipleship Track in StoryingTrack in Storying

• The Discipleship Track follows the The Discipleship Track follows the Evangelism TrackEvangelism Track

• Mix of believers/unbeliversMix of believers/unbelivers

• Communication quirks of presenterCommunication quirks of presenter

• ““Hardness of Heart”Hardness of Heart”

• Surprise BarriersSurprise Barriers

• Hostility & other group dynamicsHostility & other group dynamics

• Evidence of falling awayEvidence of falling away

Problem Solving When StoryingProblem Solving When StoryingInternalInternal

Trouble ShootingTrouble ShootingExternal ProblemsExternal Problems

• InterruptionsInterruptions

• Poor location choicePoor location choice

• Schedule breaksSchedule breaks

• Special EventsSpecial Events

• Interference by other Interference by other religious groupsreligious groups

-8 No Awareness of the Gospel-7-6 Knowledge of Gospel Basics-5 Understanding Gospel Implications-4 Positive Attitude Toward Becoming a Christian-3 Problem Recognition-2-1 0 Change of Allegience+1 Re-evaluation+2 Incorporation into Church+3 Spiritually Reproducing

Source: “Developing a Media Strategy to Reach an Unreached People Group”

Multiple Media EffectivenessMultiple Media EffectivenessThe Yao Project

-8 No Awareness of the Gospel-7-6 Knowledge of Gospel Basics-5 Understanding Gospel Implications-4 Positive Attitude Toward Becoming a Christian-3 Problem Recognition-2-1 0 Change of Allegience+1 Re-evaluation+2 Incorporation into Church+3 Spiritually Reproducing

Multiple Media EffectivenessMultiple Media Effectiveness

-8 -7-6 -5 -4-3-2-1 0 +1+2 +3 RadioRadio Event Event Lit/Audio Lit/Audio Storying Storying ContactContact

Source: “Developing a Media Strategy to Reach an Unreached People Group”

SSPPIIRRIITTUUAALL

DDEECCIISSIIOONN

SSCCAALLEE

The Yao Project

-8 -7-6 -5 -4-3-2-1 0 +1+2 +3 RadioRadio Event Event Lit/Audio Lit/Audio Storying Storying ContactContact

Multiple Media EffectivenessMultiple Media Effectiveness

Source: “Developing a Media Strategy to Reach an Unreached People Group”

SSPPIIRRIITTUUAALL

DDEECCIISSIIOONN

SSCCAALLEE

The Yao Project