Story telling helps

by Grant Thorpe

Whoever teaches children–whether at home or at Church groups–must speak ‘the very words of God’ (1 Peter 4:11). This should not intimidate us. Rather, it should make us eager to hear the word of God so as to bring this great gift to the children. Here are some pointers to hearing that word and showing it to the children.

Find (and then show) the action of God in the passage.

The easiest thing to do is to see the action of man and to make this into a behavioural lesson (this is what to do and this is what to avoid). This is not invalid (Exodus 24:12; Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11) but is not the emphasis of the Bible itself. God is eager that we see his side of the story–his purpose, his joy, his certainty, his saving action, his renewal, his hope, his Son. This is all the more so in the Scriptures which recount the appalling failure of the world or of God’s people. God directs us to the covenant he has made with them, the covenant he is keeping, and the covenant he will fulfil. Every action of his has to do with Jesus Christ and him being full of grace and truth. All of the Old Testament prepares for this. All of the New Testament proclaims this.

If the story is the sower and the seed, the main point is not that we should be good soil (though that is true) but that God liberally spills his seed over all kinds of soil–just as you, the teacher, are now going to freely give the good word of God to the children waiting for you! Some will not respond but some will, and the kingdom of God will surely progress.

If the story is the greatness of David in overcoming his enemies, the main point is not that we should all have similar victories but that God was a refuge for David and gave him victory. He did this for David because he has determined to give the world a Saviour. God gave us Jesus–as King–and God gives him victories for us to share. If we wish to emulate David (and we should), then show the children what David believed so that they may have the same faith as him.

Find (and show) how the action of God
brings us to grace and truth.

The Bible constantly shows people being humbled by the kindness of God. Often times, this is preceded by judgements because they (we) are stubborn, but the end of the story is the triumph of grace in the humbling of a people who delight in God.

If the story is Peter’s denials, the point is not that we should bravely stand up for Christ (though we should) but that Jesus trained Peter to rely on him instead of bragging about his faithfulness. How strong and gentle Peter was after this! His strength was coming from Christ now. He as a lover of grace, not of himself.

If the story is Ruth, the point is not about Naomi being pleasant (though that seems to be important to the story) or about Ruth’s kindness to her mother in law (though Naomi draws attention to this), but that through the tragedies, Naomi still trusted in God–even while she spoke freely about her bitterness, and Ruth met the faithfulness of God in her mother in law and through Israel’s provision of a kinsmen/redeemer for widows.

Be thankful to God for his action.

Someone has observed that one of the missing ingredients of Western civilisation is a zest that arises from gratefulness. The enthusiasm needed for teaching comes from delight in God’s sure action–in the Bible and in life. Don’t tell the children to be grateful; just be grateful and lead them in thanksgiving; it is infectious! It may be necessary to warn occasionally about ungratefulness, but your own gratefulness is primary.

Stories communicate, so keep attention on the characters, action and outcome

Life itself is a narrative–with many facets and turns. Through Christ, we have been made part of God’s story, so, telling Bible stories is not entertainment or an illustration for a moral, it is our own family history. We can tell it with relish, with understanding, with sympathy and without needing to tie off all the ends. If something seems untidy, then our confidence is in the end of God’s story, not the resolution of every part of life as it happens.

Happy story time!