Report on Hobart, Australia, Storytelling Seminar

I saw this and thought it would be worthwhile to share what others are doing in terms of training and the kind of response from trainees.
August, 2012

Introduction: On August 16 sixteen participants from six churches gathered at historic St John’s Presbyterian
church Hobart for a three day Bible storytelling seminar.
Some came to the seminar with serious doubts about their ability to tell Bible stories.

At the end they said:
• I learnt never be afraid of my inability. God’s grace is sufficient for us in our weaknesses.
• I learned to wait on the Holy Spirit who will give us peace and also the right words to say.
• I’ve been trained to use a new tool, and to break through the “I can’t do it” barrier that hems me in.

Workshop Program: The seminar began on Thursday evening, when participants discussed why Jesus constantly told stories, and then they helped craft the story of Jesus healing the paralytic. Before they went home they were telling that story.

On Friday they spent a full day crafting and revising a single story from the Gospels, and telling it at least five times. The story set began with John baptizing and finished with the risen Jesus.

On Saturday they learned how to tell their story well, and then went out to Salamanca Place (market) where most of the participants got to tell their stories to complete strangers. And amazingly (isn’t it interesting how amazed we are? What’s our problem?!), the non- Christians listened attentively, confirming what Jesus said, “There are oodles of people out there who would happily listen to the Good News, if only there was someone available to tell it.”

Participants reported back:
• I never believed that people would be willing to listen to the Good News, but in fact it’s true.
• I found that you can just ask people to listen to a story, and they will!
• I teach that people are willing to hear the Gospel, but I wasn’t doing it myself. This seminar has given me a tool to be able to do it.
• I learned that I need to not be afraid, and to take advantage of the willingness of people to listen

On Sunday afternoon the participants got to tell a panorama of Bible stories from the Gospels to a mixed bunch of about 50 people from here, there and everywhere at the Mt Stuart Primary School – where the Presbyterian church meets each Sunday. One observer responded, “Stories are so enjoyable. They may seem benign, but they can be so powerful.”

The Value of Stories: Participants discovered why stories are so powerful. They said:
• People like stories because they are not threatening.
• Stories break down barriers. As they hear stories, people discover things about God for themselves.
• Stories get under people’s defenses. People learn about God without their even realizing it.
• When we are available, we will find people that God is already working on, with whom we can share the Good News.
• You don’t need to explain God’s Word in order for it to be powerful. You can just tell it as it is.

Ends of the Earth: In several of his resurrection appearances Jesus impressed on his followers that they should go out to the ends of the earth with the message that through him forgiveness and reconciliation with God was possible for all who would believe. Participants observed:
• I was challenged by the word ‘go’. The hardest thing for me to say is ‘Here I am Lord’ in response to his
command.
• Just go. This seminar has caused me to ponder how I can change my life to be able to go.
• I have discovered that being willing to step out is the key to doing what Jesus said.
• We are always going places. We are to tell the Good News ‘as we go’ – wherever we are going. The Holy Spirit
will work in the people we meet along the way. We need to furnish our minds with a repertoire of Bible stories so
we are ready to take advantage of the opportunities.

The Most Important Lessons: Participants shared the most important lesson they learned:
• I learned that anyone can be a Bible study facilitator, and that we don’t need to wait for a theologically trained
person to lead us. This method means that Bible study can be a grass roots movement.
• Evangelism seems like heaps more fun using Bible stories than by other methods.
• This seminar helped me to explore my gifts and to find some I didn’t even know I had.
• The main lesson I learned was how to craft a Bible story. God can use me!
• I learned that the Bible when told as stories still has the power of the word of God.
• The priesthood of all believers has been powerfully demonstrated and acted out in real life through this
seminar

Used with permission of Keith Benn