Learning from an experienced storyteller – on the job

Two storytelling seminar participants went out to a local park with the seminar facilitator. The park was full of Muslim families having picnics. One of the men was experienced at sharing with Muslims but was just learning about storytelling.

As was usual, the topic quickly switched to religion. The experienced worker immediately went into his normal patterns of answering questions in an apologetic fashion. That discussion continued.

The seminar facilitator tried a different approach. Turning to the other two men he said, “They can argue all day but who wants to hear a story?” They can argue all day but who wants to hear a story?”

He told the story of Jesus healing and forgiving the paralyzed man in Mark 2. One of the young men said, “So is that why the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, because he claimed to be able to forgive sin?”

“Not just that reason. It had more to do with Lazarus. Have you heard his story?”

He then told the Lazarus story including the discussion that the religious leaders had about killing Jesus before his popularity spread too far. After all, raising someone from the dead is bound to increase someone’s influence.

The course facilitator wanted the course participants to tell stories, so he set that up by saying, “My friend has an excellent story about circumcision.” The series of stories that the participants had learned that week were a panorama from Abraham’s life.

The two men who were still discussing religion stopped and listened to this story. Afterwards the experienced leader said, “I just went to my traditional patterns of discussing issues with Muslims. But today I saw a more effective way. Now I need to relearn my communication patterns and start using stories because it leads to better discussion rather than arguments.”