Workplace bible story telling
Yesterday was my last day at work, so we all had a special morning tea together. At one point I was asked, “Why are you going overseas as a missionary?” I got to share briefly with them about how God had led me along the path. Later someone said, “You should stay here in Australia where it is warm and go tell the Aboriginals stories in Arnhem land.”
I said “I don’t know about Arnhem land, but I have been to Moree telling Aboriginals stories.”
One man asked, “What happened there?”
I replied, “Well, there was a big group of Aboriginals down the street having a party. I said to my companion, ‘We should go tell them a story.’ She said, ‘No way. There are too many and they are too noisy.’ I said, ‘With so many people, there has got to be someone who would like to hear a story. We will speak loud.’ So we went and I told them my favourite story. Some men did listen and really liked it.
The crowd round the table were looking expectant so I said, “I haven’t told you a story yet. Would YOU like to hear my favourite story the one I told the Aboriginals?”
They said, “Yes, we would.” At that point one Christian stood up and left. Another had his phone ring and he left too. Ten seconds later, the Catholic guy’s phone rang too and he left the room. I was left alone with five complete non-Christians. I told them the story of King Ahaziah.
After the story, the room exploded with questions. “Is that story really from the Bible?” “That is your favourite story? Why?” “What’s the moral of THAT story?”
I replied, “Well, you tell me. What do you learn from that story?”
One man said, “God is a nasty so and so!”
I said, “What else do you learn about God in that story?”… And so the Bible study continued.
Concluding reflections: I find it hilarious that I got to do a Bible study, at work, with only non-Christians. Who says you can’t take church into the workplace? I am also so happy that the Holy Spirit helped me keep my mouth shut and not give them the answer but helped them work it out for themselves. I’m not sure any of them have understood it yet. They left looking very puzzled. One thing for certain is that they’ll keep thinking about the stories.
Used with permission.
