Life is a story. Moses wrote in the oldest Psalm, “We spend our years as a tale that is told” (Psalm 90:9). Perhaps that is why people around the world love to hear a good story – in some way, we can all identify. We weep at tragedies, laugh at comedies, and thrill at adventures.
The ancients passed along truth through story telling, and Scripture is full of historical and biographical accounts given as examples of God’s truth. When Christ came teaching the Word of God, He regularly employed the use of parables. Mark 13:33-34 says, “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them…” The Lord Jesus was the Master Teacher and the Master Storyteller. (Find Scott’s series through all of the Parables and our FREE Parables of Jesus Study guide HERE.)
All of the Bible is actually a story, not just the narrative portions. Graham Scroggie called it The Unfolding Drama of Redemption. Indeed it is. Every text has a context. Every part of the Bible has a true story behind it – an author, a time period, a setting, a people, and a need. As you discover and tell each story, the Bible comes alive in the hearts of hearers.
Some preachers and teachers are known only as storytellers. This should never be the goal. Our mission is to be truth-tellers. However, learning to tell a story that reveals the truth is another matter entirely! That is teaching and preaching like Christ.
On a flight recently, I picked up a copy of a secular magazine. The editor’s comments were written under the title: “The Power of Story.” Communicators in every field have come to understand the significance of stories. Even fictional stories can be used to open very real truths.
I had the privilege of having Nathaniel Brown as a student in college and he has kept the diligent heart of a student throughout his ministry. The best teachers are always those who never cease being students.
Nathaniel has done a masterful job articulating both the why and the how of effective story telling. How book, The Christian Storyteller, explains the theological foundation and provides practical applications for those who want to clearly communicate God’s Word to others. You will enjoy reading this thorough, well-written work and will refer to it again and again.
Dear Christian, remember that you have the greatest story to tell! It is the true story of the living God and His saving gospel. May God help us all to tell it as never before.
This article was adapted from Scott Pauley’s foreword to the new book, The Christian Storyteller, by Nathaniel Brown. You may order your copy at his website HERE or from Amazon HERE. We trust this resource will serve many as they communicate the truth of the gospel to those around them.
