437. A different kind of teaching: Stories
Beginning this Sunday youth will have opportunity once a month to hear a Bible story. It might seem like it’s just church-y way to pass time, but I believe there is a lot of value in learning Bible stories. Stories help us think through situations and teachings much deeper than the teaching itself both in our youth and adult lives.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” might sound like just a creation story, but it’s imparting accessible Theology. That God created ex nihilo, he created something from nothing. When students hear God loves them as a concept, it doesn’t land as hard as when they read the story of the the shepherd leaving the 99 to go after the one.
I think stories are effective and sticks because it engages our emotion and imagination, both are gifts from God. Personally, I have found stories that I carry with me evolve with me and keep me engaged in my reflection of God. For example, in the parable of the prodigal son, the Son asked for his inheritance early and ran away. I used to relate to him when I first read the story. Later in my life I started to think more about the heart of the Father, what it must of felt like to have your own son leave and the heartbreak. These days I find myself thinking about the older brother, who was upset at the younger brother’s return and acceptance. It made me reflect on my heart, do I have any trace of the older brother in myself?
My hope that the new monthly Bible Story initiative will help our youth grow in their theological reflection of God. It won’t be a sermon where I’m trying to teach them a big truth, but simply present the story. I trust in the sufficiency of scripture and the Holy Spirit to reveal to our youth what the stories mean over time.
Although Bible Story is for youth only, as adults we also benefit a lot from stories. In our own quiet time or devotional we can be so quick to try and “find the meaning and application,” of the passage. But I encourage you, as I have been trying while preparing Bible Story, to just try and sit with the story. Digest it. And just allow it to linger in the back of your mind. Sometimes greater insight and revelation comes when we don’t force it but allow our minds to wander and ponder the story.
