Why Stories?Why Stories?  Why do you think God chose stories as a way to reveal himself?  How does a story help a child in particular?

The Value of StoryThe Value of Story  Connection

The Value of StoryThe Value of Story  Connection… -connection b/w audience and storyteller -unifies a group, shared experience

The Value of StoryThe Value of Story  Connection  Powerful

The Value of StoryThe Value of Story  Connection  Powerful… -impact, stir emotions -easier to remember -challenge thinking, motivates change, confront us

The Value of StoryThe Value of Story  Connection  Powerful  Teach

The Value of StoryThe Value of Story  Connection  Powerful  Teach -concepts such as faith, trust, hope, repentance … -can be understood by concrete thinkers -stories take the abstract concept and put them into relationship categories

Using Stories To TeachUsing Stories To Teach  What’s the big idea in the passage? State the point… -in a sentence -in language that a five year old child could understand

What’s the big idea?What’s the big idea?

Drive the big idea home…Drive the big idea home…

Bartimaeus, Mark 10Bartimaeus, Mark 10 Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was. He knew that Jesus was the one God promised would come. So Bartimaeus cried out for Jesus to be kind to him. And Jesus was kind to him. Jesus is the one God promised would come. And just like Bartimeaus we need to cry out to Jesus to be kind us. And Jesus will be kind to us.

Where does the story come from?  Is there a story in the passage? (e.g. Mark 10)

Where does the story come from?  Is there a story in the passage?  Is there a story referred to in the passage that is found elsewhere in scripture? (e.g. Romans 9)

Where does the story come from?  Is there a story in the passage?  Is there a story referred to in the passage that is found elsewhere in scripture?  Does the point of the passage remind you of a story found elsewhere in scripture? (e.g. Romans 8:28)

Where does the story come from?  Is there a story in the passage?  Is there a story referred to in the passage that is found elsewhere in scripture?  Does the point of the passage remind you of a story found elsewhere in scripture? (e.g. Romans 8:28)  What story teaches that point? (e.g. 1 Corinthians 6)

Tell The Story!Tell The Story!  Reading vs. telling  Explaining vs. telling  Asking questions vs. telling

Story TypesStory Types Dramatic Stories  Narrated drama or mimes  Dramatic storytelling  Puppetry  Sound effects stories  Organic stories  Story stick stories  Kids retelling Visual Stories

Group Activity (2 our seminar only)  Discuss how you could use the items on your table to tell stories to children.  List some of the Bible stories you can tell using these objects.

Story TypesStory Types Dramatic Stories  Narrated drama or mimes  Dramatic storytelling  Puppetry  Sound effects stories  Organic stories  Story stick stories  Kids retelling Visual Stories  Object/Prop Stories: - gloves - foam blocks  Picture Stories: - felt, magnetic, chalk - adult or child - photographs - silhouettes  Short films

Storytelling EnvironmentStorytelling Environment  Quiet

Storytelling EnvironmentStorytelling Environment  Quiet  Neutral

Storytelling EnvironmentStorytelling Environment  Quiet  Neutral  Use lighting to your advantage

Storytelling EnvironmentStorytelling Environment  Quiet  Neutral  Use lighting to your advantage  Seat children where they can see

Storytelling EnvironmentStorytelling Environment  Quiet  Neutral  Use lighting to your advantage  Seat children where they can see  Remove distractions

Well Presented StoriesWell Presented Stories  Practise, practise, practise

Well Presented StoriesWell Presented Stories  Practise, practise, practise  Ask for feedback

Well Presented StoriesWell Presented Stories Work on: Eye contact Facial expressions Hand movements Voice control