1. Body, Mind or Soul ?
A Holistic and Systemic Presentation of God’s Word through Chronological Bible Storying
Sept. ‘01

2. Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias said: “The ability for abstract reasoning is diminishing in our time. When you really start to argue with somebody and start with a minor premise and a major premise, build a syllogism and enter into a deduction, the average person loses you halfway through, because they…come to their conclusions on the basis of images… Their capacity for abstract reasoning is gone…”
“Mind Games in a World of Images,” sermon, 1993

3. There has been a ‘humiliation of the word,’ Zacharias said, and an ‘exaltation of images.’
“More and more [we] are knowing less and less about the printed tradition… and electronic images are being ingrained on the consciences of millions of people,” he said.
“Mind Games in a World of Images,” sermon, 1993

4. There are four areas that affect man...
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

5. 4 Basic Worldview Questions
Who am I?
What is it to be human?
Where am I?
What is the nature of the world?
Issues of cause and effect.
What happened?
Issues of evil, suffering, sin, etc.
What can be done about it?
How to cope. Issues of salvation.

6. Our Traditional Approach to Addressing These Questions
God loves you and has a plan for your life.
Man is sinful and is separated from God.
Jesus is God’s provision.
You can receive Him and can know and experience God.
We ask: Do you believe all this is true?

7. Our Traditional Approach
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
What have we changed with this propositional approach?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

8. Our Traditional Approach
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
What have we changed with this propositional approach?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

9. Our Traditional Approach
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
What have we not changed with this propositional approach?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

10. Our Traditional Approach
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
What have we not changed with this propositional approach?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

11. Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is done?
What is good or best?
Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

12. Other approaches set out to change behavior.
MAR.KET.ING [All business activity involved in the moving of goods from the producer to the consumer, including, selling, advertising, packaging, etc.] Webster’s Dictionary While a change of behavior is the main goal, attempts are made at value and belief modifications, as well.
What is done?
What is good or best?
Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

13. Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is done?
What is good or best?
Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
But again, in attempting to change behavior, what do we not change?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

14. Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is done?
What is good or best?
Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
But again, in attempting to change behavior, what do we not change?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

15. Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is done?
What is good or best?
Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
But again, in attempting to change behavior, what do we not change?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

16. Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is done?
What is good or best?
Other approaches set out to change behavior.
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
But again, in attempting to change behavior, what do we not change?
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

17. Focusing on propositional truth or behavior change could result in SYNCRETISM.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
SYN.CRE.TISM [The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs or practices in religion] Webster’s Dictionary
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

18. Focusing on propositional truth or behavior change could result in SYNCRETISM.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
That is, a thin veneer of Christianity (or a thick one) over the old worldview!
Worldview
SYN.CRE.TISM [The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs or practices in religion] Webster’s Dictionary
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

19. Focusing on propositional truth or behavior change could result in SYNCRETISM.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
That is, a thin veneer of Christianity (or a thick one) over the old worldview!
Worldview
SYN.CRE.TISM [The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs or practices in religion] Webster’s Dictionary
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

20. Focusing on propositional truth or behavior change could result in SYNCRETISM.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
That is, a thin veneer of Christianity (or a thick one) over the old worldview!
Worldview
SYN.CRE.TISM [The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs or practices in religion] Webster’s Dictionary
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

21. The use of the narrative- the story-addresses the very core of who we are...
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

22. The use of the narrative- the story-addresses the very core of who we are...
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

23. The use of the narrative- the story-addresses the very core of who we are...
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
…and worldview helps determine story selection, keeping in mind those bridges and barriers to the Gospel found within the culture.
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

24. These bridges are God-given opportunities.
Bridges are existing beliefs, interests, concerns or situations that predispose a person to the Gospel.
These bridges are God-given opportunities.
Stories of God
Culture

25. Bridges Some bridges include... Redemptive Analogies Prior Knowledge
Curiosity
Cultural Stories
Dreams
Stories of God
Culture

26. Barriers
Barriers are those beliefs, interests, concerns or situations that keep a person from hearing, understanding or receiving the Gospel.
Stories of God
Culture

27. Types of barriers include...
Religious
Heart
Intellectual
Language
Psychological
Physical
Stories of God
Culture
Social
Emotional

28. Biblical scholar N.T. Wright suggests that to replace one’s life stories at the core, you do it with better stories.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

29. Biblical scholar N.T. Wright suggests that to replace one’s life stories at the core, you do it with better stories.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
And when you change the core, you can change beliefs, values, and behavior as well.
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

30. Biblical scholar N.T. Wright suggests that to replace one’s life stories at the core, you do it with better stories.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
And when you change the core, you can change beliefs, values, and behavior as well.
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

31. Biblical scholar N.T. Wright suggests that to replace one’s life stories at the core, you do it with better stories.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
And when you change the core, you can change beliefs, values, and behavior as well.
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

32. Biblical scholar N.T. Wright suggests that to replace one’s life stories at the core, you do it with better stories.
What is done?
What is good or best?
What is true?
What is real?
And when you change the core, you can change beliefs, values, and behavior as well.
Worldview
Beliefs
Values
Behavior

33. Syncretism

34. Let’s take a look at the Gospel filtered by worldviews, cultures, learning styles, and preferences...

35. G N
O E
O W
D S
GOD’S UNCHANGING TRUTH

36. G N
O E
O W
D S
GOD’S UNCHANGING TRUTH
“MY” CONTEXT / FORMATTING STYLE

37. G N O E O W D S GOD’S UNCHANGING TRUTH “MY” CONTEXT / FORMATTING STYLE
“THEIR” CONTEXT / FORMATTING STYLE

38. NOT MUCH OF THE GOOD NEWS IS LEFT UNAFFECTED.
G N
O E
O W
D S
NOT MUCH OF THE GOOD NEWS IS LEFT UNAFFECTED.
GOD’S UNCHANGING TRUTH
“MY” CONTEXT / FORMATTING STYLE
“THEIR” CONTEXT / FORMATTING STYLE

40. Our Traditional Process
Our traditional approach to evangelism and church development often includes these segments:
EVG
DISC
LDR DEV
MSSN

41. Our Traditional Process
However, the separate and independent implementation of these strategies doesn’t necessarily get us to where we want to go...
which is an evangelized, discipled, and adequately trained & equipped believer incorporated into a reproducing, indigenous church!

42. Remember, 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 doesn’t always = 4 !
Our
Traditional
Process
Remember, doesn’t always = 4 !
( It could be just ! )

43. Remember, 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 doesn’t always = 4 !
Our
Traditional
Process
Remember, doesn’t always = 4 !
( It could be just ! )
We often become diversified, fragmented and off-track! =
GOALS !
EVG +
DISC +
LDR DEV +
MSSN

44. Our Traditional Process
Working a process, rather than taking a step-by-step linear approach, accelerates what we are after and helps insure that we achieve what we set out to do!

45. Our Traditional Process
You see, many people see Chronological Bible Storying only as a methodology they can put into their evangelism toolbox...

46. NOT ! Our Traditional Process
You see, many people see Chronological Bible Storying only as a methodology they can put into their evangelism toolbox...
NOT !

47. Our Traditional Process
Chronological Bible Storying is not a methodology, it is a missiology; it is not a product, it is a process...
We like to say that Chronological Bible Storying is systemic...
SYS.TEM.IC [of a system; of or affecting the entire organism or bodily system.]
Webster’s Dictionary

48. Our Traditional Process Instead of looking at it like this... + + GOAL
EVG +
DISC +
LDR DEV +
MSSN =
GOAL
We might want to look at it like this...

49. Core Truths and Worldview
Systemic
Process
Evangelism
CPM
Core Truths and Worldview
Missions
Discipleship
Leader Training

50. A
Systemic
Process
Driven by an Core Biblical Truths & Worldview, each element is integrated, a vital part of the other. Evangelism is not just a step or single element leading to our goal, but is foundational… Evangelism is part of discipleship, which is part of leader development, which is part of missions, which is part of evangelism, which is part of…

51. We are always looking at the bigger picture...
THE WORD OF GOD
impacting
CULTURE & WORLDVIEW
leading to
CONVERSION
CPM
and a

52. Review Prepare Story Sessions Dialogue Model Story and Session Set
Language & Culture
Worldview
Bridges and Barriers
Lostness of Man
Foundational Truths
The Lome’ Y
Track Objectives
Core Story List
Examine Story List
Exhaustive Story List
Time Limitations
Trial Story Set
Other Factors
Review Prepare Story Sessions Dialogue
Story
w/Coworkers
Test Set and Sessions
w/Small Test Group
Additional Barriers
Adjust Story Set
Clarified Objectives
Shell Model
Model Story and Session Set
Oral Model

53. CHRONOLOGICAL STORYING PROCESS
Church PLANTING Phase
Genesis Gospels Acts Acts Epistles Revelation
Evangelization
Since storying is chronological, it is best to begin with Genesis. When you are working with a group of non-Christians, it is good to journey with your oral learners down through Acts 12.

54. CHRONOLOGICAL STORYING PROCESS
Church PLANTING Phase
Genesis Gospels Acts Acts Epistles Revelation
Evangelization
Discipling
After the Evangelization Track, you begin discipling new believers by going right back to the beginning -- Genesis! This time everyone is looking at these stories through the eyes of a believer and the stories take on new significance.

55. CHRONOLOGICAL STORYING PROCESS
Church PLANTING Phase
Genesis Gospels Acts Acts Epistles Revelation
Evangelization
Discipling
New Evangelization Track
Some non-believers might be present during this discipling phase, so be sensitive to those who need to be separated as Christians and those who might need to participate in another New Evangelization Track, again starting with Genesis.

56. CHRONOLOGICAL STORYING PROCESS
Church PLANTING Phase
Genesis Gospels Acts Acts Epistles Revelation
Evangelization
Discipling
New Evangelization Track
Establish a New Church
Evangelization
It is during this discipling phase that you will want to establish the new church and encourage the new believers to go out and begin their own storying group, using the familiar stories of the Evangelism Track.

57. CHRONOLOGICAL STORYING PROCESS
Church PLANTING Phase
Genesis Gospels Acts Acts Epistles Revelation
Evangelization
Discipling
New Evangelization Track
Characterization
End Times
Here is a progression of phases and tracks as you use storying in the planting of a church. Notice the integration of the phases and tracks.

58. CHRONOLOGICAL STORYING PROCESS
Church STRENGTHENING Phase
Genesis Gospels Acts Epistles Revelation
Thematic - Basic Truth Tracks for Maturing Believer
Teaching Tracks for Church Leaders
Pulpit Tracks for Church Leaders
New Evang. Tracks
Specialized Tracks for Specific Believers
New Evang. Tracks
This is what the Church STRENGTHENING Phase might look like. The storying method does not have to stop at any point. Different tracks can address many different issues.

59. A flow chart of Chronological Bible Storying Story Do preparation of
logistics, story
lessons & pre-testing
Decide which
stories carry the themes
Design a set of
themes for the storying process
Develop objectives for presenting
the Gospel in the context of their needs
Discover similarities and
barriers between their worldview and the gospel
Delineate the insights obtained through
internalizing the target population’s language and worldview
Determine my understanding
of the essentials of the Gospel in light of the universal needs of humanity

60. Storying in a Multiple Media Strategy
The Yao Project
-8 No Awareness of the Gospel -7
-6 Knowledge of Gospel Basics
-5 Understanding Gospel Implications
-4 Positive Attitude Toward Becoming a Christian
-3 Problem Recognition -2 -1
0 Change of Allegiance
+1 Re-evaluation
+2 Incorporation into Church
+3 Spiritually Reproducing
The Yao are an unreached people in central Africa. They are also traditional Muslims. They were determined by Christians to be at a -7 on this decision scale.
Source: “Developing a Media Strategy to Reach an Unreached People Group”

61. Storying in a Multiple Media Strategy
The Yao Project -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 +1 +2 +3
Radio Event Lit/Audio Storying Contact S P I R T U A L D E C O N
Several media were determined to be effective among this people. Storying played a significant role.

62. Storying in a Multiple Media Strategy
The Yao Project
Variations of shapes refer to degrees of effectiveness at the stages in the scale. -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 +1 +2 +3
Radio Event Lit/Audio Storying Contact S P I R T U A L D E C O N
More effective at some stages than at others, the different communications vehicles worked together, leading people to the point of conversion and into discipleship.
Source: “Developing a Media Strategy to Reach an Unreached People Group”

63. A CBS PRACTITIONER ON THE MISSION FIELD SAYS:
If the Bible itself sets out any methodology for communication to the masses,
and if the Bible is important in leading people to Christ,
then progressive revelation, [which equates to our term "chronological”]
and the fact that all we do is directly from the Bible, [which equates to our term ”Bible”]
and the fact that 3/4 of the Bible is clearly orally communicated [which equates to our term "storying”]
should be enough to convince most that Chronological Bible Storying is proven to bring people to faith in Christ and mature them.
Add to this the fact that the method was clearly and predominately used by Jesus,
and that it was used quite successfully by Him and the apostles to lead people to faith in Him.