storying
Key Scripture: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Purpose: Storying is a simple way for people to teach themselves the Word of God. It gets scriptures into people along with the rhema and application of it. It aids in the process of us being complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. Storying a passage is keeping the Author’s (the Lord) Intent in the retelling and the Reader’s (our) Response in the answers to the questions. It is not our summary of the revelation we got.
Phase of Discipling Best to Introduce: D1
Discipling Tips:
Assign 2 Timothy 3:16-17 for homework or eat together.
When you introduce the tool:
Model it first for them!
You can assign a chapter for them to story the next week or…
You can send the group into different areas for 45 minutes to prepare to story a chapter in the Bible. Ask them to learn the chapter and be prepared to retell it without using the Bible or notes. Then ask them to sit in the 4 questions and write down their answers.
Using it with one person in the group storying at a time gives them the opportunity to learn and teach the Gospel in a safe environment while allowing the Lord to speak into all of their lives. The rest of the group can follow along in their own Bibles looking to see if any major part of the story was left out.
Using it with everyone or several people in the group storying at the same time allows you to see which part of the passage the Lord is speaking to them about based upon what they emphasize more in the retelling.
Storying is not our summary of the revelation they got. It is the retelling of the passage. The questions are the evidence of the revelation they got.
If you have research or a rhema/revelation that goes with the passage you are storying, it belongs in your answers to the questions, not the retelling of the story.
Use this tool when you want them to grow in their knowledge of the Word of God and its concepts. You can also use this when you want to help grow their teaching gifts.
If they struggle with question #2 you can adapt it with these suggestions:
What did you learn about your relationship towards (God, Jesus or Holy Spirit)?
How does it apply to your relationship with the Lord?
People can fool us when we ask them the question, “What is Jesus teaching you?” Some in groups kept that up for 6-8 months until storying was introduced and they had to answer the specific questions about the passage and themselves.
Tool Specifics:
Assign 2 Timothy 3:16-17 for homework or eat together.
Model for them how to story a chapter in the Bible (with no notes or the Bible) and answer the questions by choosing a random chapter to story for them then share your answers to the 4 questions as it pertains to the chapter you storied.
Assign a chapter in the Bible to learn and be prepared to retell the "story" of the chapter without looking at their Bible or using notes.
Have them answer the following questions by writing down their answers to share with the group after they story the passage.
What does this passage say about the character of ____ (God, Jesus or Holy Spirit)?
What does it reveal about your relationship with ____ (God, Jesus or Holy Spirit)?
What’s the promise for you to claim or sin for you to avoid?
What’s your obedience to walk out today?
When they return to the group the next week have them retell the chapter in its entirety without using their Bible or notes.
If the group thinks a major part was left out, have the disciple do it again, adding what the rest of the group felt was too important to leave out.
Have them share their answers to the 4 questions.
Tool Diagram:
Additional Tool Resources:
Shaped by the Story: Discover the Art of Bible Storying by Michael Novelli
Originated/Adapted From:
R. Bruce Carlton - Professor at Oklahoma Baptist University
Updated 5-14-2024