One of the best ways to reach people is through storytelling. Storytelling softens people’s hearts and makes space for transformation. In the last post, we talked about the why behind storytelling. Youth leaders tell stories because Jesus told stories, people remember stories, and creation is a story. But which stories should leaders tell? There are three kinds of storytelling leaders should learn: The Gospel story, symbolic stories, and life stories.
GOSPEL STORY: THE FOUNDATION
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
When I was preparing for a trip to the Czech Republic, my team practiced telling the whole gospel story in under five minutes. I remember how hard it was at the beginning to share the Gospel in a concise and engaging way! One thing I learned is that storytelling is something every leader needs to practice.
The story of Jesus is the best thing anyone could hear, so youth leaders should get comfortable with telling it. If you’re looking for a starting point, here are two gospel-sharing methods that work well:
- Navigators’ Bridge Tool: https://www.navigators.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/navigators-bridge-to-life.pdf
- Romans Road: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2016/09/evangelism-the-romans-road-to-salvation/
SYMBOLIC STORIES: FOR ILLUSTRATION
Jesus calls us to speak the truth. Hearing the truth is usually hard, so ministry leaders have to learn the art of speaking tactfully. Telling symbolic stories (word pictures, parables, analogies, etc.) is one way to gently expose people’s hearts and call them to change/repentance. One example of a leader who told symbolic stories is Nathan, the prophet.
Nathan and David
In 2 Samuel, God sends Nathan to confront David about his adultery with Bathsheba, and Nathan takes an indirect approach. He tells David a story about a poor shepherd who loved his only sheep more than anything else. When a rich man stole the shepherd’s sheep to feed his guest, even though he had plenty of his own to pick from, the shepherd was heartbroken. His precious sheep were slaughtered for someone else.
Photo by Daniel MacDonald on Unsplash
Nathan’s story angers David—who could be so unfair to such a lowly shepherd? Then, Nathan reveals his true meaning. The rich man represents David. Nathan’s tale breaks down David’s defenses. He repents of his adultery, and God restores him. It’s amazing how such a simple story has the power to change a person’s heart!
Nathan wasn’t the only one who told symbolic stories; the Old Testament points to Jesus, who told them too. Jesus’ parables always represented larger truths. Today’s leaders can learn from both Nathan’s and Jesus’ gentleness. When we notice people struggling, we should try telling them a story that represents their real-life issues. Telling symbolic stories might soften people’s hearts more than confronting them head-on from the beginning.
LIFE STORY: FOR CONNECTION
The last major story-type leaders should learn to tell is their life story. Many students give their lives to Jesus after hearing the testimony of someone else. So why don’t more leaders tell their life story?
Oftentimes, it’s because telling your life story can come with a lot of insecurity… Is my story interesting? Relatable? The first time you tell your story may not be smooth, but the act of sharing it will usually accomplish three things:
Telling your story:
- Humbles the storyteller.
- Connects the group.
- Positions Jesus as the hero worth talking more about.
Good leaders tell the Gospel story, symbolic stories, and their personal life story to soften people’s hearts for Jesus. Click to the next part of this story-telling series to start the practical application: how to tell the Gospel story.