Orality: Part Six Types of Bible Teaching:

Orality: Part Six and Seven Types of Bible Teaching:

There are a variety of terms that are used to describe different methods of sharing Bible stories. Although western style theological education tends to validate exposition more and teach it as the pattern of training for leaders and pastors, all of these methods have been used to evangelize, disciple, train leaders and plant churches. As missionaries we need to take a critical look at how we are teaching and training on order to understand where these types of sharing may be most effective in our ministries.

Exposition - an analysis process related to a body of information. In general it produces a list of teachings, ideas, concepts points or principles that are them communicated to another. Requires both the listener and the presenter to be literate and communicate literally.

Bible Storying - A general term that includes various ways and forms of telling the stories of the Bible. Stories are told chronologically, in thematic groups or individually as opportunity and need arise.

Bible Storying Toolbox – A Bible story tool box would have a variety of stories available for various situations. There would both be long term story groups or tracks as part of a strategic plan and individual stories or groups for more limited times and opportunities of ministry. Generally, although long term tracks are chronological, limited engagement stories may take several forms such as thematic and may not be chronological. It is being prepared by having different story tools available to be able to use the one that best fits the ministry opportunity.

Chronological - sequential, arranged in the order according to time. When telling stories in chronological order one can look back and refer to whet has happened, but not forward and talk about what happens after the point you are in time.

Chronological Bible Teaching - Refers to stories in a chronological order but does not necessarily tell them as intact stories. Uses explanation and exposition as teaching approaches. The hearer needs to have a fair degree of literacy in order to readily understand the presentation. The presenter must be literate. Contains too much exposition for an oral communicator.

Chronological Bible Storytelling - Presents Biblical truth chronologically in a general story format. The story may be paraphrased or interrupted for teaching or emphasis. The story may or may not be presented intact. Some exposition and instruction may follow the story, but the storytelling and narrative is more emphasized. Adapted from Chronological Bible Teaching as people realized that it was too literate and because of this not reproducible among some groups. Some literacy is required by both the listeners and presenters.

Chronological Bible Storying - Telling stories as intact stories in a chronological format without interruption to explain, interpret or clarify. After the story, the listeners are led through questioning and dialog to discover the truths in the story. Avoids exposition. Developed from Chronological Bible Storytelling as others realized that it needed to be further adapted for use with oral communicators, especially illiterates and semi literates. Both listeners and presenters do not need to be literate. Can be reproduced by oral communicators.

The next blog will have more details about the ten steps given below for Chronological Bible Storying. Much of the ten can also, with minor variations be applied to the other types of storying also.

1. Identify the Biblical principle or truth you want to communicate.

2. Know the people you are teaching.

3. Identify important bridges, barriers and gaps in their worldview.

4. Select the biblical stories that will communicate the principle or concept you want them to understand and that take into consideration their worldview.

5. Plan the story and plan the dialog that is going to precede and follow the story so they learn how this biblical story addresses a critical worldview issue that they have .

6. Tell the story in a culturally appropriate manner.

7. Facilitate the dialog that will help them discover the truths and applications, usually by asking questions.

8. Guide the group to obey the biblical principle so that it can be lived out in their lives in practical ways.

9. Establish accountability within the group to help members obey the biblical principle.

10. Encourage the group to reproduce all of this by modeling the principle in their own lives and then telling the stories to other people.