One of the things that Jeff has been focusing on is developing and teaching a series called Foundational Bible Stories.  Within the past week, Jeff's learned that there are several other ministries interested in using the material that Jeff has been developing. 

Foundational Bible Stories are an important part of our ministry in making disciples for several reasons.

• Stories reveal God, His nature, His character, His plan and His purpose

• Stories are simple and easy to remember and teach to others

• Stories are effective for both literate and illiterate people

• Stories make the people firmly rooted in God's word

• God's word, in the form of these stories, are hidden in students hearts

• It's more suitable to the Eastern way of thinking than a linear, topical style of teaching

• Presenting the gospel is much easier when people have a thorough understanding of who God is, His righteousness and the requirements of the law

• Stories provide a non-threatening way to introduce the gospel. 

• Bible stories will develop a Biblical world view

• Stories provide a point of reference for further teaching

Originally, we knew there was a need for helping pastors to make disciples of their illiterate church members.  We discovered Bible Story Telling in this context, but quickly realized, while teaching a course on Galatians and Romans, that even some of the most educated church leaders didn't know the stories of the Old Testament.  It's these stories that the Apostles referred back to when penning the New Testament.  Stories about Abraham and Isaac, about the exodus of the children of Israel, about Moses, and about David were often foreign to them. 

Growing up in the church, I had heard all of these stories hundreds of times, but these church leaders were only vaguely familiar with some of the stories and didn't exactly know where they fit in the big picture of God's redemption story. 

So after some investigation and learning about the story telling process, we committed to start a course called Foundational Bible Stories, a series of 36 lessons.  These 36 lessons will give students a good overview of the main events from the Bible from the creation to the ascension.

After visiting with leaders from several other ministries, we found that they too see the benefit of story telling, yet haven't gone to the lengths we have to develop the stories.  (We've completed writing 27 of the 36 stories and expect to complete all of them this month.)  Two ministries in particular have requested that we provide them with copies of our completed stories.  We're still learning, but are already seeing our students use these stories in their ministries and having good results. 

Next month I'll share a story of how one pastor is using these stories.