More than two-thirds of the world’s population can’t, won’t, or doesn’t read. Some estimate that as many as 75 percent of all people learn, gather information, and live their daily lives without reading. They do so by listening and watching rather than by reading.

The Church of the Nazarene is responding to the challenge of making disciples of oral learners by introducing a relational small group discipleship tool called Tell THE Story.

Tell THE Story Training at PNC, Philippines being captured by WMC

Tell THE Story is a simple, easy-to-learn method for telling a Bible story accurately. After the story, listeners engage in the story by responding to open ended questions such as, “What stands out to you in this story?”, “What troubles you about this story?”, and “What truths do you find in this story?” This invites the listeners to express their insights about what God is saying to them through the Bible story. Together, the group discovers deep truths as each person shares their perspective, providing ideas that might not be gained in solitude.

This methodology is a tool Jesus used for teaching the crowds. Mark 4:34 points out that Jesus did not speak to the people without using a parable or story.

Dr. Woodie Stevens global director for Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International

“We have proclaimed Jesus’ message; should we not also employ His methodology?” said Woodie Stevens, global discipleship director for the Church of the Nazarene.

Stevens and fellow leader Ray Neu recently held a training session at Philippine Nazarene College. One person reported, “This is so much more than any workshop I have attended before.”

Tell THE Story Training in Vanuatu

Additional trainings have been conducted in several countries, including the Philippines, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the U.S.

For more information about Tell THE Story, visit tellthestory.nazarene.org.