Directed Storytelling is for those who need to experience a breakthrough in their prayer walking. It is for disciple makers involved in engaging people, praying, sharing a story, but not making progress beyond that point. It is for workers who have hit a wall.
Directed storytelling asks a follow up question after the primary questions. The primary questions are, "What does this passage teach us about God?" and "What does this passage teach us about people?" The follow up question is a personal application question based on the answer people give or an answer you provide. If you're able to generate a follow up question based on their answer, ask it. If not, ask a prepared follow up question based on your answer. See examples below.
Directed storytelling sets up people for a life changing encounter with God as they live out the story application. This then results in spontaneous sharing with others. Too often, we set people up to share a story after a brief prayer; before they actually interact with God in a life changing way.
Directed storytelling is affirming and positive. It is not wishful or timid. Satan is not whispering to people, neither should we. Satan is loudly telling people are not worthy, useful or valued. Revelation 12:10 He relentlessly reminds them of their failures, and continually accuses them of their guilt. We need to strongly affirm people's value, declare their significance and paint a picture of how fulfilling it is to make disciples. People need to hear us say, "You can do this" and "You were made for this."
Directed storytelling covers the basic spiritual disciplines and helps identify people who should be prioritized. It isn't hard to identify potential persons of peace when they are obeying, confessing sin and sharing God with others.
Directed storytelling can use the following Bible stories. These are just suggestive and are designed to encourage people to obey, confess and tell others.
Story #1: Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers. Luke 17:11-19.
Story #2: The Father Forgives His Wayward Son. Luke 15:11-24
Story #3: Jesus Heals the Demon Possessed Man. Mark 5:1-20
Directed storytelling asks a follow up question after the primary questions. The primary questions are, "What does this passage teach us about God?" and "What does this passage teach us about people?" The follow up question is a personal application question based on the answer people give or an answer you provide. If you're able to generate a follow up question based on their answer, ask it. If not, ask a prepared follow up question based on your answer. See examples below.
Directed storytelling sets up people for a life changing encounter with God as they live out the story application. This then results in spontaneous sharing with others. Too often, we set people up to share a story after a brief prayer; before they actually interact with God in a life changing way.
Directed storytelling is affirming and positive. It is not wishful or timid. Satan is not whispering to people, neither should we. Satan is loudly telling people are not worthy, useful or valued. Revelation 12:10 He relentlessly reminds them of their failures, and continually accuses them of their guilt. We need to strongly affirm people's value, declare their significance and paint a picture of how fulfilling it is to make disciples. People need to hear us say, "You can do this" and "You were made for this."
Directed storytelling covers the basic spiritual disciplines and helps identify people who should be prioritized. It isn't hard to identify potential persons of peace when they are obeying, confessing sin and sharing God with others.
Directed storytelling can use the following Bible stories. These are just suggestive and are designed to encourage people to obey, confess and tell others.
Story #1: Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers. Luke 17:11-19.
- Spiritual discipline: Obedience to God.
- Key truth: When we obey the word of God, we experience the power of God. This comes from the phrase in verse 14, "as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy." Notice the order. It doesn't say they were healed, then they went, it says they went, then they were healed. All too often we think to ourselves, as we experience the power of God, we will obey God. But often the opposite is true. It's as we first obey God, that we then experience His power.
- Follow up question. "In what one area of your life do you need to obey God, so you can experience his power?" If they share, pray for that issue right on the spot. Then commit to keep praying for that person. Check in soon afterward to see if they have experienced God's power. If they have, encourage them to share with others and schedule a second visit to share the next story.
- Golden question. Ask if there are others they know who they can share the story with, once they experience God's power. If so, text them the story along with the primary and follow up question.
Story #2: The Father Forgives His Wayward Son. Luke 15:11-24
- Spiritual discipline: Confession of sin.
- Key truth: When we admit our wrongdoing to God, we experience loving restoration with God. This is seen in the action of the son in verse 18 where he says, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you" and in the actions of the Father in verse 20 where it says, "..his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." God is waiting to demonstrate his healing love as we admit living life apart from Him.
- Follow up question. "Do you need to confess the sin of living life apart from God, so you can experience his loving acceptance and restoration?" If they say yes, ask when they will do so. If it's right on the spot, agree with them in prayer. If not, ask when they will do it. Tell them you will pray daily for them and check to see if they have done it. Once they have, schedule another visit.
- Golden question. Ask if there are others they know who they can share the story with, once they experience God's power. If so, text them the story along with the primary and follow up question.
Story #3: Jesus Heals the Demon Possessed Man. Mark 5:1-20
- Spiritual discipline: Telling others about Jesus.
- Key truth: When we experience the power of God, we naturally share our story about God. This can be seen in verse 20 where it says, "The man started off... And began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them." Let your disciple know that people around them will be amazed to hear what Jesus has done for them.
- Follow up question. "Who needs to hear and be amazed at what Jesus is doing for you?" When they share a few names, ask when they will share with them. Then pray right on the spot. Commit to praying for them and check in to see if they have done it. Once they have, celebrate with them and schedule another visit. Continue disciple making by teaching them about Discovery Bible Study (DBS).