The Power of Story
“Tell me a fact and I will learn. Tell me a truth and I will believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.”
– Native American Proverb
I’ve had quite a few speaking opportunities lately. I take each one seriously. If someone trusts me with their microphone, I want to deliver my very best. So, I take the topic I’m given or the one I feel motivated towards and start outlining my points. First, I write down every truth, principle, memory, thought or question that comes to me, in a ‘stream of consciousness’ way. Then I’ll start researching my files, net-outs of books I’ve read, even re-listening to talks I’ve heard. Before long I’m buried in information.
But I’m learning that information isn’t what moves people. Some think it’s inspiration . . . like a powerful delivery and including at least one huge laugh and one tear-inducing emotional moment. But I’ve learned that when that emotional moment passes, when the talk is over and the real world re-emerges, there isn’t much transformation that’s happened inside people after hearing an inspiring speaker, unless . . .
. . . he tells you a story. A real story, a story that’s relevant to you. One that connects to your life, your history, your problems, your future. The best stories are authentic and personal. My wife and I almost always opt for movies based on a real person or a real story. It’s hard enough to imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes, but it’s even harder to imagine yourself being someone who never really existed!
My best talks come when I tell all or part of my story. Sharing my wounds, my various ‘wandering around’ experiences and the role God played seems to help people ‘get’ what I’m trying to say better than if I spelled it out for them. And these days, most people don’t have the patience or tolerance to have things spelled out. They tune out. Sometimes, my best advice comes from simply telling a relevant part my story. Whether it turned out good or bad or somewhere in between, the message of the story can always be traced back to a Scriptural truth.
It’s amazing to me that even the oldest human stories follow the pattern of the Gospel. There’s the ‘steady state’ situation (Adam and Eve in the garden), the catalytic event that changes everything for the main character (the apple and the fall), the wrestling to get back to the steady state (the children of Israel and the continuous sin of people separating them from God) the climax . . . when the wrestling ends and the tension is resolved (Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection) and then the return to the steady state (forgiveness, peace, eternal life with God in Heaven). Jesus-followers can clearly see and communicate their life stories this way.
If you’ve never put together your life story, do it. You’ll be amazed how many times the Truth you experienced will come out in your story and speak directly to the person you’re sharing with.
Scripture: Jesus told them a story to teach them that they should keep on talking with God and not give up. (Luke 18:1)
Mentor Tip: Telling your story may be the most important determinant of how your mentoring group goes. Radical Mentoring has a useful handout on how to construct and tell your faith story. You can download it here.
Note: Visit 315project.com to watch and experience hundreds of people share their faith stories . . . including some you may actually know!
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Responses (5)
Yes, thank YOU for reminder – especially HIS story!
Thanks Brian
People need hope and it is real life stories that give them hope but that is only a part of what people need. Hope gets them engaged but truth sets them free and truth is not only facts & knowledge but is a person and His name is Jesus. The greatest gift we can give to others is the vision, knowledge and path of how to live in light & truth of which Jesus is both. That is what He meant in the great commission; making disciples by baptism into the Trinitarian relationship as Dallas Willard notes then teaching them how to abide there by learning to obey everything He commanded. The teaching in this context isn’t just information transfer of knowledge but a coming along side and teaching by showing what that looks like as Jesus did with the original 12. When we do this, in fact if anyone has been immersed in this relationship and has been deeply changed by grace can not not reproduce the same, all else will come into proper order. I think the organized church of today needs especially in America needs to do some serious re-evaluating of mission & what is the fruit that lasts.
That’s what Radical Mentoring is totally committed to . . . helping churches come to that direction and move. We believe that starts with men and that’s our calling and passion. Can you help us get RM started in your church? We’d love to help
Regi, we are forever thankful to your willingness to lead and model the humility and intentionality it takes to encourage someone to know and share their story. The 3:15 Project was birthed out of a passion of not only stories but men walking with men to take the time and faith to share their stories from their heart. May God continue to be glorified through the act and worship of telling His story.