Storytelling: How to Use This Important Youth Ministry Tool

Storytellingis an important tool in youth ministry. Youth ministers ("we") need to learn how to become effective storytellers.

Sometimes we need to talk to ourselves. There is nothing wrong with doing this for a little while. The joke goes that it is perfectly fine to talk to yourself, it is only time to worry when you start answering yourself. Talking to ourselves helps us to become better storytellers. By doing this, we are telling stories to ourselves.

The Word (scripture) need sot possess us and we need to possess the Word. This means we need to be familiar with the subject. The more familiar we are with the subject, the more it will seem that the subject knows us as well.

Of course, there's the lesson that all people should learn in "Communication 101." K.I.S.S. Yes, even in Youth Ministry, it is time to Keep It Simple, Stupid! (or change the last word to something like Sherlock or Sweetie so it is not a negative word.)

When we are telling stories or saying something, there is an important rule. We need to say it once. Then we need to say it again. Then we need to sit down. We want to remind people of what we have said, but we do not want to seem to forceful.

A story should seem like a good movie. It should keep attention because it is interesting.

A good story will also bring things to remembrance. It is just like starting to sing the theme from The Brady Bunch. After just the first few words ("Here's a story, of a lovely lady"), most people can join in singing the song ("that was bring up three very lovely girls"). Many people will know school house rock songs and can sing along. Make sure the stories you tell incorporate something familiar to the audience.

Many stories have to be "remixed." This means to take something familiar, but then turn it into the story you are wanted to tell. It is often what deejays do. In fact, Jesus was a deejay. He often said, "You have heard it said, but I say. . ." This is a perfect example of a remix of something familiar turned into a new story.