The power of story: why science and Scripture say it works 3x better
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The Bible is filled with stories and lessons…and for a reason. People who have studied how humans learn know that a story helps a person remember a lesson. Jesus' parables have resonated through the ages because a simple story helps humans remember eternal truths. Psalm 78:2–4 says we should teach the next generations with stories of what God has done. And Matthew points out that storytelling was often Jesus' primary way of communicating, "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable" (Matt. 13:34).
Not surprisingly, social scientists confirm that people learn best when a story is attached. Scott Wilcher, who studies storytelling, found that when introducing a change to an organization, the change is almost three times more likely to succeed if a story is attached. This means that when we are trying to bring change in our congregations, if we attach a story, it's almost 3 times more likely that the change will take place.
I learned this power in person, while visiting a colleague's megachurch and interviewing attendees. The church has a unique name: 12Stone Church. The pastor told me they adopted that name because it reminds the congregants that God calls us "to many bold crossings." Previously, the church had been called Cornerstone Church, but the leaders felt that it did not communicate the reliance, power, and overcoming nature that they hoped to instill in the attendees.
Their name recalls the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, when God provided a miracle of stopping the river's flow, allowing them to pass and enter the promised land. In response, the Israelites built a memorial of 12 stones, one stone representing each tribe.
"When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan... and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight."
So Joshua called together the twelve men... and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder... to serve as a sign among you.
In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord... These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." (Joshua 4:1–9 NIV)
The 12 stone monument was designed to bring back memories of the story of God's protection and provision. The church adopted the name 12Stone to help people remember that God provides for them and will protect them, often in miraculous ways.
Visiting 12Stone Church, I interviewed people about their perception of the name. A young lady pointed out that 12Stone means "many bold crossings." She continued, "My husband is not a Christian. And he has no interest in church. But I pray for him and one day I believe he's coming to Christ. And that's gonna be our bold crossing."
Today there is a temptation for speakers to spend more time on their personal story than on a biblical story behind the truth they seek to impart. Personal stories can help the audience relate to the speaker. But, because these stories are often the easiest for the speaker to summon, speakers can get wrapped up in their own stories and not give full due to the biblical stories that people need today.
Studies by Pew Research, The Barna Group and LifeWay Research have found that people today are mostly biblically illiterate, meaning they are unaware of the many stories and lessons in the scriptures. "Our biggest problem is that Bible knowledge is fading away," said Thomas Schirrmacher, secretary-general of the World Evangelical Alliance. And, Albert Mohler, seminary president, stated, "the scandal of biblical illiteracy" is the key problem facing the modern church.
So in your next seminar, sermon, or lesson, share two stories. In addition to sharing your personal story, give more time to a biblical story that will draw your listeners back to the Word.
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Bob Whitesel (D.Min., Ph.D.) is a foresight coach, professor, and award-winning author of 14 books. For over 30 years, he has guided leaders and churches to pivot and engage what’s next. He holds two earned doctorates from Fuller Theological Seminary and teaches on leadership foresight, church health, and organizational change. His website is www.ChurchForesight.com. Learn More » |
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