Bible – OralityTalks

Discover the Power of Narrative Preaching

Ezekiel A. Ajibade — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 01:52:48 +0000

In this inspiring talk, Dr. Ezekiel Ajibade discusses why storytelling is central to African communication and biblical teaching. First, he lays the foundation for narrative preaching, then unpacks how narrative preaching moves hearts, engages imagination, and reflects God’s purposeful action in history. Drawing from both theology and experience, Ezekiel challenges us to preach with vivid, relatable stories that show, rather than tell, the truth of Scripture and challenges the listener to take action.

Read the related journal article.

Check out further resources about narrative theology and download the slides used in the presentation at OralityResources.International.

Resources

Transformative Storytelling Strategies

Havilah Dharamraj — Thu, 15 May 2025 02:56:25 +0000

Using the story of Jacob and Laban as an example, Havilah demonstrates how engage people with Biblical stories—ultimately leading to personal transformation.

She emphasized four key points that are important when using a story for preaching, Bible study, or discussion groups:

Let the story speak for itself. Allow the story to make its own point. There is no need to break it up into sections or points.
Build a bridge to the world of the story. Help listeners understand the original context and culture.
Bridge the story to the listener’s world. Make meaningful connections to the audience’s own experiences and challenges.
Place the story within the Bible’s metanarrative and show how it fits into the overarching narrative of God’s redemptive plan.

Havilah’s approach reminds us that the power of biblical storytelling lies not in dissecting the text, but in inviting people to encounter God through the story as a whole.

Holistic Hermeneutics: Interpreting Scripture in Light of Oral Tradition

Joshua C. Frost — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 01:51:12 +0000

Joshua emphasized the significance of understanding the role of emotions in Bible interpretation. He discussed the emotional aspects of a biblical passage, the importance of understanding character emotions, and the challenges of interpreting emotions across different cultures.

Read the related article.

Check out further resources about orality in holistic hermeneutics at OralityResources.International.

Resources

Narrative Theology: Discovering God’s Great Story

Tom Steffen — Thu, 09 May 2024 05:41:34 +0000

Tom Steffen discussed Narrative Theology, emphasizing the importance of viewing Scripture as a collection of stories that shape our understanding of God. He explored different theological perspectives and the impact of oral and written mediums on interpreting Scripture. The narrative approach aims to provide a holistic understanding of God’s message, challenging traditional views of Scripture.

Steffen also touched on the evolution of theological movements and the significance of incorporating storytelling in theological studies. Ultimately, he advocated for embracing the narrative elements of the Bible to gain a deeper insight into God’s intentions and teachings.

Daniel, Jay, and Joshua followed up with a discussion of Paul’s approach to narrative theology in the letter to the church in Rome. Charles Madinger brought it all together and challenged the participants to apply it in their respective ministries.

Read the related journal article and Tom’s book, Narrative Theology, and its accompanying review.

Check out further resources about narrative theology and download the slides used in the presentation at OralityResources.International.

Resources

Check out more resources on Narrative on GOMAP and corresponding training materials at Orality.Academy.

Language: Unleashing Its Hidden Powers

Wayne Dye — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 23:43:00 +0000

During his talk, Wayne Dye highlighted the significance of understanding and using the language of the people we wish to engage with the Good News. Drawing from Biblical and cultural examples, he emphasized how important it is to communicate in a way that resonates with the listener and helps them connect with the message being conveyed. Whether using analogies, metaphors, or examples familiar to the listener, speaking in their language helps break down barriers, build trust, and ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the Good News. By taking the time to learn and use the language of those we seek to reach, we can more effectively share the love and hope of the Gospel with them and positively impact their lives.

Read the related journal article.

Discover more about Language through our training materials at Orality.Academy!

Check out more resources about Language on gomap.

Orality & Scripture Engagement

Durk Meijer — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:22:23 +0000

In this webinar, Durk Meijer discussed the importance of engaging people with Scripture. He emphasized that giving oral learners a book will not result in them reading it.

Instead, engaging people means using formats they know and love. It means building trusting relationships and using simple stories instead of abstract concepts.

Discover more about Language through our training materials at Orality.Academy!

Check out more resources about Language on gomap.