The Final Question Is…? Or, How to Close a Bible Storying Discussion

By Jenny Giezendanner

 

“So what have you learned today?” We tell Bible stories so people learn and change. We ask questions to help them learn and change. For Bible storying and similar types of group devotions, one common approach to interacting with listeners follows the sequence of observation, interpretation, and then application. First, the facilitator asks questions to ensure that everyone in the group is tracking with the key facts of the story. During the interpretation stage, the facilitator stimulates the group into exploring the meaning behind the actions taken in the story. Finally, for the application, the facilitator asks the learners to think about how they will implement their new insights in their own lives. The rationale for this approach stems from the apostle James himself: looking in a mirror certainly doesn’t help unless the viewer takes fitting action! (James 1:22-25)

In another approach to leading a discussion of oral Bible stories the storyer uses a standard set of “five questions.” This practice has the advantage that the questions become easy to remember and are always ready to use. A disadvantage emerges as well: these five questions may not relate naturally to every story, so good storyers find they must carefully adapt them to individual stories after all. The repeated same five questions may also become boring for some listeners.

Yet another, more serious, deficiency is inherent in both the “five questions” and the observation, interpretation, application series. It leads to what I call the “guilt-trip syndrome” of Bible study. After a steady stream of sessions ending with application or “What will I do with what I have just learned?” a listener may see his slow progress in making all those applications accumulate. The many ways in which his life still falls short is growing, even if he is trying hard! The resulting cognitive dissonance and frustration become increasingly discouraging.

A believer, seeker, or accidental participant in a Bible storying session is rightly challenged to see the relevance of God’s Word to his or her life. But is this the only or even the main reason for sharing God’s wonderful truth with her? And is it a respectful and effective process? I don’t think so. The Bible and its amazing story of God’s love for mankind is first of all a story about God Himself.  He seeks to be honoured and appreciated for His glorious works, His loving heart, and His great sacrifice in Jesus Christ. He wants us to embrace His forgiveness, listen carefully to His Holy Spirit, and stand in awe of His power. And He wants all this to overflow into the lives of other people around us. Therefore, the best final question is simply about God. In all kinds of variations possible, it should be something like, “How does this passage reveal what an amazing God we have?” or “What do we see now about God’s character that impresses us most?” or “What do you now appreciate about God that you never saw In any presentation, it is the opening and the closing that stick longest. As we lead others through the beautiful stories of Scripture, let us end our sessions by stopping together to marvel and meditate on God Himself. In taking our eyes off ourselves the One who loves us changes us. It is good to “think on these things."

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