Body, Mind or Soul ?

Body, Mind or Soul ?

A Holistic and Systemic Presentation of God’s Word through Chronological Bible Storying

Sept. ‘01

Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias said: “The ability for abstract reasoning is diminishing in our time. When you really start to argue with somebody and start with a minor premise and a major premise, build a syllogism and enter into a deduction, the average person loses you halfway through, because they…come to their conclusions on the basis of images… Their capacity for abstract reasoning is gone…”

“Mind Games in a World of Images,” sermon, 1993

There has been a ‘humiliation of the word,’ Zacharias said, and an ‘exaltation of images.’

“More and more [we] are knowing less and less about the printed tradition… and electronic images are being ingrained on the consciences of millions of people,” he said.

“Mind Games in a World of Images,” sermon, 1993

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

What is good or best?

What is done?

There are four areas that affect man...

4 Basic Worldview Questions

Who am I?

What is it to be human?

Where am I?

What is the nature of the world?

Issues of cause and effect.

What happened?

Issues of evil, suffering, sin, etc.

What can be done about it?

How to cope. Issues of salvation.

Our Traditional Approach to Addressing These Questions

God loves you and has a plan for your life.

Man is sinful and is separated from God.

Jesus is God’s provision.

You can receive Him and can know and experience God.

We ask: Do you believe all this is true?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

Our Traditional Approach

What have we changed with this propositional

approach?


What is done?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?


What have we not changed with this

propositional approach?


What is done?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

What have we not changed with this

propositional approach?



What is done?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?Other approaches set out to change behavior.


What is done?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?



What is done?

MAR.KET.ING [All business activity involved in the moving of goods from the producer to the consumer, including, selling, advertising, packaging, etc.] Webster’s Dictionary While a change of behavior is the main goal, attempts are made at value and belief modifications, as well.

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?



What is done?

But again, in attempting to change behavior, what

do we not change?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

But again, in attempting to change behavior, what

do we not change?

Other approaches set out to change behavior.


What is done?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?


What is done?

SYN.CRE.TISM [The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs or practices in religion] Webster’s Dictionary

Focusing on propositional truth or behavior change

could result in SYNCRETISM.

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?


What is done?

SYN.CRE.TISM [The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs or practices in religion] Webster’s Dictionary

That is, a thin veneer of Christianity (or a thick one) over the old worldview!

Focusing on propositional truth or behavior change

could result in SYNCRETISM.

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

The use of the narrative- the story-

addresses the very core of who we are...


What is done?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

…and worldview helps determine story

selection, keeping in mind those bridges and barriers to the Gospel

found within the culture.

The use of the narrative- the story-

addresses the very core of who we are...


What is done?

Stories of God Culture

Bridges

Bridges are existing beliefs, interests,

concerns or situations that

predispose a person to the Gospel.

These bridges are God-given

opportunities.

Stories of God Culture

Bridges

Cultural Stories

Redemptive Analogies

Prior Knowledge Curiosity

Dreams

Some bridges include...

Stories of God

Barriers

Barriers are those beliefs, interests,

concerns or situations that keep a person from hearing,

understanding or receiving the Gospel.

Culture

Stories of God

Barriers

Types of barriers include...

Religious

HeartIntellectual

Language

Psychological

Physical

Social

EmotionalCulture

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

Biblical scholar N.T. Wright suggests that to replace one’s life stories

at the core, you do it with better stories.


What is done?

Worldview

Beliefs

Values

Behavior

What is real?

What is true?

And when you change the core, you can

change beliefs, values, and behavior as well.


What is done?

Biblical scholar N.T. Wright suggests that to replace one’s life stories

at the core, you do it with better stories.

Syncretism

Let’s take a look at the

Gospel filtered by

worldviews, cultures, learning

styles, and preferences.

..

G NO E

O W D S

GOD’S GOD’S UNCHANGING UNCHANGING TRUTHTRUTH

G NO E

O W D S


““MY” CONTEXT / MY” CONTEXT / FORMATTING FORMATTING STYLESTYLE

G NO E

O W D S



““THEIR” THEIR” CONTEXT / CONTEXT / FORMATTING FORMATTING STYLESTYLE

G NO E

O W D S



““THEIR” THEIR” CONTEXT / CONTEXT / FORMATTING FORMATTING STYLESTYLE

NOT MUCH NOT MUCH OF THE

OF THE GOOD NEWS GOOD NEWS IS LEFT

IS LEFT UNAFFECTEDUNAFFECTED

..

TYPICAL TRADITIONAL APPROACHTO EVANGELIZATION - The "I " Model

LOSTNESS OF MAN

Little or No Thoughtto Their Worldview

Our Concept of GospelShaped by Our Worldview

Gospel as Set of TheologicalPropositions

Our Preference for Most"Efficient" Mode of Teaching

Literate Word Culture

Selection of Theological

Propositions

Organization of LogicalPresentation

Expositional, Propositional,

Content- CenteredPresentation with

Little or No Thoughtof Reproducibility

jot/12-96 tradi.ohp

Our traditional approach to evangelism and church development often includes these segments:

EVGEVG DISCDISC LDR DEVLDR DEV MSSNMSSN

OurTraditionalProcess

However, the separate and independent implementation of these strategies doesn’t necessarily get us to where we want to go...


which is an evangelized, discipled, and adequately trained & equipped believer incorporated into a reproducing, indigenous church!

Remember,

1 + 1 + 1 + 1doesn’t always =

4 !( It could be just 1+1+1+1 ! )


We often become diversified, fragmented and off-track!

EVGEVG + DISCDISC + LDR DEVLDR DEV + MSSNMSSN = GOALS !


Remember,1 + 1 + 1 + 1

doesn’t always = 4 !

( It could be just 1+1+1+1 ! )

Working a process, rather than taking a step-by-step linear approach, accelerates what we are after and helps insure that we achieve what we set out to do!


You see, many people see Chronological Bible Storying only as a methodology they can put into their evangelism toolbox...


You see, many people see Chronological Bible Storying only as a methodology they can put into their evangelism toolbox...


NOT !

Chronological Bible Storying is not a methodology, it is a missiology; it is not a product, it is a process...


We like to say that Chronological Bible Storying is systemic...

SYS.TEM.IC [of a system; of or affecting the entire organism or bodily system.] Webster’s Dictionary

Instead of looking at it like this...

We might want to look at it like this...

GOALEVGEVG + DISCDISC + LDR DEVLDR DEV + MSSNMSSN =


Evangelism

Leader Training

DiscipleshipMissions

CPM

CPM

CPM

CPM

Core Truths and WorldviewCore Truths and Worldview

ASystemicProcess

Driven by an Core Biblical Truths & Worldview, each element is integrated, a vital part of the other. Evangelism is not just a step or single element leading to our goal, but is foundational… Evangelism is part of discipleship, which is part of leader development, which is part of missions, which is part of evangelism, which is part of…

ASystemicProcess

We are always looking at the bigger

picture...THE WORD OF GOD

THE WORD OF GOD

CULTURE & WORLDVIEWCULTURE &

WORLDVIEW

CONVERSIONCONVERSION

impacting

leading to

and a CPMCPM

Language & CultureWorldview

Bridges and Barriers

Lostness of ManFoundational Truths

Track Objectives

Examine Story List

Trial Story Set

Review Prepare Story Sessions DialogueStory

Test Set and Sessions

Adjust Story Set

Model Story and Session Set Oral Model

Clarified Objectives

w/Small Test Group

Shell Model

Additional Barriers

w/Coworkers

Other Factors

Exhaustive Story List

Time Limitations

Core Story List

The

Lom

e’

Y

CHRONOLOGICAL STORYING PROCESS

Genesis Gospels Acts 12 Acts 12-28 Epistles Revelation

Evangelization

Church Church PLANTINGPLANTING Phase Phase

Since storying is chronological, it is best to begin with Genesis. When you are working with a group of non-Christians, it is good to journey with your oral learners down through Acts 12.



Evangelization

Discipling


After the Evangelization Track, you begin discipling new believers by going right back to the beginning -- Genesis! This time everyone is looking at these stories through the eyes of a believer and the stories take on new significance.



Evangelization

Discipling

New Evangelization Track


Some non-believers might be present during this discipling phase, so be sensitive to those who need to be separated as Christians and those who might need to participate in another New Evangelization Track, again starting with Genesis.



Evangelization

Discipling



It is during this discipling phase that you will want to establish the new church and encourage the new believers to go out and begin their own storying group, using the familiar stories of the Evangelism Track.

Establish a New Church

Evangelization




Evangelization

Discipling


Characterization

End Times

Here is a progression of phases and tracks as you use storying in the planting of a church. Notice the integration of the phases and tracks.


Church Church STRENGTHENINGSTRENGTHENING Phase Phase

Genesis Gospels Acts Epistles Revelation

Thematic - Basic Truth Tracks for Maturing BelieverThematic - Basic Truth Tracks for Maturing Believer

Teaching Tracks for Church LeadersTeaching Tracks for Church Leaders

Pulpit Tracks for Church LeadersPulpit Tracks for Church Leaders

Specialized Tracks for Specific Believers

New Evang. TracksNew Evang. Tracks

New Evang. TracksNew Evang. Tracks

This is what the Church STRENGTHENING Phase might look like. The storying method does not have to stop at any point. Different tracks can address many different issues.

-8 No Awareness of the Gospel-7-6 Knowledge of Gospel Basics-5 Understanding Gospel Implications-4 Positive Attitude Toward Becoming a Christian-3 Problem Recognition-2-1 0 Change of Allegiance+1 Re-evaluation+2 Incorporation into Church+3 Spiritually Reproducing

Source: “Developing a Media Strategy to Reach an Unreached People Group”

Storying in a Multiple Media StrategyThe Yao Project

The Yao are an unreached people in central Africa. They are also traditional Muslims. They were determined by Christians to be at a -7 on this decision scale.

-8 -7-6 -5 -4-3-2-1 0 +1+2 +3 RadioRadio Event Event Lit/AudioLit/Audio StoryingStorying ContactContact

SSPPIIRRIITTUUAALL

DDEECCIISSIIOONN

SSCCAALLEE

The Yao Project

Storying in a Multiple Media Strategy

Several media were determined to be effective among this people. Storying played a significant role.

-8 -7-6 -5 -4-3-2-1 0 +1+2 +3 RadioRadio Event Event Lit/AudioLit/Audio StoryingStorying ContactContact

Source: “Developing a Media Strategy to Reach an Unreached People Group”

SSPPIIRRIITTUUAALL

DDEECCIISSIIOONN

SSCCAALLEE

The Yao Project

More effective at some stages than at others, the different communications vehicles worked together, leading people to the point of conversion and into discipleship.

Storying in a Multiple Media Strategy

Variations of shapes refer to degrees of effectiveness at the stages in the scale.

A CBS PRACTITIONER ON THE MISSION FIELD SAYS:

If the Bible itself sets out any methodology for communication to the masses, and if the Bible is important in leading people to Christ,then progressive revelation, [which equates to our term "chronological”] and the fact that all we do is directly from the Bible, [which equates to our term ”Bible”] and the fact that 3/4 of the Bible is clearly orally communicated [which equates to our term "storying”] should be enough to convince most that Chronological Bible Storying is proven to bring people to faith in Christ and mature them. Add to this the fact that the method was clearly and predominately used by Jesus,and that it was used quite successfully by Him and the apostles to lead people to faith in Him.

Body, Mind or Soul ?

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