This week I’ve had the privilege of leading the campus revival at Abundant Life School in Sherwood, AR.  As I’ve been speaking to the kids in the mornings, I’ve been taking them through “the story of the gospel.”  In particular, I’ve walked them through the four grand movements of the Christian story:  (1) creation, (2) fall, (3) redemption, (4) restoration.

            I believe increasingly that such a story-approach to the gospel (i.e., presenting it in terms of a narrative that shares the qualities of all great narratives – conflict, drama, a hero, unlikely resolution, etc.) is an effective means by which to introduce and re-introduce the gospel to people.  It has been an honor to speak to the students of our story…which has the distinction of also being the truth!

            Lest you think this approach to presenting the gospel is new and dubious, I’ll remind you of some familiar words composed originally in 1866 with which you are no doubt familiar:

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
 To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems 
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
 And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
 What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard 
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
 Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
 And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, 
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

The gospel is a grand story indeed, and presenting it in story form is effective for a number of reasons.  As I’ve reflected on this approach, a few reasons for its desirability have risen to the top.

• Stories are engaging whereas dry didactic approaches, even of great and grand truths, often fail to hold the attention of the audience.

• The story format carries implicit movement and expectation.

• The gospel really is an astounding story of an astounding truth!

• We live in a narrative-soaked culture.  Saying, “Let me tell you a great story…” carries great weight in our culture.

• Ending the story with, “Now here’s the really amazing part:  this story that you’ve heard…is actually true!” communicates the great drama of reality for what it really is – an amazing adventure.

• So many secular stories in our culture have (understandably) borrowed or even lived somewhat parasitically off of the Christian story that those unfamiliar with the gospel will still be somewhat familiar with some of its themes (the dying-rising hero, the fall of those who need rescuing, secured and offered salvation, etc.).

As I say, it’s been a joy to spend some time with these kids.  In particular, it’s been a joy getting to retell the story.  It is, after all, a story worth telling!