A Guide To Storytelling - Part 1

Storytelling was Jesus’ primary means of relating to people during his ministry. Matthew 13:34, says, “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. This fulfilled the prophecy that said I will speak to you in parables. I will explain mysteries hidden since the creation of the world.” NLT

Jesus understood the power of stories. Throughout the history of mankind, we have been telling each other stories. Today’s film industry is just a reflection of the story-telling process that Jesus embraced. Jesus spoke stories and parables that were saturated with vivid, visual imagery. Everyone wants to hear and see a good story.

So how did Jesus use parables to reveal the hidden mysteries of God? First, he always had a point. All good stories are about something. We are all familiar with the story of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-36. In fact, Hollywood has made many versions of this story throughout the years. It’s a story about a Jewish man who is traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and is attacked by bandits. Laying on the side of the road, he is left for dead. Along came a Jewish priest and a temple assistant, who should have offered help but passed him by. The most unlikely person, a Samaritan, helps the injured man. He soothes his wounds with medicine and bandages his wounds. Then he puts the man on his donkey and takes him to an inn where he can be cared for. Amazingly, the good Samaritan pays all the expenses for the man’s recovery.

In verse 36 Jesus asks this question, “Which one of these three men do you think was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by the robbers?” NCV It is a very profound question. Jesus was making a point that the so-called religious people are often the ones who are more interested in themselves than in loving and caring for people. The Samaritans were despised by Jewish culture and were considered outcasts. So why would a Samaritan offer help and assistance to a Jewish man? That was Jesus’ point. We are all created equal in the sight of God. We all have value. Those we think will not help us can be our greatest allies.

What a great story. No wonder Hollywood has embraced it so often. The good Samaritan story is about ideas. Strong and powerful ideas are what drive great films. Filmmakers can look to Jesus for their inspiration for telling compelling stories.

Jesus used symbolism and metaphors. Often he would start a parable by saying “the Kingdom of God is like”. Why didn’t Jesus say “the Kingdom of God is” and explain it? There is a profound difference between the two. Jesus was telling a story and trying to draw his audience into it. He wanted to make the story mysterious and intriguing because the listener would have to pay close attention and be involved in the process in order to discover the meaning. The parable might say something different to each member of the audience. By using the phrase, the Kingdom of God is like, it became more of a subjective process.

What are symbolism and metaphors? Symbolism and metaphors help to forge a connection between dissimilar objects and themes. This concept is illustrated in the parable of the sowing of the seed. The story involves a farmer planting seed. He threw it across the field. Some fell on a footpath, some fell on shallow soil, some fell among thorns and some fell on fertile soil. Each seed produced some sort of result. Some seeds were successful and some failed. Jesus used symbolism to reveal the meaning of the story. The seed represented God’s message. The soil represented those who heard the message and how they responded