Bible Storytelling: Powerful Evangelism + Faith Sharing

Have you ever considered using Bible storytelling as a way to share the Gospel or do evangelism? 

Ava* shares how Bible storytelling is one of the many tools she learned this year at Equip Missionary Training in NYC.

”Here’s the story of my own ‘storytime’ experience recently as I got into conversation with a UPG woman living in New York City—my manicurist!

A few days ago, I went into a nail salon because it was a special day. My sister in law was visiting, and we were going to a Broadway show. 

As I sat down to get my $7 manicure (got to love the Bronx), I looked into the beautiful eyes of my Cambodian manicurist. I then felt the familiar tugging as the Holy Spirit said to my heart, ‘Share a Bible story with her.‘

I began the familiar arguing. ‘Here, Lord?! I am just here to have a good time with my sister in law! Do I ever get a break from sharing? What if my sister in law sees me get rejected?’

‘Share a Bible story with her, and watch Me work. I will give you the words. I always do.’

Then I remembered what one of our trainers at Equip taught us early on this year. It only takes one moment of courage to share the Gospel, and after that, you just get to coast.

So, I took a deep breath. I prayed for the Lord to speak as I opened my mouth. Then, I stepped out of the boat to share God’s Word with my manicurist.

‘Did you and your family celebrate Easter this year? No? Easter is my favorite holiday to celebrate because we get to remember this amazing story that gives my entire life meaning and hope. Would you like to hear it?'”

What Is Bible Storytelling?

Bible storytelling involves retelling stories from the Bible as a way to engage in spiritual conversations with people unfamiliar with the Bible or Christianity. 

You can use Bible storytelling during children’s ministry or Sunday school, but this blog will focus on using it with non believers. 

Many cross cultural workers will work on extemporaneously sharing a biblical story or memorizing it almost word for word so that they can share it at any time. 

Bible storytelling is a very easy and effective way to evangelize and share the Gospel.

In this blog, you will learn about:

• Storytelling in the Bible
• Tips for using Bible storytelling for evangelism
• Other important tools for sharing the Gospel effectively 

Why Oral Bible Storytelling

This approach to evangelism is particularly effective in engaging those from Unreached People Groups (UPGs) who are oral learners. 

We consider a people group unreached when there is no indigenous community of Jesus’ followers able to engage this people group with church planting. Technically speaking, in a UPG less than 2 percent of the population actively follows Jesus

Oral Bible Storytelling is an evangelism strategy that focuses on sharing stories from the Bible out loud from memory, instead of reading them.

Many people groups tell stories to impart important values and cultural history. Discipleship of UPGs often involves a “storytime” that highlights God’s story as told in the Bible—just like Ava’s story!

So, what happened next with Ava? Read on to find out! 

Bible Storytelling Examples

Ava’s story continues,

“I asked my manicurist, Srey Mom*, if she would like to hear a good story that was precious to me. From there, God did something incredible, just like I felt in my heart He would. 

I felt empowered by the Holy Spirit as I shared the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection from the New Testament and how He appeared to some disciples on the road to Emmaus. 

Srey Mom began to ask me all kinds of questions about the story I told, and I got to follow up and share my testimony with her. 

This sweet Cambodian woman with the kind eyes broke down in tears as she told me her life’s story. Srey Mom bemoaned how it feels like all she does is wake up and go to work then go back to sleep at night.

She said to me, ‘If what you say is true, then this is the cure for my hopelessness. Please tell me more stories like this.‘

I obliged, and I told her the Gospel story about how Jesus gave people hope when there was no hope.” 

Bible Storytelling from the Old and New Testaments

Because the Bible is 1 big story with 2 parts, it is helpful to connect stories from both the Old and New Testaments when Bible storytelling. Here’s how she did that:

“I told Srey Mom that it all started with a good story in the Old Testament—that in the beginning, God created a perfect world, where there was no brokenness or sadness or hopelessness. 

But, when shame (sin) entered the world, God had to make a way for us to get back to Him. And that is when He decided to send His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for everything we have done wrong. 

I was able to tell her, much to her surprise, it does not matter how many good deeds we do — we cannot earn our way to heaven. All we have to do in order to have hope for the future is to accept these stories of the Bible as true in our hearts.

The story of this interaction with Srey Mom is a powerful example of how the Holy Spirit works through Bible storytelling. My new friend is excited about learning more of these stories. 

We found an app on her phone with the Bible in Khmer, her heart language. Soon, we will be going through more of these stories of hope together in a Discovery Bible Study.”

And speaking of Bible study, there are so many examples of storytelling in Scripture. Let’s explore a few.

Storytelling in the Bible

Jesus knew just how powerful storytelling can be—He told stories everywhere He went! 

The Parables of Jesus in the Gospels are wonderful examples of engaging people through the medium of story. 

Stories like these offer valuable lessons through vivid imagery and shared experiences of joy and pain.

Remember some of these parables from the New Testament?

• The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
• The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
• The Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27)
• The Sower (Mark 4:1-20)
• The Lost Sheep  (Luke 15:3-7)

Many Christians are familiar with these parables, but many non believers (especially those from UPGs) have never even heard them!

Through Bible storytelling and sharing these passages with spiritually interested people, we can help convey deep truths in a compelling way.

Want to know more about how to do Bible storytelling? This section is for you!

Bible Storytelling Tips 

Ava shares,

“This year, I have found that beginning with Bible storytelling is an incredible way to do evangelism and share the Gospel with someone who may even be hearing it for the first time.” 

Here are some ways you can start Bible storytelling as a way to share your faith:

Create a Storybook for Practice 

Compile a list of your favorite parables that Jesus told in the Gospels—maybe just 3-5 to start.

Choose ones that have a deep significance to you. (Your enthusiasm will help you tell stories better!)

Don’t forget to include some relevant stories from the Old Testament too!

Read and Repeat 

Read the story over and over again. Read and re read the parables until you are familiar with the Bible story enough to tell it in your own words. 

Would you be more comfortable having it memorized word for word or just being familiar with it? You may listen to a recording of the passage in a particular translation on a loop, or meditate on the words. 

If your story isn’t a whole chapter, on an iPhone you can record a voice memo of yourself reading it. On an Android, you can download a free, simple recording app if your phone doesn’t already have one built in.

Practice Sharing with Others 

Any good storyteller knows that practice makes perfect! Gather some friends or a small group to practice Bible storytelling the parables and stories you have learned. Listen to their feedback to help you practice telling them naturally.

As you practice retelling stories from the Bible, it will be easier to recall them when you are in conversation with non believers.

Bible storytelling allows you to see if a person’s heart is fertile soil and if they are interested in talking about spiritual things.

Ava concludes,

“It does not always yield incredible results such as this story with my manicurist, but as long as we are being faithful to share, the rest is the Holy Spirit’s job. 

We can leave the results up to Him. How freeing—we just have to obey.”

Learn to Do Bible Storytelling!

Is God calling to missions? Bible storytelling is only one part of the Toolbelt we equip our missionaries in training with. 

During our 10 month program, you’ll also learn: 

• Living Out Loud
• Dialogue Sets
• Qur’anic Bridging
• Oral Storying
• Personal Testimony
• Prophetic Evangelism
• Gospel Presentation
• Discovery Bible Studies
• Ethnography
• Biblical Depth
• Language Proficiency

Learn more about our full toolbelt in Equip, our 10 month missionary training program. Check it out now!

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