Narrative
Application of Narrative
The greatest collection of literature in Scripture is in the genre of narrative. Eighty-eight of the ninety chapters of Genesis and Exodus are narrative, along with most of Numbers. From the ascension of Joshua to the exaltation of Mordecai, the history of Isr... Read More »
Narrative and Memorization: What Role Does Memorization Play in Storytelling
Everyone loves a good story, and Scripture is filled with them! Noah and the flood, Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22, Ruth, and Jonah come to mind. Much of the Bible is written in narrative genre. All narratives have certain things in common: setting, character... Read More »
The Narrative that Fails: What Makes Some Stories Stick and Others Fail
One of the leading practical theologians that has shaped my preaching and pastoral ministry is my non-theologically trained mother, Kay R. Parks. My mother’s keen perspective comes from the pew as a Christian, parishioner, pastors wife and mother of two budd... Read More »
The Narrative that Works: How to Make a Story Unforgettable
Preaching comes with a set of all too common difficulties that give the most experienced preacher trouble. One of these happens to be preaching through narrative passages. The reason for this has to do with much of the Bible being narrative. Narratives are any... Read More »
The Narrative and Its Construction: Steps to Crafting a Captivating Story
Preaching the Bible in a boring way—that’s just plain wrong. God’s Word is inerrant, inspiring, living, and breathing—and yet sometimes we preach it like it’s dead. We’re all guilty of this—be it from lack of preparation, distracted studying, or ... Read More »
The Narrative and Illustrations: Should Preachers Illustrate a Story with a Story?
Charles Spurgeon said, “It is impossible to lay down a rule as to how much adornment shall be found in each discourse: every man must judge for himself in that matter.”[1]Charles H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, reprint (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979)... Read More »
The Narrative and Setting: What Role Does the Setting Play in Preaching
Everyone loves a good story. This is evident in the number of movies made and the amount of fiction books produced. We love to be teleported to a different time or place. It causes our emotions to experience highs and lows. Stories are wonderful things. But he... Read More »
The Narrative and Characterization: How Biblical Characters Inform the Meaning of a Text
All of life is a story within a story. Jaques in Shakespeare’s play, As you Like it, said it this way, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” At our best, you and I are merely a small part within a much larger drama. ... Read More »
The Narrative and Plot: Why Progression in a Story Matters When Preaching
Stories have a flow and a progression. Some narratives are more rigid like a robot dictating a deposition transcript, and others escort you gently like a feather traveling on a quiet fall breeze. This progression in a narrative is often referred to as plot. Pl... Read More »
