Encouraging Feedback about Storying

by Michael Novelli   |  February 19 2009    12:03 PM

A few months back I was able to help lead a Jr. High group in Bible storying, and then meet to train and debrief with the group leaders. It was a lot of fun. I just got some really encouraging feedback about how that group is responding to Bible storying. This may seem like self-promotion, but I don't think of it that way... Storying is bigger than me... so I am grateful to God and want to celebrate with you!

"My daughter comes home every Sunday after church and tells me every detail about Sunday School, from the story itself to the questions and discussion you had afterward. She is really excited about what you're doing and she loves going." – A parent of Jr. high student

"My daughter said, 'Wow, they really teach the Word in our Sunday School class.'" – A father of Jr. high student and Rector of our church.

"I just love the whole "storying" and "narrative" concept. It's been so fun to have a try at writing some of the narratives and allowing myself to approach Scripture with wonder and curiosity. Every Sunday without fail I come away with some new insight." – Rachel, Jr. High Sunday School teacher

"Really the best thing about teaching Sunday School this year has been getting into "The Story" aspect of Scripture. I think that story is a powerful communication tool, and I have seen kids repeat stories we've told almost verbatim. It's pretty incredible." – Dan, Jr. High Sunday School teacher

"What we have done this year has really challenged my traditional concept of a Bible study for the better." -- Kristi, Jr. High Sunday school teacher

"The program and ethos that Michael has developed needs to be wholly embraced in order for this to truly work. It is the belief that "story" really is the most powerful way to communicate God's truth, and everything about what we do revolves around getting into that story and letting the Holy Spirit speak through it. Michael's framework/structure and the activities he places around the storytelling time are also important in releasing the creative and imaginative nature of engaging the story in the way God's people orignally experienced it. I have felt a renewed child-like wonder and child-like faith growing in me as I enter into the new narratives for each week." – Brett Crull, youth pastor at Church of the Resurrection

More News on Low Literacy

by Michael Novelli   |  February 03 2009    04:04 PM

A long-awaited federal study finds that an estimated 32 million adults in the USA — about one in seven — are saddled with such low literacy skills that it would be tough for them to read anything more challenging than a children's picture book or to understand a medication's side effects listed on a pill bottle.


Read entire article from Jan. 8, 2009 USA Today by clicking HERE.

I have noticed when discussing literacy issues many youth workers have reacted with, "Not my students – they all can read well – our schools make sure of it. Your statistics are skewed by immigrants and the poor." My response is, "Don't be so sure..." Concluding that low literacy is just confined to a demographic is an oversimplification of the issue.

About 6 or 7 years ago I began to pay careful attention my youth group's reading and comprehension. The group I was leading at the time was mostly from a very high-rated school system with upper middle class families. Parents moved into this community in order for their children to attend these schools, and bragged about it! When we began using inductive Bible study methods, it became glaringly obvious to me that our students – the rich kids from the highly touted schools – struggled with reading and comprehension. And we were studying some of the "easier" portions of the Bible!

I think some of the struggle with literacy in our culture has a lot to do with a shift in the way people handle information, communicate and learn.
What do you think? What have you noticed?