Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt…”
Deuteronomy 26:5a (NIV)
For many years I presented a quarterly one-hour orientation training for one of our clients. It gave new hires a basic understanding of the research, quality assessment, and coaching our team provided. There were two front-line team managers who faithfully attended the orientation. The content of the orientation training never changed, yet the two managers were there every – single – time.
Their regular attendance didn’t bother me, but it did make me curious. Eventually, I asked why they were always there. They laughed.
“We want to hear your stories,” they replied. “The ‘gas station story,’ the ‘swing set story,’ all of them. We just love hearing your stories.”
There is a common obstacle I have observed in young and fledgling preachers I’ve had the privilege of mentoring. They fear that they are going to look and sound ignorant so they pack their message full of iron-clad knowledge of the text, chapter-and-verse. I have reviewed outlines for a thirty-minute message that had enough content for an all-day seminary workshop. That’s a problem, because my 45 years of preaching experience has taught me one important truth:
What people want is a good story.
Today’s chapter wraps up a major section of Moses’ final message to his people. He’s reminded them of God’s commands and requirements. Now, he gives them an assignment for the day they finally find themselves settled in the promised land. They are to take ten-percent of the “first fruits” of their harvest and take it to the Temple. Once there, they are to gratefully present their gift. Then, they are to tell the story of their people.
- “My father was a wandering Aramean…”
- Slavery.
- Crying out.
- Deliverance.
- Land.
- Abundance.
The story is packed with meaning. The story is personal and compelling. The story holds an infinite number of lessons.
Don’t recite a list of lessons.
Just tell the story.
In fact, Jesus used the same pedagogy. He told stories. And when Jesus ascended into heaven He told His followers to be “witnesses.” What does a witness do? A witness gets up on the stand and tells their story. And the story Moses tells his people to share is connected to the story Jesus wants me to share.
Slavery → Cry → Deliverance → Gifted Land
Sin → Desperation → Christ → New Life
Very rarely has anyone recited back to me the content of a training session or message I’ve delivered. It is very common for people to tell me, “I remember that story you told.”
In the quiet this morning, I find God echoing the simple foundation of His message throughout the entire Great Story from Genesis to Revelation.
Trust the Story. Tell the Story.
So, my friend, let me tell the Story of what Jesus has done for me…
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
