The Power of a Story

When he had to confront King David, Nathan told a story. When Joshua urged Israel to choose whom they would serve, he told a story. When the Son of God wanted to reveal truth to His followers, He too told a story.

Throughout human history, stories have served people in important ways. Stories have been used to teach history, to connect people to their communities or tribes, and to reveal the visible work of the invisible God in His world, among other things. When Nathan chose to tell a story about an oppressive and greedy rich man killing a lamb, his purpose was simple: to confront David with the truth of his moral failure.

In our current era, we tend to relegate stories to a place of “entertaining fictions.” Seeing stories through this lens, however, is far too limiting for those of us who believe in the unmatched creative powers of our God. Seeing stories only as entertainment limits their ability to speak truth about the world, relationships, and God. Let’s take our cue from Nathan and embrace the powerful ways stories can work in our lives. As the Bible makes clear, stories have always been, and will continue to be, a great deal more than a pleasant way to pass the time.

They can communicate life-changing truths.

Copyright © 2013 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Posted in Bible Characters.

Accuracy, clarity, and practicality all describe the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. Chuck is the chairman of the board at Insight for Living and the chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. Chuck also serves as the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where he is able to do what he loves most—teach the Bible to willing hearts. His focus on practical Bible application has been heard on the Insight for Living radio broadcast since 1979.

ఖచ్చితత్వం, స్పష్టత మరియు ఆచరణాత్మకత అన్నీ చార్లెస్ ఆర్. స్విన్డాల్ యొక్క బైబిల్-బోధనా పరిచర్యను వివరిస్తాయి. చక్ ఇన్సైట్ ఫర్ లివింగ్ కు బోర్డు ఛైర్మన్ మరియు డల్లాస్ థియోలాజికల్ సెమినరీకి ఛాన్సలర్. చక్ టెక్సాస్‌లోని ఫ్రిస్కోలోని స్టోన్‌బ్రయర్ కమ్యూనిటీ చర్చ్ యొక్క సీనియర్ పాస్టర్‌గా కూడా పనిచేస్తున్నారు, అక్కడ ఆయన చాలా ఇష్టపడేదాన్ని చేయగలుగుతున్నాడు-ఇష్టపడే హృదయాలకు బైబిల్ నేర్పిస్తున్నారు. ఆచరణాత్మక బైబిల్ అనువర్తనంపై ఆయన దృష్టి 1979 నుండి ఇన్సైట్ ఫర్ లివింగ్ రేడియో ప్రసారంలో వినబడుచున్నది.