Whether it is “Once upon a time,” “In a land far, far away,” or “In the beginning,” these phrases always seem to bring a shiver of anticipation. Sometimes it makes me want to put another log on the crackling fire and snuggle up close, a little fearful of the shadows around me. Sometimes I find myself sitting up taller and reaching deep inside for the courage needed to slay dragons in the battle ahead. Sometimes the weight of my shame starts to ease as a beloved mentor says, “Pull up a chair and let me tell you about something that happened to me.” Stories contain a special type of magic.
God began the story of humanity with the words, “In the beginning.” The author of time and space chose to enter into his creation and write the ultimate love story. And we know that Jesus’ favorite style for communication is through storytelling. Why does he choose to tell stories? Jesus tells stories because he is a teacher. His goal is to create connections. He wants to create connections between our actions and consequences; between scripture and life; between brokenness and redemption; between the every day and the eternal. To understand it fully, I think we need to consider the value in storytelling.
STORIES CAN BUILD SAFETY WITH COMPLEX CONTENT. Learning is challenging. Some lessons are so nuanced, so incremental, or so ponderous that a heavy chunk of facts is just too much at one time. Imagine the mind of each student as a vast library filled with shelves. They fit into categories based on content and purpose. There are books arranged around the room, but much of the shelf space is empty. Stories are like new reading material sorted onto the library shelves in such a way as to make them retrievable.
STORIES BUILD BRIDGES TO CONNECT WHAT WE KNOW WITH WHAT WE STILL NEED TO LEARN. Psychologist Lanie Peterson (2018) writes, “Facts enter our brains as data points, but stories connect the dots” (p.2). I found this to be one of the most profound explanations as to why stories are absolute goldmines in the classroom. So much of what we do as educators involves helping students make connections.
STORIES BUILD COMMUNITY. Familiarity and trust is a powerful part of the relationship between the teacher and his/her students. When listening to a story, the students are able to find their place in the story. They feel as if they are part of a shared experience. The classroom becomes a safe place where we do life together. “We’re all in this together,” becomes the refrain.
STORIES CREATE ENGAGEMENT AND BUY-IN. When the students feel invested in the story, they identify with the conflict and believe that they, too, can find resolution; whether in learning difficult content, or in conquering the challenges of life. I have seen students who were usually “way too cool” to join, decide that this was a risk worth taking. Embarrassing becomes fun, vulnerability becomes connection, and isolation becomes community.
STORIES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCIPLESHIP. Stories not only make academic content easier to understand, but it packs a powerful punch in the spiritual domain. Discipleship is one of the most important roles played by Christian educators, but it doesn’t always come naturally. I believe that the easiest way to reach students is through authentic connection. Authentic discipleship is a step beyond the basic presentation of the gospel. It is a deep dive into real life, based on the story of humanity, including our own humanity. Students need to see their teachers experiencing conflict and resolution. Obviously, this needs to be age appropriate, but our humanity is what makes us relatable. Isn’t your testimony more than just your conversion experience? Isn’t it all the stages of the metanarrative you continually experience as a growing Christian? There is power in your story.
Creating a library of stories is the crucial first step. While you might occasionally have an applicable story pop into your mind mid-lesson, it is much better to have stories woven into the fabric of your lesson plan.
I have much to share about the art of telling a story at another time, but we need to begin with choosing stories that enhance our learning units.
As you spread your yearly units out on the desk before you, look for places that cry out for a story. Then ask yourself what type of story is needed to achieve your purpose.
Are you trying to create safety in the learning of a difficult concept?
Is the story meant to build a bridge from a previous lesson to new material?
Are you wanting to build connection and community within your ecosystem?
Are you trying to explain a spiritual truth in a relatable way?
You can do this! Stories are as unique as the storytellers who share them. This allows for something beautiful and magical that only you can bring. You have a story worth sharing. You are a story worth sharing. Moments of encouragement, inspiration, and connection may be as simple as saying, “Once upon a time.”
