BIBLE STORYING, Article 2: Barriers to the Gospel

In the first article we presented an introduction to Bible Storying based on the book "A Bible Storying Model" by J.O. Terry. In this article we want to review some of the barriers to the Gospel and explain how this method of storying can provide bridges to the Gospel.

HINDRANCES TO THE GOSPEL

There are a number of hindrances to the Gospel. One is limited literacy. Some peoples are non-literate, primary oral communicators, not reading at all. So you can't use a tract or give them a Bible to read. Others have limited literacy from lack of education and struggle with religious and other unfamiliar vocabulary which they do not know. Still others have Bibles or Scripture portions in only the regional or trade language used among their neighboring people groups, but not in their own spoken heart language.

Many are resistant to the Gospel message and any attempts to present it. They may have been cautioned against its message as being Western and part of a plan of Western imperialism. In extreme cases the people may be openly hostile to what they construe as preaching. So any attempt to witness in a manner that suggests preaching is quickly and openly opposed. It may not be the message so much as the manner of the presentation they are rejecting. The same message in a more compatible and culturally acceptable form such as Bible Storying can be both enjoyable and acceptable to listeners.

There are barriers that have to do with the worldview of people groups. If in their worldview there are no concepts about God, creator of the universe, the fact that people in this world are accountable to Him, and that Christ offered the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity, then it is necessary to tell Bible stories so they can understand basic biblical concepts.

One of the most difficult hurdles is the listeners' own view of sin and what must be done about it. It can take time to draw the listeners in and hold their attention long enough for them to say, "We are like those people in the stories who have sinned and are under God's judgment." When the listeners understand their inescapable predicament before a righteous God, then they are ready to hear what God has done to redeem the sinner through Jesus.

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