Evangelizing that is Reproducible and Sustainable

An artist drew an illustration while I told the Bible story. It was a great aid when reviewing the story with refugee children.

     Many learn Bible Storying in order to use the technique on mission trips. What they learn in the States should be used to accelerate response to the gospel. And the same principles used there should also work in our own backyards, too.

     Two concepts should drive everything that is taught and caught:

1. Reproducibility: If you use a DVD playback system, they’ll need a DVD playback system. If you use an art easel and a variety of watercolors, they’ll need an art easel and a variety of watercolors.
2. Sustainability: If what you do cannot be continued after you pull out support, then whatever you’re doing is not sustainable. While the initial effort (flashy stuff) is fine for some things to draw attention (such as outsiders being there in the first place).

      “Or else” you ask? Or else they won’t evangelize. They can’t pass it along. They’ll shut down.

     The DNA that shaped their belief system is tied to something unattainable in that culture. Oral learners need the whole package. They don’t have good “picking and choosing” skills of an analytical literate worldview learner. Adaptation often takes a higher level of analysis that literate worldview believers appreciate.

     If the medium that carries the message cannot be reproduced by local believers, then it makes them feel inferior, and they rarely follow your example.

     But guess what? There is good news! What you do they’ll do IF you take an oral preference into consideration. And the really amazing thing is that this works not only for orals, but literates, too! (But not the other way around.)