70% of the World are Oral People
The great commission commands us to make disciples of every nation, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus commanded his disciples to do. It is clear that for one to become a disciple, he must know and live according to the God’s word. God’s word transforms those who know and live it out. No ministry, whether evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, or church planting will be successful unless the Word of God is communicated effectively.
An overwhelming two thirds (2/3) of the world’s population are oral people. An oral person is someone who prefers to learn and communicate through oral means, such as story, song, dance, drama and proverbs. He is also someone who cannot or chooses not to learn through reading. For example a study done by the National Endowment for the Arts found that in the US 77% of High School graduates do not read after graduation. They also found that 43% of College and Graduate school graduates do not read after graduation. They can read but chose not to read.
Over 70% of the Bible’s content is made up of stories. Not only that, but Jesus throughout his ministry told stories. “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable.” Mark 4:33-34 Since the Bible is largely stories and Jesus used stories, it only makes sense to communicate the Word of God as stories.
Are we learning the Story well enough to tell a story? Do we limit our ability to reach out and/or grow disciples to material that can be written and read? Is our form of education and discipleship (based on the written word) limiting our scope to a mere 30% of the world?
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Great Post Pastor! You are, AS ALWAYS, right on the mark.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, I can tell you that most people are not fond of having to read more than a paragraph or two, to learn a concept. This is why short blog posts are so popular today. The photos with one line comments are viewed more often than the posts with GREAT STORIES!
Art is a language that can cross all obstacles. Pictures were our first form of story telling.
I say that we all use the talents that He has given us to reach all people.
I am an artist/writer and making things clear on paper is my gift, however, public speaking is my husband's cup of tea. We all can use what we have to teach others about His word.
I have worn many hats, Teacher, Graphic Designer, Children's Pastor, and remain a Student of Cultural Anthropology today.
In all four "hats" I found that each one of us have a learning style that we catch on to faster; Sight, Sound, Hands On, or ALL OF THE ABOVE!
What happens when a Church has a Pastor that tells His word in away that all can understand (as you do every Sunday) and has a team of Teachers that teach the same word in the four different learnig styles, to the Sunday School Classes, Children's Church and Youth Program?
The past Twenty-something years that I worked with Children's Churches, I have noticed that many Children's Programs are pumping in so much at one time that the kids are STRESSED OUT!
The thought seems to be that we have to KEEP UP WITH TV and THE INTERNET. At a Children's Church in Mobile County, I could not tell if I was in a Night Club or Children's Church. The kids loved the balck lights, strobe light, and loud music. The glow in the dark puppet show was funny, however, after the service, not one child could tell me what the story was about.
We, the Church of today, need to find a balance to give our kids a place to DE-STRESS, feel safe, accepted, and have the four learning styles teaching them His word.
The balance is found in between falling asleep while a Teacher uses a dated felt board to tell a Bible story with and the room full of older kids dancing with puppets having a great time, as little Jim cries in the middle of them, because another kid hit him with a ball of dirty socks... Ahhh...There is a balanced tone where kids feel accepted, valued, and are encouraged to use the talents that He has given to them.
Your Church, The Branchville Church, are on to this! My family and I are so happy that we have found our Church Family, A PLACE Where We Belong at last! The Branchville Church is our new Church Home.
Blessings-Joy Graham