The Power of a Story
My early childhood education instructor asked me how I was enjoying running my church nursery. This was in the days when Relief Society was held during the week. I told her that the lessons were frustrating to me, because I couldn’t get the children to leave their toys to come to the lesson area. She suggested that I learn to tell a few stories and that after calling the children to the lesson, I go promptly to my chair and start to tell the story. I tried this and was amazed by the results. As soon as I said the magic words, “Once upon a time . . . ” the children looked up from their games. I spoke softly so that it wasn’t easy to hear what I was saying, but my voice rose and fell, capturing their attention. One by one they crept to the chairs and by the time the story had ended, all the children were in their seats.
Jesus often taught by telling stories. He understood that important truths can often be taught better by a carefully chosen story than by any other method. Those who have the greatest knowledge will gain the greatest good from the story, but even the beginner can enjoy the story and learn a simple truth or two. Storytelling isn’t just a skill for Primary teachers. Students of all age are captivated by a well-told, well-chosen story.
To demonstrate, read this article which my dear friend Patricia Wiles wrote as a guest column for my site. Visiting Teaching: Building a Shelter From Life’s Storms. Everything Patricia taught in her article could have been taught through lecture. She could have explained that we need to show the sisters that we love them and to help them realize they are more than just an assignment. She could have told us that we would gain as much from providing the service as those we visited would gain. There were a number of valuable lessons to be learned in this article, and she could have just told us what they were. Instead, Patricia shared a story. Through this touching experience, we were able to learn the message in a way that would stay with us.
Giving the lesson as straight advice would still be effective. Sharing the information through a story, however, gives the lesson an impact that would have difficult to achieve any other way. I remember the story and feel the power of the message in a way a typical lesson could not accomplish. I can clearly see the women standing at the ruins of the home, and sharing the both the sadness for the tragedy and the gratitude for the friend's safety. I can feel the strength Patricia and Pat gave their friend by coming to her, by sharing a hug and love and compassion. These images imprinted themselves into my mind and heart, and are ready to be recalled at a moment’s notice when I need them. In addition, because the message was given through a story, I can pull additional messages from the experience as I am looking for new lessons over time.
Although Patricia is uniquely gifted, you do not have to be a talented writer or storyteller to share tales that have the power to change lives. Choose a story that touches you and learn to tell it from your heart. It will work its magic.
By Terrie Lynn Bittner