The Importance of Story Telling

By:  Donna Martin

When our first two grandsons were little, we would tuck them into bed at night when we visited them for the weekend.  We always told them a story before they went to sleep.  The stories were usually mad up on the spot.  Some were very interesting and funny, others were pretty silly.  Each time we visited it became harder and harder to come up with new stories.  Then one day we came up with a brilliant idea that we wished we had begun years earlier.  We began to tell our grandsons Bible stories - the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the spy story of Joshua and Caleb, and stories of the bravery of Queen Esther and Daniel and the lions. The Bible is full of interesting stories about brave people who loved God and lived fearlessly for Him.  We could never have made up stories that were any better.  Too soon that time has passed.  They no longer need to be tucked in, and our storytelling time is only a sweet memory.  I’m not sure who enjoyed that time more, our grandsons or Mike and I.  It was a precious time of laughter and love.

Kids are involved in all kinds of activities in school and outside of school.  In addition to that they spend hours in front of the television and computer or playing with some electronic device.  Even a two year old knows how to operate an Iphone.  In all of our busyness we have somehow lost the personal touch we once had with each other.  Time spent talking with our children is one of the most important things we can to for our children.  And using that time to teach them the truths and real life stories found in the Bible is even more important. In Deuteronomy 12:18 – 19 Joshua instructs the people to teach the words of the Lord, “to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.”  We cannot depend on the Veggie Tales videos to teach our children about God.  We cannot rely on their Sunday morning classes at church.  As  parents and grandparents it is our responsibilities to read God’s Word to them every day and to tell them about God’s goodness and His promises and the truths found in the Bible.

On a recent trip to India we were astonished at the religious customs and beliefs of the people.  To us the stories were shocking and unbelievable.  One of our guides was full of knowledge about his beliefs.  How did he know so much?  We wondered how the people could sincerely believe such things.  The fact was that his parents and grandparents told him the stories.  This is common throughout India.  Religious practices and beliefs are passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation.  It is an important custom.

Christian parents today have Bibles and children’s books full of the truth of God.  We need to make it a habit every day to teach these truths to our children and grandchildren.  In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gave his disciples the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations.  We need to begin making disciple in our homes by teaching our children the true stories found in the Bible.  We need to arm our children with the “with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” (Ephesians 6:17) so that they will be able “stand against powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)  It is so important for us to instill a love of God’s Word into the hearts and lives of our children.  They need to know that the Bible contains the true answers to life’s questions and that it is a roadmap that will help navigate them through life.

“Tell me the story of Jesus; write on my heart every word.  Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.”  Frances J. Crosby

The Martins are available to present “Happy Together” Marriage Enrichment Events for churches and organizations.  To schedule an event call Michael at 940-735-1515. They are certified “Prepare/Enrich” Facilitators and are available to work with couples on an individual basis using the “Prepare/Enrich Assessment.”  They publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues.  You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read, and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriages.com.