1. In what setting have you heard someone “sound the Scripture,” telling a Bible story without reading it? How is re-telling a story different from reading it or repeating it from memory? What makes an effective biblical children’s story?
2. John Epp says his early attempts to read the Bible on his own were “far from joyful.” Do you find the words more powerful if they are spoken or if you read them quietly? What role does eye contact play in storytelling? How is a story told in community different from one read in solitude?
3. “Sounding the Scripture” is not simply repeating the words found in the Bible. Does it bother you that a storyteller is also interpreting the story? Does it make you want to check exactly what your translation says? Are we too tied to the text?
4. Do you agree with Epp that, “there is some unease about hearing the Bible boldly told out loud and in public”? Why is a bold new interpretation apt to make us uncomfortable? Is storytelling less controlled than reading? How would you like to see biblical storytelling used in your church?
--Posted Dec. 24, 2013
![Twitter](https://canadianmennonite.org/sites/all/themes/cmm2/images/twitter_article.png)
![Instagram](https://canadianmennonite.org/sites/all/themes/cmm2/images/instagram_article.png)
Add new comment
Canadian Mennonite invites comments and encourages constructive discussion about our content. Actual full names (first and last) are required. Comments are moderated and may be edited. They will not appear online until approved and will be posted during business hours. Some comments may be reproduced in print.