Posted by
Dan and Carole McClelland
Jesus Gathering: God's Story
God really put on our hearts last season a desire to share the simple God story and see the power of the gospel move among people! Therefore, this season for the Jesus Gathering, we are so excited that Caleb Resch is preparing the DTS team each week in storytelling for leading on Saturdays.
Caleb leads our team every Friday in preparing for Jesus Gathering
Caleb and Dan chose 12 stories from the Bible that share the story of God. Then, each week, Caleb, who is a storyteller, tells the story, and our team learns the story, memorizes it and then teaches it the next day for the Jesus Gathering. We do not use the Bible directly but focus on a storytelling curriculum for oral people groups. We have seen amazing deep discussions as we have started this on Saturdays. Honestly, during our recent Jesus Gatherings using this storytelling method, we are experiencing the best discussions and questions, resulting in greater God revelations, than we have since leading "church" here in Jamaica.
Ruth-Ann and JP: Telling the Story
There are four parts to teaching the story. The first part is "telling the story". This is where two students memorize the story following Caleb's exact way of sharing the story; beautifully presented in sign language. Misael and Ray: Teaching the Story
The second part involves two students teaching the story. This is where everyone shares the story with each other as they memorize and tell the story. As people are practicing the story and signing it with their own hands, many questions are stirred up about the story. Many want to jump into discussion, but they must wait!
Tycen and Ellie: Dramatizing the Story
The third part is dramatizing the story. Two different students create a fun drama of the story, acting out the story for the group to watch and remember. This part is creative and usually imvolves some comedy.
Emily and Levi: Discussing the Story
Lastly, the remaining two students, lead the group into a deep discussion about the story, resulting in a deeper application of Biblical truths. The 4 questions asked are:
What did you like about the story? What did you find confusing/or did not like? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about people? Something special about this season is that Olive expressed interest in joining the church part of the Jesus Gathering. She has been sitting in and being part of "church" too! She often needs a little toy to fidget with so she can pay attention and does not get everything, but she is learning and seeing God's story each week.
We are really enjoying our set up for Jesus Gathering this year. We have fun and fellowship. People swim, or play games or chat and catch up. Then we have "church" with God's story and some worship and prayer. Then we share a meal together! Enjoy a few pictures I have captured of the fellowship part!
Also Valor loves Jamaican fruit. He loves going with one of our Jamaican staff, Clifton, and collecting fruits. Clifton made
this video to remember his time with Valor. Enjoy!
