Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)
And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” – Mt 12:9-12
This is a great example of how Jesus would answer questions in order to teach a point. He would use a story.
Pastor Wayne Cordeiro is a master at teaching through story. In trying to explain a concept or answer a question, instead of giving a vanilla answer, he would use a story.
What does using a story do?
- Cements the concept in the mind of the hearer, making it easier to recall.
- Increases the chance that the story will be told again.
- Grabs the emotions.
- Clarifies the answer
I still remember several of the stories that Wayne used as he answered questions and taught in the Leadership Practicums. Take into account that I have a terrible memory, and you can see the power of a story.
Next time you need to teach something or answer a question, use a quick story. You may be surprised at the results.