COMMUNICATION IN A YOUTH SETTING.

Last Monday I commenced my lecturing for this academic year at Elim's National Training College. I deliver a module called 'Communication in a Youth Setting' on the Youth Ministry course and for the first time this year am also delivering a level 2 module on the same subject. The level 2 module starts tomorrow and the 6 topics I'll be covering over the next 3 weeks will be:

1. Metanarrative and Major Biblical Themes
2. Parables
3. Story Telling Skills
4. Learning Styles/Teaching Styles
5. School Lessons/Assemblies
6. Telling a Story-practical experience.

Most of these are natural progressions from the level 1 module, and the seven students on Level 2 have all taken the level 1 module with me last year. On level 1 this year are 18 students, and I really enjoy the opportunity to give them some input.
Metanarrative may be a new word for some of you. Simply put it means BIG STORY.
The Bible may appear to be just a collection of random stories. On a higher level, though, a unity appears. What is God trying to say through all the individual stories and events recorded? The metanarrative of the Bible is its story about God. The Bible contains many stories, all woven together by the one grand theme of God's self-revelation to the world. This Story of God does not come to us in the neat packaging of systematic theology. It comes to us in the stories of a chosen people who experienced God.

The challenge is to be able to tell both the small and big stories of the Bible in a way that will engage, challenge and transform today's generation. As if to practice what I preach, this next couple of weeks I'm doing a lot of speaking- to a youth group in Abergavenny on Wednesday, preaching a sermon on a parable at City Temple next Sunday, Kingdom Academy at church this Tuesday on 'Developing the inner walk with God', and launching Ignite in Carmarthen a week on Friday - all this with a still dodgy voice and a cough!

Comments

[Joan Young/Godgrl Gomer]

Keep on fighting the good fight Nigel. His Grace is sufficient for you.
I cannot imagine the extreme discomfort of your cough, for I know it would be effecting your whole being. Continued prayer going up for you. I also proclaim in the Spirit that you, Nigel, are a child of God and no weapon formed against you shall stand.

I am excited for you with your Teaching. I have two more days left at a conference with YWAM. Here we are, seeking to know more of God, but end up finding out more about ourselves. haha.

God's blessing upon you Nigel. Hope to catch up with you soon.
Joan