How Do You Tell a Story?

I’ve recognized for awhile that most people need help in telling their stories. Ever since I was a boy, I’ve known that there is something powerful about a great story. My dad used to tell me tales of adventures he had as a kid. I couldn’t believe that one life could be full of so many amazing events. “You’ll have your own stories some day — even better than mine” he would tell me. “And you’ll tell them to your son.”

He was right. I didn’t believe him at the time, but he was right. I’ve seen wonders of the world, lived in other countries, and truly lived an adventure. The best part is that life for me is just beginning.

You see, we all have stories — incredible events that shape and impact us. Some are beautiful, and some are tragic, but they each have a lesson in them for others (and ourselves) to learn.

 

But how do you tell your story in a way that’s compelling and makes sense of what happened to you? I’ve spent the last three years trying to help missionaries tell their stories so that they can communicate what God has done in and through them. I’ve tried everything from philosophical teaching to more raw, practical training. I keep coming back to the simplicity of storytelling.

 

How do you tell a story? It’s quite simple. Here’s how (watch the videos below). Thanks to the Ira Glass from “This American Life” for this teaching. It’s been revolutionary in how I approach telling a story.