Jesus the parable teller

/ Phill

Jesus the parable teller 

Most of us like to listen to stories. Whether it is for entertainment, or to make a point. Stories are memorable and stick with us. I found this excerpt in a book by storyteller Jackson Day a very succinct explanation of the power of story and why it was Jesus’ preferred teaching technique. Parable Seeds: Second Sowing explains why Jesus taught in parables.

“Jesus knew that people receive truth best when it was clothed in story. That is why when Jesus spoke to the crowd, He didn’t say anything to them without using parables (Mark 4:34). Jesus mastered the art of clothing truth with stories. Jesus’ parables didn’t illustrate His message; His stories were His message. Jesus told stories in order to put His listeners on the road to truth. Most of the time, Jesus didn’t even explain His parables. At the end of many parables Jesus said, ‘He who has ears, let him hear.’ 

“Story was Jesus’ form of speech. Jesus did not come to earth as a theologian; He came as a storyteller. Jesus did not lecture using point-driven abstract language. Jesus told stories every time when He spoke to crowds. Common people gladly heard Jesus tell His parables. Christians who are faithful to Jesus’ message need to be faithful to imitate Jesus’ storytelling approach. 

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 Ethiopian Church Mobilizes for Tentmaking

/ Steinar Opheim
In November leaders from 17 synods in the Ethiopian Mekane Yesus Church attended a seminar in Hawassa, Ethiopia on how to mobilize and send professionals and businesspeople. With its 11 million members, the Mekane Yesus church is regarded as the world’s biggest Lutheran church. 

Leaders from 17 synods in the Mekane Yesus Church in Ethiopia are now focusing on recruiting and sending workers, businesspeople and professionals who will serve Jesus among unreached people groups. “The teaching we have received on this has been an eye-opener for us. Now we are ready to do the job,” says head of the church’s mission department, Tilaye Daba. 

Mekane Yesus is regarded as the world’s largest Lutheran church. As of today, the church has around 11 million members, and the numbers are growing rapidly. 

“Growth is part of our DNA. Already when I took confirmation classes, I learned how I was responsible for sharing the gospel with people around me. Our obligation to bring the message about Jesus to new areas and people groups has however not been clearly communicated. We want to do something about this now, says the mission leader. 

Leader conference 

Last year he was among the representatives when leaders from Mekane Yesus and from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) met in Nairobi. Their aim was to develop ideas on how they can send more professionals and businesspeople to other nations. Norwegian Lutheran Mission (NLM), which is the biggest mission agency in Norway, initiated the conference, and participated with several leaders. Victor Agbonkpolor from Tent Nigeria and Steinar Opheim from Tent International served as main teachers.  

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Mobilizing West Africa for Tentmaking

/ Steinar Opheim

All 16 West African nations are expected to have representatives at the conference that will be held in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, in February. Photo: Adobestock.

Aims at mobilizing West African professionals

Mobilizing tentmakers from West Africa is the main aim when Tent and collaborating partners gather leaders for a West Africa Tentmaking Conference in Nigeria next year. “We must activate the whole, global church if we are to fulfill the great commission,” says Tent Nigeria’s leader, Victor Agbonkpolor. 

All 16 West African nations are expected to have representatives at the conference that will be held in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, in February.

“Promotion is starting now, and we expect that the conference will fill up quickly,”

says Agbonkpolor.
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Traveling with Jesus

/ Steinar Opheim

When giving our day to God, we will from time-to-time experience that he creates divine meetings. Lately, I have had many such incidents while traveling, writes the author of this article. Photo: Adobdestock

The Bible has many stories about people who seemingly meet randomly. When we look closer at things, we do however see God’s finger behind the encounter. It is like God brought the people together without them knowing it. Are you ready to experience the same thing?

At Tent’s GO Equipped courses participants are asked to commit to starting their days with God. Some of us are morning people and spend time in the Bible and in prayers in the mornings. Others like to sleep in and must hurry more before they head out to work or other duties. No matter your preference, you can always start your day with God, give it to him and ask him for help to meet the people around you in the way he wants you to meet them.  

When giving our day to God, we will from time-to-time experience that he creates divine meetings. Lately, I have had many such incidents while traveling. One was on a recent overnight flight. The airline I flew with changed my seat after checking in. Instead of getting an aisle seat, which is my preference, I got a middle seat in the window section. Even if I always pray for God to organize divine meetings as I travel, I did not see his hand behind this. Instead, I got upset, started complaining and felt sorry for myself. 

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