Best speaker Magazine Issue 2 - December 2017 | Page 32

THE ART OF
STORYTELLING:
10 LESSONS FROM JESUS
E
veryone loves a good story.
Whether it’s hearing about
a friend’s life, reading
a classic novel, or watching a
movie, there’s something deeply
human about appreciating stories.
Countless generations have passed
down their traditional anecdotes;
countless names have earned the
title ‘top storyteller’: Shakespeare,
Tolkien, Twain, Austen, along with
modern authors like Rowling. But
a name that might not quite as
stereotypically make the cut as a
great storyteller is Jesus. Yes, Jesus of
Nazareth from the Holy Bible.
Now, if I ask you who exactly
was Jesus, depending on your
perspective, there are lots of
potential answers: a wandering
wonder-worker; the son of God
on Earth; a radical political rebel
in the ancient Middle East. For
me, among other things, Jesus is
a profoundly gifted storyteller. He
is a literary master who captures
people’s imaginations through the
medium of parables.
The parables of Jesus are short
metaphorical fables found in the
three Synoptic Gospels of the Holy
Bible. They represent a key part
of the teachings of Jesus, forming
approximately one third of his
recorded teachings. Although they
are simple and brief, they all convey
messages that are deep and central
to the teachings of Jesus. Today, the
parables of Jesus remain some of
the best-known stories in the world,
even among those who know little
of the Bible.
For a student who is keen to
draw lessons from great speakers
in history, the parables of Jesus
present the best opportunity. Here
are 10 tips for better storytelling:
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BEST SPEAKER MAGAZINE 2017