QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think some Biblical stories continue to be retold to each generation?
2. What are some of your favourite Biblical stories? What is it about those stories that you like?
3. Why do you think Jesus so often used stories in his preaching? What do stories offer that simple religious instruction doesn't?
4. What other stories have a deep significance to you? What messages do those stories have that you carry with you?
5. Why is sharing and listening to stories so essential to human experience?
ACTIVITIES
1. A Biblical adventure: Choose one adventure story from Bible (either one of the ones in the article, or another one you like), and consider how you might retell it in one of the following ways:
a) Put together a script for a video or play retelling the story. However, tell the story in the style of a 'Reality TV' program, where you stop into the scene at key moments and give an opportunity for each character to share what they're thinking at that particular time. Have each character sum up the story from their perspective at the end, in particular sharing what they learned. Film or act out your story for the class.
b) Re-imagine the story in the context of your favourite TV show or film franchise (e.g. 'The Good Samaritan' as an episode in the life of Captain America). Who would represent each character in the story? How would the story play out in that setting? Retell the story, reflecting at the end on what each character learns from what happens. Create a book, or even a comic, sharing your story with other young people.
c) Situate the story in the real world of today. For example, you might explore how the story of David and Goliath would play out for someone who has sued the Government for environmental damage on their land. Write a creative piece sharing the story from the perspective of the main character.
2. Cultural story-bank: The Bible consists of stories that were important to the Hebrew people, and which remain important to us today. Each community has a bank of stories that they share and reshare through the generations. What are some of the stories that are shared in Australia, and in your own community and family?
a) As a class, create an 'Australian cultural story bank'. Students could brainstorm a list of important cultural stories in Australia - ranging from stories told nationally (e.g. ANZAC Day) to those shared in different parts of the communities (e.g. stories told by fans of certain sports). Each student then selects one of the story and retells it for the story bank. Include a blurb at the end of the story outlining it's meaning and significance to Australian culture.
b) Put together a family 'cultural story bank' for your own family. Consider both how your family engages with the broader story of Australia (e.g. experiences of ANZAC Day or Christmas), as well as some of the other stories that get retold through the generations. Gather those stories into a shared drive that you and other family members can access and add to.
c) Consider the importance of sharing and retelling stories in different cultures. Explore the role of stories in a particular culture - e.g. First Nations peoples. You could even interview people from that culture about their stories or invite them to speak to the class. Write a report, sharing what you've learned about the place of stories in that culture.
YOUNGER STUDENTS
Bible story pageant: Students are used to doing a play centered around the Christmas story each year. For this activity, get them to consider doing a play (or a whole pageant) retelling one or more of the most exciting Biblical stories. Get the students to read the story, and decide who's going to play each character. Students will need to get costumes together, and create sets for the story. For older students, you might consider setting the story in today's world - adapting the situation to suit it. Put on the play for parents and other classes.
My great adventure: Start with a class discussion: What's an exciting adventure that you've been on? It might be a long holiday, or a fun day out with family or friends. As each student shares their story, ask them to share one thing that they learned on their adventure? Once they're finished, invite them to write down or draw their adventure story.