Academia

Traditionally the topic of Bible story telling has been relegated to children or discussions on how to communicate the Bible to non-literate or semi-literate learners on the mission field. As a result, in the past there has not been that much serious academic research done in the field of orality. However, in more recent years there has been an increasing interest in the field of orality with the production of many books, papers and theses on the subject. Part of this interest has been the acknowledgment that we have entered fully into a digital age and a generation that have been called "secondarily oral" learners. People have increasingly shorter attention spans as they browse and scan their phones and computers looking for mainly short video driven presentations which often include a narrative storyline. The resulting impact on education has caused many academicians to revisit the discipline of orality. They are seeing just how impactful it is not just for mission in relation to the majority world but also how relevant it is for today's digital natives.

The early days of Simply the Story saw its primary growth with practitioners who were working primarily in the majority world among more primarily oral learners. Yet as the method developed and more workshops were taught to more literate audiences, the validity of the approach became to be recognized by scholars in academia. Sensing this interest, a deliberate attempt was made to affect the "gatekeepers" in various institutions. What is taught at the Bible school and seminary level significantly shapes the way that ministers of the gospel communicate. If those who influence future leaders see the validity of orality and Bible story telling and find that it is backed up by solid qualitative research, then they will be more apt to include orality in their curriculums.

Simply the Story is helpful in such contexts because it follows what is called "Inductive Bible Study in an Oral Style". A key component is that students get to see an approach that is truly oral by striving not to use notes or printed material in the training. Often in such classes, foundational principles of orality are introduced in a more traditional academic and lecture-type approach, but after the underlying theory is established, a student is then prepared for the practical component of STS where the student gets a true feel of how to absorb, observe and retell a story in a small group setting. Bible Schools and Seminaries are increasingly including such theoretical-practical type courses in their curriculums. As interest grows and more research is done on the dynamics of orality, there will be even more need for the practical component of story telling which STS delivers so well.

Business & Professional

Bible Storytelling is not just for Sunday School, youth group and the mission field. Many business professionals have found that using stories the STS way has been a blessing to them and those with whom they interact. A lunch break Bible study focused on Bible stories with discussion is a very comfortable and inviting way to reach out to coworkers. A five-minute conversation during a coffee break offers great opportunity to connect a Bible story to someone's life situation. 
 
Many professionals have recognized the value of storytelling in general in their business settings. A regional sales manager for a large insurance company had been trained in STS. She believed that the STS approach to Bible story discussions, in particular our use of open ended questions, was a great fit for her district managers and sales reps. When an STS workshop was to be hosted by her home church, she got permission for her company's HR director to offer the STS training to her staff. This was offered as an optional training, anyone who chose to decline the offer was offered a paid day off. Her entire staff attended. 

This eclectic group of people was spread across the spectrum spiritually, from Bible believing to agnostic. During the last hour of the workshop, we offered a focused time of discussion with the business group to explore how they could make authentic use of what they had learned in their work setting. Every one of these professionals found the training to be enjoyable and immediately applicable to their lives and professions. 
 
One of the women who attended told us that she didn't know if she even believed in God. She had never been in a church. However, on a business trip shortly after the workshop, she was seated next to a young woman with whom she struck up a conversation. Our storyteller's seat mate shared that she was contemplating suicide when she got home. At this, the STS trained businesswoman shared a Bible story she had learned during the training. After talking about the story, the depressed woman was so moved that she decided to seek out help rather than end her life. Truly God's word does not return empty, even when shared by a non-believer.

Bible stories are not just for children, they are not just for vacation Bible school, they are not just for the non-literate overseas. Bible stories are for each of us wherever we find ourselves. 

Children, Youth, Young Adults

Leaders from around the world have demonstrated how effective and impactful the Simply The Story method can be with students of all ages. 

Younger children are already by their very nature, oral learners. The ability to think in abstract terms is not developed until after they have been taught in school how to think in abstractions. There are some unique challenges with children as the storyteller may need to be a little more leading with their questions than is typical when telling stories. Sometimes, children may just share something that is obviously stated in the story. When the storyteller asks questions such as 'what about that part of the story seems special to you?' the children will very often open up and share some fairly deep thoughts in a very straightforward and simply way.

With youth the storyteller may need to establish that the discussion group is a safe place to share. Encouraging and giving positive feedback will often lead to very honest and revealing discussions. Groups that meet on a regular basis add to students comfort in sharing more openly.

College students are an especially open group to learning through discussion. Many generations are very resistant to someone telling them what they should or should not believe. Simply The Story is a means of sharing deep truth while allowing the participants in a story to discover Bible 'treasures' on their own. It is amazing to watch as a group of students will reach a conclusion that is often very opposite to the typical cultural norm through discussion and discovery of what a Bible story has to say.

Each of these groups offers their own challenges. However, when leaders take the time to adjust and work at communicating on the level of their participants, the rewards are noticeable and long lasting.

If you would like to have an STS Storyteller speak at a youth retreat, summer camp or other event Contact Us to start the discussion.

Church Planting 

Church planting is a natural outgrowth of answering Jesus' call… He said “come .… and follow Me” that we find in Mark 8:34; 10:21; Luke 9:23; 18:22 and “Go therefore and make disciples” this we find in Matt. 28:19. In other words, it's all about making disciples in every home, every village, every colony, every town, every city, and every nation of this world.

“Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.’”

Scripture says that “… the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it and He produces a crop, yielding a thirty or sixty or hundred, times what was sown.

Church Growth or Church multiplication starts with a passion for the Great Commission and seeing people come to the knowledge of Christ and produce more and more spiritually.

Through the use of God’s Story: From Creation to Eternity and Simply The Story we are seeing this come to fruition. People are coming to faith, groups are forming and Churches are being planted in numerous places in and various forms throughout the world.

What follows below are descriptions of how Church Planting is happening in Africa and Asia, from two of our national leaders.

Church Planting in Africa

Simply The Story and God’s Story: From Creation to Eternity are wonderful tools for evangelism and discipleship, but do they result in Churches being planted? The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

In both Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire, we have been hearing about churches being planted after STS workshops and the launch of new God's Story languages. When those trained in an STS workshop begin to actively share stories, people come to faith in Jesus. When God's Story is made available in a new language and is shared widely, lives are being changed, people are turning to Jesus. 

We rejoice that so many people are coming to faith. This has been happening in areas where there is no church, which is resulting in these new believers starting a church where they can worship and grow together.

But who will lead these new churches? This is an immediate concern. This challenge is being addressed as Oral Bible Schools are encouraged after every workshop in many locations around the world. This is especially true in the nations of Africa. 

Church Planting in Asia 

Obeying and following Great Commission: From God’s Story to Church Plant

Our teams show God’s Story: From Creation to Eternity in many different places such as homes, small groups, parks, railway and bus stations…wherever our Risen Lord opens the door. Whenever someone receives Christ for the first time through watching God’s Story, our team then follows up with them to nurture them by teaching God’s Word through using STS method. When those who have come to faith live near one another, we conduct a 5-day STS workshop. From those workshops, small house churches form.

If a larger “mother church” is available, these believers may fellowship and worship God there each Sunday. These leaders and families also meditate on God’s Word using STS in their home Bible studies on an ongoing basis. [The home Bible studies is an implementation of STS Oral Bible Schools]

Each STS workshop results in at least 4 new home groups. In these groups, each attendee has the opportunity (expectation) to learn 296 Bible stories. Each night, when the home group meets, they learn one story using the STS process. In this way, they learn and discover spiritual observations and make spiritual applications in their personal lives. With those stories in their heart pockets, they are equipped to share these stories with their friends and coworkers.

The hope and end goal of this process is to start small home Churches of 12 to 20 members. Each OBS leader takes the stories they have learned to their neighbouring places or to their relatives to share the gospel, with the hope that people will come to faith. They seek to start new home group studies (OBS), which become regular Bible studies, and ultimately new house churches. The churches also conduct cottage prayer meetings, women’s fellowships, ministry among children and youth, and regular spiritual life prayer meetings. They pray for the sick and help the disabled and elderly.

STS is like a God given spiritual guide to go and reach everywhere and to bring spiritual birth and new live in every community. 

If God’s Story is like a tool for building the foundation for a new soul, then STS training and follow up is like a tool for constructing a strong spiritual home to bless many new souls in the society.

Churches

Compiled here are just a few of the innovative ways churches are using Simply The Story or its principles in their programs and outreaches.

1. Styles of Usage:

• To fit members’ expectations and traditional protocol, you may want to read the story passage in standard “church voice” first before telling it Simply The Story style.
• In Children's Church or Sunday School Classes: tell the story several times and have different groups of children take turns acting out the story as it is told
• Lead an interactive Simply The Story Bible story discussion as the primary message. Either have the congregation respond to questions out loud or ask rhetorical (thought) questions
• Use Sign Language (ASL) to visually tell a story while the storyteller is telling the story with expression
• Read the story, but with expression, rather than the standard more stoic way of reading
• Challenge listeners to share the story with those inside their circles of influence

2. Church Services (places Simply The Story can be used):

• One Sunday per month in regular service
• Sunday evenings
• Teach on passage Sunday morning, then use same story as Simply The Story interactive discussion on Sunday evening or in weekday gathering
• Wednesday evenings
• Alternative service (Sunday morning or afternoon or on Saturday evening)
• Once monthly include children in service. Place children up front and tell story. Focusing mainly on the children, but also include the whole congregation

3. Sunday School (Sunday Small Groups): 

• Sunday School at any age level
• Use Simply The Story as a small group curriculum
• Challenge class members to learn stories and tell them with actions and expressions with a long term goal of moving members into role of taking turns telling stories in the class
• Use Simply The Story as a weekly or once a month curriculum
• Form an Interactive Bible study, all ages welcome (including children's class)

4. Special Classes:

• Men - Men participate weekly in a story. Men are then empowered and encouraged to take that story to other men. Those who are married (no matter their reading ability) can serve as spiritual leaders in their homes by telling the stories and leading family devotions
• Youth, ages 5 and up, enjoy, thrive and grow on the interaction and the story
• New Believers Classes:  Introduce deep spiritual truths to those even with no church background
• Evangelism Classes: Empower people to naturally and comfortably share their faith

5. Special Projects:

• Evangelistic Outreaches: street witnessing, work among the homeless, nursing homes and retirement centers
• Outreach: Participants invite friends to participate in interactive Bible discussion. Dinner or dessert could be provided or potluck
• Neighborhood “Story at My House.” Weekly, bi-month, or monthly, invite ladies to a host home to participate in a story.  Hostess serves coffee or tea, and attendees take turns bringing snacks
• Youth Outreaches: Insert stories when appropriate
• VBS:  With any VBS program, tell a story a day for kids to take home

6. Home Fellowships / Small Groups

7. Counseling:

• STS stories are being used in pastoral counseling, grief counseling, addressing false doctrines, financial counseling, pro-life, with spiritual seekers, family counseling, pre-marital counseling, etc.

Counseling and Marriage

Pastors, counselors, friends, really anyone can speak into another person's life through the compassionate and skillful use of a Bible story. Whether in a professional or personal setting, Bible stories speak to the heart and can address deep and difficult issues. 

At every Simply The Story training, we include teaching and practice in using stories in a conversational way. We teach how to listen to others and select a story that fits the person's situation and need. Certainly Bible stories don't replace the need for professional counseling when needed, but God's Word is living and active, a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Devotions

Simply The Story is an excellent tool to enhance personal and family devotions.

Meditating on God's Word is an important aspect of daily devotions. When people learn the STS method, they learn Bible stories accurately and conversationally. We say that they then have the Bible story in their "heart pocket." Once the story is in a person's heart pocket, they can meditate on God's Word anytime, anywhere!

People frequently report to us that their devotions have been greatly enhanced because of Simply The Story. Many have said that they will never read the Bible the same again. There is a richness and depth to their time in the Word that wasn't there previously.

Nearly all who learn STS are deeply impacted. From the time they learn STS, they see more in the Word than ever before, and they are able to make personal application of what they discover. 

Not surprisingly, children love Bible stories done using Simply The Story. The same Holy Spirit who guides adults to a deeper understanding of God's Word also guides children. During family devotions, we encourage parents to share the whole Bible story with their children. Shortened, simplified versions of Bible stories found in children's Bibles can cause confusion for children as they grow up and begin to read the Bible for themselves. 

Going slowly through the story and discussing the content and high level words that a child does not yet know allows them to grow a firm and solid foundation in God's Word. The child learns not only the vocabulary, they also can engage in the discussion of the story and spiritual truths from the Bible. Many parents have been stunned to hear the depth of insight their children bring to the Bible as it is discussed using the STS method of Bible study.

Discipleship

Effective discipleship includes building relationships, being in God's Word, and doing ministry together. This was Jesus' model. These key components of discipleship happen naturally and comfortably with Simply The Story. 

One of the first challenges a potential discipler faces is selecting a book or study guide from which to lead. With STS, the only book needed is the Bible.

When a Bible story is told STS-style, personal relationships grow deeper as a result of the discussion of the story. The Holy Spirit works in the hearts and minds of those discussing the story, drawing them closer to God and to each other. Ways to apply God's Word also become clear, leading to effective ministry.

We often hear exciting reports from around the world about how natural it is to disciple others by using STS. God's Word is indeed living and powerful, useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

Simply The Story is a powerful discipleship tool! 

Drama and the Arts

It's a fact that we remember far more of what we see than what we hear. One of the prime ways to help people understand and remember a story is to show it.

We are serious about portraying Bible stories accurately and about people hearing the stories with nothing added and nothing taken away---BUT as you see in this spontaneously done video---we enjoy the freedom to show expression that is justified in the story!

Details on how we like to do dramas are on on this site. For now, you might want to see a story dramatized live on location. On a workshop trip to Israel, a highlight of our experiences was enacting Bible stories as we toured. The one you can see here, the Bent Woman, was filmed in the remains of the synagogue in Capernaum.

Below you will see photos taken of the small study groups that selected and dramatized a Bible story they had learned during the week. See how many stories you can identify.

Drama Speaks

In STS workshops and the STS Handbook, we teach the storytellers how to tell their Bible stories using actions, expressions and voice inflections so that the story can be seen and heard.

From the beginning, we emphasize that any emotions or actions shown must be justified from the text. Showing an emotion that is just your idea is adding to the Word of God, not a good idea!

To “show” a story, these are some of the skills we teach and encourage people to use.

We demonstrate actions that can show fear, greed, aggression, flight, surprise, bravery, wisdom, depression and other emotions.

Emotions can be demonstrated even through slight gestures. Then we have learners practice what they have seen and heard.

Where the storyteller stands, looks or gestures can establish the location of people, crowds, or places mentioned in the told story.

As an example, when storytellers are speaking a person’s quotes, by slightly repositioning their bodies, to be in the place and looking in the correct direction that simulates where that character is located, where he would be looking or what he would have been doing, brings life to the story.

For instance, healed people may look amazed and slowly move their newly healed body, or they may become excited and jump for joy. Hesitations in speech, and also hesitations in movement, add realism and drama to storytelling.

We always give these words of caution: “If you find that those to whom you tell the story come to you afterwards and say how great of a storyteller or actor you are, rethink your presentation. Storytellers are not the feature; God’s Word is the feature."

Too much movement by a storyteller can take away focus from the spoken words; people begin to watch the storyteller more than listening. It is best to make small movements that just illustrate the words you speak.

What you want people to say is, ‘That story spoke to me,’ or ‘I am that person in the story.’”

Toward the end of each of our workshops, we give opportunities for everyone to design and present dramas. To keep accuracy, while the rest of their drama group silently enacts the story, we have one person tell (or sing or chant) the story accurately, but with an expressive voice.

We do not have various people speak the parts of the characters in a drama because it is more difficult to have many people remember their parts than it is for one person to remember the story. Also, when various people speak the lines, even when they all do well, listeners are less likely to remember the story so they can tell it to others than when they hear a story told by one expressive storyteller.

As well, when these new “actors” forget their lines and start to make up spoken lines, the accuracy of God’s Word is lost. What then is the value of even presenting the story? Very often, out of nervousness, those words people do make up are said in jest, and and a precious story from God’s Word becomes a comedy.

Worldwide, this type of drama is a loved part of the workshop experience. We do dramas toward the end of the workshop. By then, even the shy attendees join in and become brave enough to share in front of others. Again and again, we see even the shyest people from cultures that normally do not show emotion become creatively dramatic. Humm? Maybe this is the joy of the Lord showing up?

Evangelism and Outreach

Bible stories are not just for Sunday school. They aren't just for children. They aren't just for believers.
In every workshop, we train our storytellers how to share Bible stories in a conversational way. We call these five-minute stories. Not only do we teach how to discuss a story in five minutes, we also talk about how to bridge into a Bible story in any conversation.

Parents teach their children not to talk to strangers. While this is essential instruction for our children, the problem is that when we become adults, we still don't talk to strangers. How can we share the gospel if we don't talk to people we don't know? The challenge most people face when trying to break into a conversation with someone they've just met is fear of rejection. Not knowing what to say or how to share the gospel also holds believers back from speaking up. Bible stories shared using Simply The Story, help address both of these issues.

Most Bible stories have some sort of situation that make them common to people. Whether it's fear, hunger, anger, jealousy, joy or anticipation, whatever the situation people still experience it today. Knowing a Bible story that fits with a person's situation, makes bridging into that story comfortable and natural. The beginning of sharing the gospel with anyone is getting into a spiritual conversation. When a Bible story fits with the person's current situation, the transition to that story feels natural. Once in the story, the conversation can move naturally toward the person's need and how Jesus meets us there.

One of our senior instructors often shares how Simply The Story revolutionized his outreach and multiplied the fruitfulness of his witness. He says that while he has been in full-time Christian service for 40 years, he always found evangelism to be uncomfortable and a great struggle. That was until he encountered Simply The Story. He now testifies that sharing his faith has become so natural and comfortable, that he does it wherever he goes. He has found greater fruit in his ministry in the last 15 years, since he began using STS, than in all the years of his earlier ministry.

Join us for a workshop, either in person or online, and learn how you too can become comfortable speaking to strangers and better equipped for an even more fruitful ministry.

Family, Men, Women

Simply The Story not only impacts individuals, as the individual goes, so goes the family. So very often, even as our trainings continue throughout the week, attendees report that they took the story they just learned and shared it with their loved ones. 

A number of years ago a woman who attended a workshop shared with the group that the evening before she told a story to her family. Interestingly she felt that her efforts were less than adequate. 
When asked more about what happened, she explained, “During dinner, I told the story of Martha and Mary to my daughter, her boyfriend and my son. But I failed when I asked the questions.” Our leader, thrilled that his woman had taken her brand new skill and put it to use right away, asked for more details. This woman went on to describe how the discussion about the story had continued for nearly two hours. She added that this was actually the first time in two years that she had been able to have a conversation with her daughter about spiritual things. 

Our leader smiled and helped the woman think about what she had just said. While she felt that she hadn't used the process well, she had actually had a very meaningful interaction with her son, daughter and the boyfriend. 

STS offers a wonderful way to impact our families and draw people into God's presence through His Word.

Home School

Young children and youth respond extremely well to hearing the Bible taught using the STS approach. Using STS, children are able to understand and discover much spiritual wealth inside a story. They also can boldly tell the stories to others.

We have used STS with children and seen positive responses in those as young as 5 years old. We have successfully taught interactive Bible stories using STS to as many as 500 children and youth at one time.

Some of our STS instructors are as young as 15 years! Our sharpest young instructors are home schooled!  

If you (or someone you know) are interested in helping us develop a Home School curriculum, please contact us. 

Here are a few comments from some of our past workshop attendees:

"STS is a good approach for teaching children to be rooted in the Word and memorize scriptures easily."

A woman with very active children said: "I didn't know how I could effectively groom up my child in the fear the Lord. But now STS has given me a tool to introduce my child into God's Word through story telling.”

Immigrants and Refugees

In Matthew 25, Jesus describes the lives of those whom  the Father will welcome into His kingdom. Of these people Jesus says, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." In the past decade, the number of refugees fleeing their homes for safety has more than doubled. Many countries have noticed an increase of these "strangers" among them. These refugees come with many needs, both spiritual and physical. Many truly want to integrate into their new communities, but find significant barriers, such as language, transportation and culture.

Christian organizations and churches are finding that STS is an excellent way to start addressing the spiritual needs of these new neighbors. Some churches have regular outreaches where stories are told, often with translation. This often involves targeting specific language groups. People from other religions who would never go to a church or sit through a sermon find that they love the stories, and they enthusiastically participate. In fact, in a city with a large Arab population, a Muslim woman loved the stories so much that she attended an STS workshop to learn how to tell these stories to her children! Christian volunteers make use of these gatherings to build relationships with the refugees. Some of them start more intimate story groups in their homes, possibly attracting refugees who might not feel comfortable going to a church.

International Students

International students come to The United States, or other countries, to study for four or more years.  In addition to their college life, many hope to make personal connections in the communities where they are studying.  Unfortunately, far too many of them return to their home country without ever being invited to a church or into a local home. There are many parachurch groups on college campuses which reach out to these students, both with friendship and spiritual encouragement.  Many of them have weekly meetings where students can meet other students and hear a Christian message.

Several of these Christian campus groups are discovering that Simply The Story is a highly effective way to present this message.  International students like STS studies because they get a chance to talk and practice their conversational English.  Rather than just listening to a lecture, they get a more natural opportunity to ask questions and interact with people and the Scriptures. These deep conversations make it easier for international students to develop relationships, both with other international students and students/volunteers from the community. It’s even possible for some of the volunteers to continue these relationships by hosting STS story times with a group of students in their own homes.

Leadership Development

A lack of leaders and pastors plagues the Church worldwide. The traditional solution has been Bible colleges and seminaries. While an excellent option for some, this is not a viable option for those with low literacy skills and lack of resources. For many around the world, the financial burden of this traditional educational approach is prohibitive. What's more, leaders are needed now. The number of churches without a pastor or other leadership in the majority world is staggering. 

Simply The Story offers an option for helping address this need. Those trained in STS workshops are immediately able to share stories with deep discussion. While practice and experience results in increased ability and greater skill, even new storytellers are well equipped to lead fruitful studies. 

Beyond filling the pulpit and teaching roles in the church, STS offers a pastor and church a powerful tool for training up leaders.  By virtue of having people in the Word on a consistent and ongoing basis, they will learn to apply the Truth in their own lives, develop a biblical worldview and biblical theological understanding. 

Simply The Story Oral Bible Schools are also a proven option for training pastors and church leaders. While completing a full OBS takes time, groups are generally formed locally, and at little to no cost. Lack of literacy is also not a barrier to study. 

Prison Ministry 

The use of stories when ministering in jails and prisons has proven to be very well received and highly effective. While many churches send teams behind bars, oftentimes those who go in preach or teach as they themselves are taught. Praise God for their ministry. The challenge that a vast majority of inmates face is that the messages they often hear is difficult for them to understand and remember because it is presented in a literate way. Over 70% of incarcerated men and women are either not literate or functionally non-literate.

Those trained in the Simply The Story method of Bible storytelling and Bible study can and do effectively bridge this literacy gap. The conversational and interactive way that STS Bible studies are conducted allows inmates at any level of literacy to fully engage in learning and sharing in the conversation. 

Senior Ministry

There is an expression in the United States that "You can't teach and old dog new tricks". Often when discussing 'doing' stories with senior adults some storytellers have seen initial hesitancy, but experience has shown that many seniors truly embrace and enjoy Bible storytelling once they experience it first-hand.

One leader who was pastoring a very old church in a rural area started using stories during the Sunday night service. This pastor streamlined the service so that almost all the time was being used to discuss the Bible passage. 

One evening immediately following the service, the pastor was met by a committee of Deacons and some of their wives. He was greeted with what was for him a surprising statement. 'Pastor, we want to talk to you about the Bible stories'. The pastor was shocked, as up until this moment everyone had seemed to be enjoying the stories and the discussion immensely. 

The wife of one of the deacons piped up and said, 'yes, it seems like as soon as we get into the really good discussion we run out of time and have to stop. Is there any way we can start earlier or go longer?' For the second time in just a few moments the pastor was shocked. In thirty years of ministry no one had ever asked him to preach longer and now here was an important group of church leaders requesting more time to dig into the Word.

These results among seniors are not unusual. Seniors have well developed senses of confidence and are usually very ready to speak up in a group. They often appreciate the more communal aspect of the discussion-based style of learning. 

Retirement communities and nursing home ministries are natural outlets for using Simply The Story among seniors. The regular use of STS allows seniors to get comfortable with the different teaching method which leads to more confidence and an even greater appreciation for the methodology.

Special Needs Ministries

Children and adults with special needs, especially those with cognitive function challenges respond tremendously well to Bible stories done using Simply The Story. Allowing them to engage and respond to questions keeps them active and involved. In a group, there is always such a spectrum of ability levels that someone will certainly be able to retell the story when asked, and many will speak up and offer tremendously deep insights as the story is studied. 

Sadly, this group of people is so often looked upon as non-functional and unable. However when give the opportunity to learn a story presented with actions, expressiveness and interactively, they not only fully engage, they remember the story days and weeks later. 

Simply The Story is a fabulous way to disciple and minister to those with cognitive deficiencies.