Stories aren't just for kids: Busting 10 myths about Bible storytelling

by Christine Dillon

In a world increasingly anti-Christian, how can you communicate in a way that leaves the listeners hungry for more?
Stories are a God-designed way to impact hearts.
But many Christians reject stories as just for kids. Christine Dillon has trained thousands of people in storytelling. 10 myths come up over and over again, and they block Christians from using this life-changing ministry tool.
MYTH 1: Adults won’t listen to stories
MYTH 2: Stories are only for non-literate cultures
MYTH 3: Men won’t listen to stories ...
MYTH 6: Storytelling won’t grow mature disciples
MYTH 8: Storytelling will lead to heresy ...

Using stories from around the world Dillon tackles each myth and challenges you to master this tool.

Christine Dillon is a Bible storyteller and trainer who works in Asia and Australia. Her book, Telling the Gospel Through Story: Evangelism that keeps hearers hungry for more (IVP, 2012) has inspired many to start telling the greatest story of them all.



Now also available in AUDIO.

This book also exists in both written forms of Chinese (same cover and free download on Kobo, Apple, ...).

Genres: Christian

79 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2017

About the author

Christine Dillon is an Australian author who has spent much of her life in East Asia.
She is passionate about Bible storytelling and helping readers engage with Scripture in fresh ways. Her Light of Nations series (five books and growing) reimagines the Old Testament through the eyes of the Canaanite peoples, exploring difficult questions about God's justice, mercy, and sovereignty.
Christine has also written contemporary Christian fiction (the 6-book Grace series) and nonfiction.

She invites readers to join her 'Storyteller friends' community for updates and free resources. Learn more at www.storytellerchristine.com.



Since 2004, Christine has been a Bible storyteller, and each year she's more excited by what she's learning. This is a tremendous way to communicate and make disciples.

Bible storytelling website & linked Facebook group: www.storyingthescriptures.com
'storying the scriptures' (closed FB group - so you need to ask permission to join)

BOOK TRANSLATIONS
* 'Telling the Gospel Through Story' was published in traditional Chinese in February 2015

* 1-2-1 discipleship was published in simplified Chinese in October 2015 and in traditional Chinese in January 2017.

* Verborgen Genade (Dutch translation of 'Grace in Strange Disguise), published in February 2020.

* Siegreich Sein: mit Gottes Wort (German translation of 'Sword Fighting') published December 2021.

* The Chinese translation of the Sword Fighting book was published in October, 2025.

Reviews

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book explaining storytelling as an evangelist tool to people of all ages and all walks of life. I found this book very well thought out and down to earth. The author very clearly presents her case for why storytelling is applicable to all ages and situations by stating 10 myths and clearly explaining why it is a myth and the proving it with real life examples. I am intrigued to say the least. I’m going to have to take the author up on the challenge at the end of the book.

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power of sharing bible stories with others is discussed in this short book. It is a useful introduction to the idea of storytelling the gospel with links to other resources to help you explore the idea further if you are interested.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the book I now feel inspired and encouraged to put into practice what Christine promotes: telling the Gospel clearly through Bible storytelling.

An experienced and very accomplished storyteller herself, Christine Dillon helps to break down the barriers that may prevent us from putting into practice such a wonderfully simple yet worthwhile tool.

Her real-life examples, beautifully told between these pages, serve to reinforce the premise that Bible storytelling is an enjoyable and effective means of communicating the truth of God’s grace and mercy to a world desperate to learn the truth.

You would do well to read this book and discover the wonders for yourself.

[Sarah Loft · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to biblical storytelling - what it is and how to do it - as well as busting the myths we believe about it.

Quite a short, but very worthwhile read. Packed with engaging personal stories that demonstrate the power of story to impact people and share God's truth. This book also provides the tools and resources to challenge your beliefs about stories and get you started on your own storytelling journey - a journey you'll no doubt be convinced to start even before you finish the book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I opened this little e-book on myths regarding storytelling while waiting on-hold on the phone. 40 mins later, I'm still on hold, but I've enjoyed the time flipping through this book - easy to skim through and choose sections to investigate more, yet provoking thought. My suggestion for improvement is to record it as an audiobook. :-)

[Ilka Fauveu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here in France I have been telling Bible stories to African women for eight years now. Christine busted the myth i believed that storytelling worked fine in certain cultures but not in the west or among educated westerners. I am now anxious to tell some of the stories I know to French people who so desperately need to bear the good news of the Gospel.

[Bertie Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story

Really liked the story and the characters. There could have been some mor explanation of the regular people in the bar scene.

[Mary Rowe]

Inspiration for my calling

Gave me some idea about how to begin. I feel a real call in this area. I say thanks for the inspiration.

[Aaron Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, a good challenge to many preconceptions highly educated Westerners have!

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant exposition of this non-threatening method of sharing the Bible with anyone anywhere works

[Musings of a Middle-aged Mum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the book, I think storytelling is a pretty impressive tool to use, not least because it was how the Bible was passed from person to person in years gone by. There is a website and a Facebook group for anyone wanting to find out more.

I'm not in a place, right now, to be able to learn or make use of this book, but, I am very glad I have read it (and have made a note of it) so I can come back to it in the future. I particularly liked Christine's idea of praying before every holiday/trip, in order to meet someone with whom to share your relationship with God; something I will try to do in future. It was very inspirational.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, and considering how stories can be used to draw people to Jesus. After reading this book, I would love to learn more about this technique. It rang true to me, because I find myself drawn to any story and so do my children. It makes sense that telling stories would be a great way to share my faith with other people, and I intend to look into it more.