My pastor did a sermon yesterday, and he was talking about the story of the Good Samaritan. I got to thinking about the example Jesus showed of how to do explaining in a compelling manner. Yes, you can talk with facts and data, but sometimes the stories can be more effective. You use your relating skills to tell a story that makes a more compelling argument than a fact based explanation. The problem sometimes is that the 30percenters can tie you up in a fact based argument that will take you to a point that you no longer have the facts to convince. Then you can get on the defensive and make things worse.
Take a look at this series of verses from Luke 10.
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”[c]
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Parable of the Good Samaritan
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[d] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
The guy could not even say the word Samaritan, but he knew he was busted! Think about your story telling ability. Have you ever said, I can't tell stories? Well you can tell stories about yourself all day long if you just practice, and commit to try. And here is the cool part. No one can argue your personal story, no matter how many facts they have. Jesus knew what he was doing when he used this story!
Thoughts?
I have in my life a story like that!
ReplyDeleteI was driving to home and I saw a old man climbing the hill going home after your work day.
He was dirty and tired, but I stopped my car by your side and I offered him a ride.
When he entered in my car he said me: "No one offer me a charity attitude like that. No even my neighbors".
While we were talked about during the way I asked him: "Why do not you are retired yet?" He said me: "My boss told me I need wait five years more to get that right".
That one was a simple man. No education, and I believe he don't knew maybe no even - write or read.
I asked him if he had worked in the farms of the regions when was a child or teenage. He told me: Yes! So, I explained him that I had read a article about retiring in Brazil and I learned that the government was making a great force to identify the people that working in the farms while youngs to giving them the rights to have your retire for work time. I told him that these people needed only to show some documents or testimonies to confirm that.
He said me: Is that true? I said: Yeah! I think so!
He told that in that same week he would go seek the government department to learn anymore about that.
That ride took only a few minutes. And for two or three months I don't saw that man again.
But one day, I met him again in the same way. But now he was clean and don't was tired, climbing the same hill. So, I stooped my car by your side. I offered a ride again and while talked on way I asked him: "So, how are you doing in your job?".
And that old man said me with great joy: "I don't work anymore! I'm retired!".
I guess I was a 70percenter to this old man!
Ailton Tertuliano - Brazil