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Resource uses Bible to help people deal with crisis

Dec. 5, 2005

NOTE: A head and shoulders photo of the Rev. Kwasi Kena is available at
http://umns.umc.org.

By Linda Green*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - A new online resource from the United
Methodist Board of Discipleship uses Scriptures to help people who are
in crisis or recovering from disaster.

"Stories for Survivors," a collection of Bible stories with discussion
questions created for survivors of disaster, was launched Nov. 20 at
www.gbod.org/evangelism.

The holidays are stressful times under normal conditions, but when you
add homelessness, separation from the familiar and the other issues of
displacement, the stress factor increases exponentially, said the Rev.
Kwasi Kena, a staff member in the board's evangelism section.

"There are so many challenges involved with reaching displaced people:
Where are they now? Where will they be next week?" he said.

When people experience stress and trauma, they look for hope, he said.
"Sharing Bible stories with people in distress is a gift of hope and
strength and faith that we can offer to people who are trying to rebuild
their lives."

"Stories for Survivors" was launched online with the story of Elijah on
Mt. Horeb because so many people were hearing messages that God's
judgment was being poured out through the hurricanes that struck the
Gulf Coast, he said. "When Elijah met God on Mt. Horeb, there was
terrible wind, and earthquake and a fire, but God was not in them. God
spoke with a quiet whisper.

"The people in the Gulf region need stories of hope like these," Kena
explained. "The Bible stories, the life lessons from the Bible story and
the discussion questions are catalysts to enable the survivors to
discover or rediscover faith through the Bible and to discover their own
faith stories that witness of God's grace at work in their lives through
the disaster."

Seven more stories are included to help people get through their first
Christmas season following a disaster.

The stories are told without commentary to enable personal and group
discovery of spiritual truths most relevant to the needs of those in
crisis and transition. In a disaster, few people pause to pick up an
armful of books or sermon notes, Kena said. "Hearing and discussing
Bible stories encourages people in crisis to see their unique challenges
as stories of faith, struggle and perseverance."

Initiated as a joint project between the Board of Discipleship and Jack
and Doris Day of Bible Storytelling Inc., the resource also is a
response to some evangelism scholars' claim that the United States is
entering a third or fourth generation of biblical illiteracy.	 The
Days of Ashville, Ala., are former missionaries to Brazil, and Jack has
written methodology books and trained people in Bible storytelling.

Preaching is often more explanation than telling the Bible story, Kena
said. Bible stories are powerful when simply shared with people, which
is how the Scriptures were shared effectively for hundreds of years.

"When people are presented with the context leading up to the Bible
story, and when Bible stories are told chronologically, people are able
to gain a panoramic perspective of God's activity with humanity," he
said.

"By simply telling the Bible story and allowing people to mine the
truths for themselves, we leave room for the Holy Spirit to teach,
inspire, convict and comfort people. Sometimes we get in the way of the
biblical message."

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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