Making disciples of oral learners

Volunteers frequently encounter nonreaders and functional illiterates, but often don’t know how to address their needs. Even those who have been through literacy programs have received gospel literature and then shunned it or didn't have good reading comprehension.

Your International Mission Board has been learning that a staggering 50 percent of those who are lost have an oral learning preference! I'm not just saying that we need to use cassettes or rely totally on the spoken word. Oral learners need a new paradigm for effective cross-cultural communication, especially when handling Bible truths. Whether you're in the pulpit, jungle, bush or on the streets, there's a new way to handle "orality" and we wanted you to know about it.

The "Following Jesus" audio CD series contains more than 400 complete chronological Bible storying sessions. These are presented in seven modules. These may be used from the pulpit, in the home, on the road or in a small group Bible study session. I put together a world-class team of storying experts and during the past two years, we developed and recorded sets of Bible stories that can be adapted for evangelism, discipleship, leader training and in missions.

Volunteers especially will want to examine Module 1. This is the training CD set to understand what can be done differently on their next overseas trips. "Orality" truly is the next wave of missions advance to a lost world.

This is an appeal to you to examine the FJ Series for yourself. Read or listen to chronological Bible storying session examples online at http://FJseries.org. Then you'll be able to apply storying principles on your next trip. Thank you for all you are doing for advancing the kingdom of God.

Warmly,

Avery T. Willis, Jr.
Senior Vice President
Office of Overseas Operations
International Mission Board, SBC