Using Pictures to Tell the Story J. O. Terry [From CBS Manual, 2001, sec. IV] When telling a story, the storyteller conjures up a mental scene in the mind of the hearer in which all of the pertinent story details of the setting as well as the characters and action are placed. And in their mind s eye the action of the story proceeds to unfold. Hearers see mental images in terms of what is already familiar to them. Talk about a sacrifice and they see the chicken or pig that was recently sacrificed in their village. One of the limitations of using verbal pictures is that the picture is only complete in the mind of the hearer. It may or may not be what is intended by the storyteller. To offset that risk the storyteller can use related story pictures as visual aids when telling a story. If pictures are chosen carefully and are suitable for that audience, they will readily receive the new images and details in them. It will limit or guide their mental images and help to keep the images within bounds of what is intended. A second reason for using pictures is the instant recall of a story that seeing a picture triggers. Of course, it is true that a mental image can also be recalled by suggestion of words associated with that image. A string of pictures gives a visual story flow which is useful in review and for seeing the emerging greater story. A third reason for using pictures is for uniformity in which everyone (hopefully) sees the same image as depicted in the picture. The picture helps the group members to have a simultaneous recall of a story. It allows a newcomer to join in seeing the same picture, though for the first time in the group. There are some problems with using pictures in that, even with a picture, not everyone sees the same picture. Even though the picture is the same, the experience in interpreting the picture will vary. And what constitutes a valid picture to some can be misleading to others. Even a photograph may not be a good picture though it accurately depicts an animal or object that is usually depicted differently because of some cultural or artistic conventions generally accepted by a people. And it must be assumed that everything included in a picture is fair game for interpretation, whether it is an important detail or not. The eyes of the viewers roam all over the picture absorbing the details (according to what is important to them) and then the viewer forms his own opinion about what the picture is saying. Much research has gone into studying how pictures communicate as they are used for development projects in predominantly rural countries. And from that research there is benefit to the Christian picture user. But the ultimate test of a picture s acceptability is to use it and see what it says to the people - what do they get from the picture? Does the message from the picture reinforce the verbal message, or weaken it? Sometimes the overt response of laughter or anger tells the story. At other times the picture sort of silently misses the mark in that it just fails to say what was intended, but causes little or no harm to the verbal message. You can t always predict which pictures will be the best to use. Choosing the best pictures will require some field testing. Choice should not be based entirely on what is most convenient to use or which set best covers the stories you want to use. Another matter of concern is whether to use contextualized pictures or not. Contextualized pictures can reduce the culture shock by using the familiar visual conventions to depict the new and unfamiliar.
How many pictures do you need? A single picture depicts only one scene from a story. It is usually chosen to depict the key scene to support the theme you are using the story to emphasize. It may set the stage by depicting the overall scene, it may show conflict between persons, it may show the results of an action, be a map (of Palestine or the Mediterranean world) or be a drawing of a building like the Tabernacle or Temple. It is helpful to have at least one picture for each story. A series of pictures related to one story can depict the progress of the story when telling the story but can be cumbersome for use in review of several stories. A single picture freezes the story and whatever theme is depicted in that picture. What should a picture depict? Take the story of Noah as an illustration. To tell the story of Noah, would you use a picture to depict Noah and his sons building the Ark while people mocked them? Noah gathering the animals aboard the Ark? Noah and his family and the animals on board the Ark? People in the rising, swirling dark waters as they cried out for help and were drowning? Or, the Ark resting on the dry mountain with Noah offering a sacrifice as the rainbow arched across the sky? It all depends upon the point the story makes. The story of Noah has at least four points: 1. God is displeased when man sins but graciously warns him of coming disaster (Noah warning the people). 2. God provides salvation for those who are obedient and faithful to God (Noah and his family gathered safely in the Ark). 3. God judges the sin and punishes those who do not believe Him and repent of their sin (people drowning in the water). 4. God makes a promise never to destroy the earth by water again (the rainbow). If your story focuses on the judgment of God you need the picture with drowning people. In this manner choose your pictures. Be sure the pictures are Biblically accurate. You should begin with the best you can obtain and which best suit your story themes. Sometimes you may need to mix sets of pictures to include pictures not in your basic set. Some pictures from another set may depict a teaching more clearly. If you don t have what you need you always have the options of using no picture or some other media like drama or a song to illustrate the story lesson. Sources of Visual Materials 1. Telling the Story - A set of 105 color 13" x 17" flat pictures specially prepared for use with tribal peoples in the Philippines. Set contains two maps as well as depictions of the tabernacle and altar. Cost about $15 plus shipping. 2. Telling the Story - A 40 picture set. A specially selected set of only 40 pictures chosen for use in the evangelism track. Purpose is to reduce the cost when supplying local storyers with picture set which will mainly be used for evangelizing. Cost about $7 plus shipping. 3. Telling the Story - Black & white line drawings (8.5" x 11") of 102 Biblical pictures. Suitable for use where large numbers of picture sets may be distributed. Buy one set and photocopy as needed. Have users to color them. Cost about $1.50 plus shipping. Church Strengthening Ministry P.O. Box 7506 DAPO Lock Box 1300 Domestic Road, Pasay City, MM PHILIPPINES 4. LOOK, LISTEN and LIVE. A set of eight color flip charts 13" x 17" with 24 pictures in each flip chart. Each contains four to five picture stories. Easier to handle and store than
loose flat pictures but not as flexible to display. Can be taken apart if needed. Also available, a set of chronological scripts keyed to the pictures. Cost about $28 for 8 flip charts, $8 for 8 flip charts, $8 for set of long scripts, $2 for short scripts. Language Recordings Inc. Private Mail Bag 19 Castle Hill NSW 2154 Australia (Look for or ask about other LRI offices - Gospel Recordings Inc. near you) 5. Chronological Line Drawings on Disk - DOS format 3.5" DS/HD diskettes in compressed format (4 disks). May be called up in word processing programs i.e., Word Perfect, etc. Cost about $35.00 New Tribes Mission Bookroom 1000 East First Street Sanford, FL 32771-1487 FAX: 407-330-0376 For additional information about other visual materials or special needs write to: J.O. Terry IMB Media Consultant - Asia & Pacific 2 Marine Vista, #20-75 Neptune Court Republic of Singapore 449026 000208-1348@mcimail.com Forty (40) Bible Pictures Published by: Baptist Press 12" x 17" Color 322 Prince Edward Road West on card stock Kowloon, Hong Kong OLD TESTAMENT 1. God directs Noah Noah building the Ark 2. Worship after the Flood Noah and family prays before altar 3. Abraham thanks God Abraham prays before altar 4. Jacob worships God Jacob prays at Bethel 5. Joseph forgives his brothers Joseph and brothers in Egypt 6. A sister helps Baby Moses in basket, watched by sister Miriam 7. God calls Moses Moses before burning bush in desert 8. Moses leads a praise song Moses sings before the people 9. Moses receives the Ten Commandments Moses holding tablets of stone 10. Gideon prepares for battle Gideon holding torch with men 11. Samuel is called Boy Samuel at bed of Eli 12. David and Mephibosheth Lame Mephibosheth before King David 13. A wonderful discovery Hilkiah shows scroll to King Josiah 14. Elijah on Mt. Carmel Elijah s prayer is answered by fire 15. Daniel thanks God Daniel prays in his room 16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand tall Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to bow to idol NEW TESTAMENT 17. Where is He? Wise men inquire of Herod about Jesus 18. Jesus is here Shepherds adore Jesus in manger 19. Jesus baptism Jesus and John in the river 20. Jesus walking on the water Jesus walks on water to disciples
21. A paralyzed man meets the Savior Paralytic man lowered through roof 22. Jesus feeds the multitude Jesus and disciples share bread with people 23. Jesus, Friend of children Jesus holding and talking to children 24. Jesus gives sight to Bartimaeus Jesus heals Bartimaeus eyes 25. A net full of fish Miraculous catch of fishes 26. Jesus helps a Centurion Jesus goes to home of Centurion 27. The gift of life for Jairus daughter Jesus gives living daughter back to astonished parents 28. Mary and Martha welcome Jesus Jesus in home of Mary and Martha 29. Jesus and Nicodemus Jesus talks to Nicodemus privately 30. A helpful Samaritan Samaritan and wounded man on road - Samaritan talks to innkeeper 31. The Triumphal Entry Jesus on donkey led into Jerusalem 32. The Last Supper Jesus and disciples share Passover 33. The Living Lord Jesus appears to disciples in room 34. Peter preaching at Pentecost Peter on steps of Temple preaching 35. Cornelius welcomes Peter Peter in home of Cornelius 36. Saul witnesses stoning of Stephen Stoning of Stephen outside city walls 37. Ananias cares for Paul Paul in home of Ananias 38. Paul: a witnessing prisoner Paul in chains witnesses in prison 39. Prisoner Paul tells about Jesus Paul, holding scroll, speaks to visitors 40. Paul helps Onesimus Paul hands scroll to Onesimus Telling the Story / 105 Chronological Bible Pictures 105 CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE PICTURES (Available from Will Gopffarth, Church Strengthening Ministry) TELLING THE STORY - OLD TESTAMENT #1 - - - - - God s Written Word (Prophet Writing) #2 - - - - - Map of the World #3 Genesis 1 Creation #4 Genesis 2:15-25 Adam and Eve #5 Genesis 3:6 The Fall of Man #6 Genesis 3:7-10 Fig leaf coverings #7 Genesis 3:22-24 Adam and Eve driven from the Garden #8 Genesis 4:2-5 Cain and Abel bring offerings to God #9 Genesis 4:8 Cain kills Abel #10 Genesis 7:11-24 Noah s Ark #11 Genesis 8:20; 9:13 Noah s sacrifice and the Rainbow #12 Genesis 11:7-9 The Tower of Babel #13 - - - - - Map of Middle Eastern World #14 Genesis 12:1-5 Leaving Haran #15 Genesis 18:8-10 Abraham, Sarah, and their Heavenly visitors #16 Genesis 19:16-17 Lot and his daughters escape #17 Genesis 19:24 The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah #18 Genesis 22:9-13 Abraham offers Isaac #19 Genesis 25:29-34 Jacob trades Esau for his Birthright #20 Genesis 28:11-12 Jacob s dream #21 Genesis 37:25 Joseph sold into slavery #22 Genesis 42:6-7 Joseph s brothers bow before him #23 Exodus 2:1-10 Baby Moses rescued #24 Exodus 2:11-14 Israel s slavery to the Egyptians #25 Exodus 3:1-12 The burning bush #26 Exodus 7:11-12 Aaron and Moses before Pharaoh
#27 Exodus 12:1-7 Passover blood applied to doorposts #28 Exodus 12:29 Pharaoh holding dead firstborn son #29 Exodus 14:13-22 Crossing the Red Sea #30 Exodus 16:4-16 Manna in the wilderness #31 Exodus 17:5-7 Moses strikes the rock for water #32 Exodus 19:12-25 God s holy mountain #33 Exodus 32:1-20 The Golden Calf #34 Exodus 36 & 40 The Tabernacle #35 - - - - - Components of the Tabernacle #36 Leviticus 4:32 The Sin offering #37 Numbers 21:4-9 The serpent on the pole #38 Numbers 14:2-10 Joshua and Caleb #39 Joshua 6 The fall of Jericho #40 Judges Idol worship #41 I Samuel 16:1-13 Samuel anoints Saul #42 - - - - - Writer of the Psalms #43 - - - - - Solomon s Temple #44 I Kings 18:16-39 Elijah and prophets of Baal Chronological Bible Storying - 2001 - Page IV.47 #45 Jonah 2:10 Jonah and the huge fish #46 - - - - - Rejection of the Prophets #47 - - - - - Destruction of Jerusalem #48 Ezra 3:12 Restoration of the Temple #49 - - - - - Roman rule TELLING THE STORY - NEW TESTAMENT #50 Luke 1:5-22 Zechariah in the Temple #51 Luke 1:26-38 Gabriel appears to Mary #52 Luke 1:57-66 Birth of John the Baptist #53 Matthew 1:18-21 Gabriel speaks to Joseph #54 Luke 2:1-7 Jesus is born #55 Luke 2:8-18 The shepherds #56 Luke 2:21-39 Jesus presented in the Temple #57 Matthew 2:1-12 The Wise Men #58 Matthew 2:13-15 The flight to Egypt #59 Luke 2:39-52 The boy Jesus at the Temple #60 Matthew 3:11-17; John 1:29-34 John the Baptist points out Jesus #61 Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus in the desert #62 Mark 1:14-34, 39-42 Jesus teaching in the Synagogue #63 John 3:1-7, 14-21 Nicodemus night visit #64 John 4:1-26 The woman at the well #65 Mark 2:1-17 Jesus heals the paralytic #66 Mark 3:1-19 Jesus and the Twelve Disciples #67 Mark 4:1-20 The Sower #68 Mark 4:35-41 Jesus calms the storm #69 Mark 5:1-20 Jesus heals a demon possessed man #70 - - - - - John the Baptist beheaded #71 John 6:1-35 Jesus feeds 5,000 #72 - - - - - Traditions of the Pharisees #73 John 10:7-11; 14:6 A Jewish sheep pen #74 John 11:1-48 Resurrection of Lazarus #75 Mark 9:1-13 The Transfiguration #76 Mark 10:13-16 Jesus and the children #77 Mark 12:13-24 The rich young man #78 Luke 10:15-23 The rich fool
#79 Luke 16:19-31 The rich man in Hell #80 Mark 10:45-52 Blind Bartimaeus receives his sight #81 Mark 11:1-10 The Triumphal Entry #82 - - - - - The Lord s Supper #83 Mark 14:32-41 Jesus praying #84 Mark 14:43-72 Jesus arrested #85 Mark 15:1-15 Jesus before Pilate #86 Mark 15:16-20 The soldiers mock Jesus #87 Mark 15:21-41 The Crucifixion #88 Mark 16:1-8 The Resurrection #89 John 20:24-30 Jesus appears to Thomas #90 Acts 1:9-12 The Ascension #91 Acts 2:1-13 The day of Pentecost #92 Acts 2:14-41 Peter preaches a sermon #93 Acts 3:1-10 Healing the lame beggar