Biblical storytelling workshops introduce biblical storytelling processes and teach specific stories. A standard workshop has a four-part form: learn the story, explore how the story was heard in its original context, connect with the story, tell the story.

A guiding principle for designing these workshops is to balance activities that make use of the seven basic human intelligences. Methods include rhythmic, chant, or singing activities—all of which use musical intelligence. Drawing storyboards, creating play dough expressions, and manipulating wooden figures exercise spatial intelligence. Mathematical intelligence is used when pictures depicting episodes of the story are placed in correct sequence, when numbers mentioned in the story are recalled, or when logical reasoning within the story is noticed. Interpersonal intelligence is necessary for coordinating group tellings or explicating the dynamics of relationship in a story. Intrapersonal intelligence is used in making connections between the story and one’s personal experience.

Teaching biblical stories using oral methods has the side benefit of assisting adults with the task of reading. Incarcerated persons are typically more skilled at oral communication than literate. Low literacy rates are the norm in a prison population. Oral learning methods include the most ancient form of education, sometimes called “chirping” and more descriptively called “repeat-after-me.” Gestures and movements are repeated, as well as words, so that kinesthetic intelligence is brought into play along with verbal intelligence.

The story of Jesus and the children has been a source of inspiration and guidance in my leading such workshops over the years. I often refer to what I hope will happen as enjoying the story together. The purpose of the workshop time is not to learn something in the head that can then be recited as “proof” of some religious doctrine or other, or to be more biblically literate. The purpose is to establish connection to the characters of God’s story, especially to Jesus, and thus to God. The purpose is ultimately to receive the kingdom of God “as a little child” (Mark 10:15).

Taking Jesus at his word that we are to receive the kingdom of God as a little child, we trust the stories. Trust comes hard for people in prison. If we can help them believe that they can trust God’s stories as sources of hope and new life, ministry will have happened. To receive the kingdom of God as a little child we approach God’s stories fresh and with wonder. And we play with them creatively, using whatever means of learning to which we are most suited, trying out others gingerly that may seem more challenging.