She was 17. She sat on a hard examination table at the Navy Hospital in San Diego, California, waiting for the doctor to come in. It was 1:00 in the morning. She was alone, cold and scared to death, about to have her first baby.
She should have been a senior in high school, looking forward to the prom, perhaps choosing the college she would attend in the fall. But here she was, having a baby. How on earth did she get here?
Want to hear more? Sure you do. Stories captivate audiences. Just watch them. You can be giving a list of statistics or general information and watch what happens when you begin a story. People sit up, they wake up, they take notice and they listen.
Jesus told stories. He captivated audiences. Everywhere He went, crowds gathered. Luke 19:48 (ESV) says, “for all the people were hanging on His words”.
Ultimately our goal as Speakers is to share the Gospel, reach that one woman who does not know the Lord, pray that she responds to our invitation and help her get into a Bible study. But none of that will happen if she’s not engaged with you and your story.
You have her interest for such a short time. Make it count. Make your audience glad they came. Make them want to come back so much they will want to invite a friend. Remember the Samaritan woman? Once she heard the words of life, she ran back to her village saying to everyone, “’Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?’ And they went out of the city, and were coming to Him” (John 4:29-30, NASB).
Here are a few tips to help you:
- Refresh your opening statement.
- Add a humorous story.
- Look at your audience. Engage each listener.
- Give listeners a plan – attend Stonecroft Bible Studies and encourage them to come back.
- Stay updated. Go to stonecroft.org, click on “resources” and then “Stonecroft Speakers.” Some terrific training calls are located there.
And always remember, any major changes to your talk must be reviewed by your Regional Speaker Trainer.
God bless you as you continue to love and serve Him
Judy Scharfenberg
Regional Speaker Trainer and Stonecroft Regional Administrator, Southern California
Women’s Connection