Storying Scarf
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
A scarf made of fabric with 21 Bible story pictures printed on it to facilitate teaching the Bible stories they illustrate in a chronological order.
Description
The Storying Scarf is a 22” x 44” piece of fabric with 21 Bible story pictures printed on it. Each picture is about 5” by 4”. The Bible stories are told and the pictures are shown in chronological order over a period of time to a group of people. The series of stories becomes a “mental Bible” for the listeners. Thus, they do not have to be able to read to learn and share the truths of Scripture. Please see the manual that accompanies the Storying Scarf.
The Storying scarf was developed to meet a need for inexpensive and durable pictures to accompany chronological Bible storying in West Africa among a large unreached people group. Many societies depend primarily on spoken words rather than written words in order to communicate. For them important information is learned by hearing and recalling verbal events by telling stories. Because of that, the Storying Scarf is a good practical and inexpensive tool used to teach those primarily oral communities the main truths of the Bible.
Each of the 21 black-on-white pictures illustrates one or more Bible stories. The picture-stories are in the order they appear in the Bible. Each picture represents a story that speaks to the life and the spiritual needs of people. Color can be added to the pictures to make them more culturally interesting to the listeners. The goal of storying is that the listeners will learn, understand and be able to communicate the stories to others accurately and enthusiastically.
Samples shown in Color
Outlines of Bible stories for: (requires Internet connection)
There are two types of scarves available:
- Western type – pictures sequenced from left to right and top to bottom.
- International type – pictures sequenced from right to left and arranged in an s-shaped path beginning with creation and ending with the resurrected Jesus inviting people to follow him.
The explanatory booklet to accompany the scarf has been translated into 16 different languages: Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), English, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai. Each of these written versions is available and can be located in the Where to Obtain information below.
Considerations
- The pictures on the scarf have a neutral ethnic identity.
- The scarves are lightweight, portable, and washable.
- The pictures on the scarf were designed to communicate without being distracting. They are simple, so the viewer can grasp the picture quickly. They are consistent, so main characters can be followed from frame to frame. They are designed to help listeners identify with Biblical events by incorporating common items they should recognize.
- The Storying Scarf is a way to teach people without relying on printed language.
- Color significance can be added by coloring the pictures with crayons, permanent marking pens or paint, etc, using colors appropriate to that culture.
- The color of the scarf itself can be adapted to meet the specific needs of a language group, i.e. one worker in Asia could not use either blue or white scarves because among his people these colors signify death and funerals. So the white scarves were dipped in tea and dyed off-white.
- Perspective is from a front, full view which should not cause confusion. Individual body parts or items are not drawn in detail in order to avoid distraction.
- The two types of scarves fit two common methods of reading and looking at pictures. The western method of viewing from left to right and top to bottom and the international method of viewing, which acknowledges that some cultures have an understanding of a “path to God” or a “road of God”. This layout facilitates each approach. Because the number of pictures is limited to the size of the scarf, the story teller may want to fill in the ‘gaps’ with additional Bible stories. Supplement the scarf with other teaching aids such as additional printed pictures and objects mentioned in the stories.
Picture 21 is different in that it is designed to help listeners who have learned the stories to have an evangelistic emphasis when they tell the stories. Ideas for a presentation are included in the outlines in the Brochure.
In some settings all 20 stories may be told at once to generate interest. But the best chance of effectively communicating the story is one story at a time, with at least a week of time between sessions.
Individual pictures are available from the same source as the scarf in the 11×8.5 format to reduce distraction. The scarf is best used to show where each story comes in sequence. An alternate method might be to cover all pictures not being used or to fold the scarf so that only a few pictures show at a time.
Limitations
Many large jumps are made, i.e. Creation to the Fall. The jumps will need to be explained by using transitional materials and comments within the stories as appropriate to the culture.
Guidelines for Use
As you begin, you should explain that there are many other stories in scripture. The ones on the scarf will help them to understand the plan God has had since the beginning of the world. Presentation should be aimed at getting the listeners to recall the story theme, main points, some of the sub-points and have an idea of where each story comes in relation to other stories. Rote memorization is not the goal! You may choose to add or subtract material, or emphasize different points.
The outlines are NOT meant to be read to the listeners. They are to be in story form and good preparation is the key.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
The scarves are not for sale, but donations are accepted to defray costs. Storying scarves ($2.50 each) Brochures ($1.00) The Brochure is a 20 page booklet that includes the outline text for each of the Bible pictures. Shipping from First Baptist Concord is extra.
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Current copyright owner
The Storying scarf, images and accompanying text are protected under copyright law and may be modified or reproduced only with permission or with the Creative Commons agreement.
