Storytelling
100 Ways
Heartland Christian
Educators’ Convention 2009
Stories written in
breakout sessions after Ken Medema’s keynote
Arranged
alphabetically by story title
Facilitator:
Karen VandenAkker
Group:
Foreign Language Teachers
8. God can use the most unlikely person to accomplish his
work. (David)
Group:
High School Math Teachers
Group:
High School Language Arts Teachers
Facilitators:
Ross Bouma, Eric Kiers
15. The Hope of New Beginnings
16. How Our Mission Is Dwarfed
Group:
High School Science Teachers
Group:
Middle School Math Teachers
22. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
23. Martin Luther & the Reformation
Group:
High School History Teachers
24. My Brain Doesn’t Work Like Other Kids
Facilitator:
Sheila Vanden Brink
Group:
Middle School Language Arts
Group:
Middle School Bible Teachers
Group: 4th
Grade Teachers
Facilitator: Kris DeWild
34. Teaching Redemption to High School Students
Group:
Middle School Social Studies
Facilitator:
Lois Van Dusseldorp
Catherine tells
the story of the childhood ridicule she experienced because of her long boney
feet. Her father gathered he up in his lap and shared this verse: “How
beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
This poem is
dedicated to George, who, from his duct-taped green chair gave her courage and
shaped her story.
“All the places she’ll go with those long boney toes -
All the people she’ll meet and effect.
As she travels the roads, where her own story grows,
Learning lessons of “accept” and “reject.”
Our feet are all different - the skin, not the same.
They all have one purpose: to bring praise to his name.
Some feet travel science; some feet travel math;
Some feet travel music; each walk their own path.
The ultimate journey I learned from my dad,
Curled up in his lap when feeling sad:
I remember he told me, “No matter which path you choose,
How beautiful are the feet that bring good news.”
Biblical
Concept: Obedience
Theme: Be obedient
even when you go against the “current.”
The Great
White Shark lived in a far away ocean. He declared,”All sharks are to be
treated fairly.”
The other
sharks had been taught the right way to treat others in the “schools” that they
had attended. However, a group of tiger sharks chose to go against the
“current.” They constantly tormented Harry, the hammerhead shark. They said
things like, “You look funny! You look different! Do you need a nail for that
hammer on your head?” The tiger sharks constantly pounded and teased Harry
about his appearance.
As the
bullying continued, Ty, a tiger shark was troubled. He remembered the words
that the Great White Shark had taught them – “All sharks must be treated
fairly.” He decided to obey the Ruler of the ocean.
So one day
Ty swam away from the other tiger sharks and against the current. Ty wrapped
his fin around Harry and they became friends. Ty told Harry that he was special
and unique.
Ty obeyed
the Great White Shark’s command to treat ALL sharks fairly – even if it means
going against the current.
Do you dare
swim against the current and obey your Maker?