Superintendent's Three Month Observations

[First three month of six. Students are low to non-literate Mountain people. Reports below are in the words of a person whose first language is not English.] 
We found the Oral Bible school is much more different to the oral that I did before.
Oral Bible school is more effective than the literacy like more in understanding of the word of God. The students that we have is more highly advanced in what learned compare to the literacy Bible school.

How different?

Literacy Bible school: Is much more in focusing on every word in the context  that we read. We do charting, and lots time doing it and the results are losing treasure in it and the scene or content of the story. We found out that’s the reason why the students growth in spiritual are very slow. Literacy system needs more materials like white board and nice facilities and also some marker, in other words the demand of financial matter are high.

Oral Bible school: More focusing in every scene of the story in finding a lot of treasures that are most important to us. The good things also in Oral style is that our students notify is of their hearts change and their understanding about the word of God is deeper compare to the literacy Bible school that we did last year. The class is not just for educated.

But even the non literates can get rich of this class. Right now I have 2 students are very slow in reading, but because of this style they able to learned and see as the others do also.

The teacher times are good compared to the teacher of the literacy that needs lots of preparations in materials compare to the oral style that only the story in the Bible. Before we use a lot of references from different theologians in order to convinced our students.

The truth of this we have 4-students right now who studied from XXX Bible school where I was teaching before. Reason they studied here in oral way is they are fruits of my previous teaching so they desire to study in our school.

Their testimony about how it different to the Bible school that they study in before is they said "right now the study of the Word not for the people but for us." And they said before they don’t really enjoy to study more the Word of God. But in oral way it become more real and the joy that they have in oral it gives them. They now spent more and more time to study the word of God.

They said the story in the Bible that they studied before they don’t expect that God has talking to them. They said they never see any body in the class of the students will cried because of the treasure in the story. They never see in the class before that the teacher touch by the students during the discussion, but in oral way most of the time.

This type of teaching is for every one, not like before is only for the educated person who can do a lot. They said is much more economy because no pens and notebooks and any paper to record in the class.

The students wanted to finish the 6-months. We do the prayer that God will provide food money for other 3-months more.

The teachers comments:  We are bless doing the oral way because the difference that we did before in literacy was we prepare most for the students. Only us. And sometimes we teach some topics that even we are not really sure only because many people believed so we teach, but biases is there. We teachers we change our hearts and our attitudes by the treasure that we found when we prepare the story. The treasure are so real and powerful.

Not like before. We so busy doing the wordings in the context and yet not seeing the treasure in it. This style will bring us down to humble our selves and only Jesus glorify.

Not us anymore. Praise the Lord!!  E.B.

Results From STS-OBS Students, Kenya

“Discussing, helps us remember stories better.”
Non-Literates and Literates Learn Together
Each interviewer interacted with both educated and uneducated people. Interestingly, members of one group interviewed expressed the same sentiment.  They said, “After going through STS training, we discovered most of us didn’t know much, but now everyone feels equal and we all want to learn together. Now those who can read are not elevating themselves. Now our pastor doesn’t elevate literacy [above spirituality.]”

Experiencing Depth in the Word
“I couldn’t pursue secular education so I went to Bible school for 3 yrs. After Bible school, I served with a pastor. Then I was assigned a congregation to lead. I served as assistant pastor for five years. Then I heard about STS Oral Bible School. I felt this would be good with oral learners who I pastor. First, it was a workshop then the STS-OBS. I liked the process of going deeper into the story. I went and shared at home and they were excited. What is even more exciting was at my church. They never experienced such depth in teaching in his congregation.”

“Since STS Bible I am coming to know Bible deeper.” Beatrice

Many expressed when in OBS class, that the words of the Bible touch their hearts deeper as if God is talking to them personally.

One man explained his favorite story. “John and Peter and the lame man at the Gate Beautiful. I like the faith and patience of the lame man to listen to Peter and John’s other options.”

Another woman likes blind Bartemaeus. “It encourages me that its ok to shout out, even when people tell me to be quiet, because God listens, because I’m not making noise to the people, I'm talking to God.”

A woman who is part of women’s corp (associations of women working together to save money and share revenue) shares stories with the ladies. “No women in the corp are saved yet. But they like the stories because it’s different. They see a difference in the depth of process. They say. ‘It’s very good.’”

“Really teaches us deep things. Our pastors just brush the surface.”

Changing Individuals, Families and Villages
“In my church, our pastor went to learn to be a teacher, so I took over church. I started doing STS, but my Bible school experience was very shallow. But using STS I didn’t need a lot of commentaries or books because I can follow the story. People get the depth of the story. It helps in my study and teaching and helps me to love and enjoy the word of God.
Joseph

One woman was involved in another program that works with orphans. I work together with a lady who teaches orphans and she told me about STS. STS changed me first and also my home. Initially, my husband did not want to hear about God and the Word. Now my husband has given me the freedom to come to STS-OBS. With assignments to take home, my husband is involved in reading and I go back and share with him.”

“STS, it helps me, when problem arises, to solve it in a humble and godly way, not publishing my problems to others.”

“Now STS is coming direct to us personally. Life is changed. Before, it was general. Now I’m trying to help others in community with what we've learned. We never used to have teachings in the community.”

One woman shared that she told stories to a drunkard husband and his wife. Now, in only a couple of weeks, they come to church and are being baptized.

“There’s a difference between salvation and after STS. Before I was a bit of a coward and now I feel I can share and even with children.”

“Now I talk to more people about the lord. People are really interested. I’ve been taking it to community and now it’s serious.”

“Now children want to go to church.”

“With my in-laws there’s a change because I’ve been touched by stories. When I’m trouble, I can lean on stories.”

“When I’m leaving to come to STS-OBS class, the children are excited.”

Three of the pastors’ wives shared, “Before STS, it was responsibility of our husbands to preach. Now we share responsibility. Now our husbands discuss the Bible stories at home, so that our whole family is responsible for learning together.”  

“Before our husbands prepared alone. Now together we prepare. We like it. It is bringing the family together.”

“Stories are bringing fellowship because neighbors come to hear stories and now they want to join the class.”

“I like the observations first, then applications. For many years pastors preached at us and tend to [act innocent themselves] so they don’t take responsibility on what’s being taught. From this [STS] the pastors took responsibility and they all benefit equally. They [pastors] see themselves in the story.”

“My husband is not a believer. I discuss with him and respect his authority. He let me participate. He likes the teaching and the stories but has not made decision.”

“Youth love it because they’re used to elders lecturing them. They don’t like that and don’t think they’re being listened to. Here they become active and get to discuss.”

Several women said, “When people in church, people are hiding in sin because no discussion or impact of message. Just surface, not touching people. It’s easy to use even without a lot of training, has results, people confess sin, make commit to take action on their sin, easy to prepare when going to do ministry.”

Growth in the Leadership and Church Body
I’m witnessing a growth in ministry, a growth in leadership, in the Word and
ability to lead. I lacked depth in Word. I couldn’t explain or share what is
in it. Now I see growth in the lives of those I teach. I was single when I started STS, now I’m married one month. I’m doing STS three months.”

“When using story in church, it’s equal for everyone, even children at 5 years as long as they can talk are contributing. It helps in my family. I am sharing with my mom who can’t read and is leader in church, now she is able to demonstrate leadership.”

“Church is no longer boring. Now they want to stay longer to discuss.”

“They’re [non-literates] more open and willing to be in Bible school. They’re more excited to come and learn. It’s a journey together. Now they’re going and retelling the stories to others. Before they just attended.”

“Before STS, there was no time to witness. Now we are practicing in church and our numbers growing.”