We might have moved into the computer age, but children and adults alike still love a good story, well told, by a real live human being, with plenty of eye contact. And we have many opportunities to recreate this powerful storytelling in our churches, whether in weekly worship, mid-week activities, celebration meals on special occasions, youth weekends, or whatever. The 35 stories in this book – from both Old and New Testaments – are designed to help with that.

The different paragraph styles give the ‘teller’ confidence to take their eyes off the script and really engage the audience, knowing they can easily find their place again and continue. If time permits, the stories can be learned in advance and told using just the ‘crib sheet’, allowing more scope for spontaneity and for the personality of the speaker to come through.

Let's get creative Genesis 1:1-2:3 We'll do it our way Genesis 3 Remember the rainbow Genesis 6-9 Towering ambition Genesis 11:1-9 In your dreams, Jacob! Genesis 28:11-22 Moses in the rushes Exodus 2:1-10 A burning desire for freedom Exodus 3:1-15 Just walk this way Exodus 14:5-31 God feeds his people Exodus 16:2-25 Now, take it easy, God! Exodus 32:1-24 He's the greatest - honest! 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Power tends to corrupt 2 Samuel 11:1-27 The game's up, David 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a Elijah and the widow 1 Kings 17:1-16 You're never alone 1 Kings 19:9-18 The God-given right to do wrong? 1 Kings 21:1-24 Oh, just do it! 2 Kings 5:1-14 New life for old bones Ezekiel 37:1-14 You can run but you can't hide Jonah 1-2 God shows who really counts Luke 2:1-20 The King, the Pretender and the Three Wise Guys Matthew 2:1-12 Do it my way Matthew 4:1-11 Don't panic! Mark 5:21-43 Holy wasteful Matthew 13:1-9 God's not fair - he's generous Matthew 20:1-16 Disabled access upstairs Mark 2:1-12 Who's in and who's out? Mark 7:24-30 Who does he think he is? Luke 4:14-30 I know I'm forgiven Luke 7:36-50 What do you mean, 'Neighbour'? Luke 10:25-37 A fool and his money Luke 12:13-21 Jesus confronts Jerusalem Luke 19:28-48 A passion for people Luke 23:1-49 They think it's all over Luke 24:9-12 Don't just sit there - communicate Acts 2:1-11