Daughter of Jairus (1) – Waiting
Please read Mark 5:22-24a, 35-43 It’s one of the most difficult experiences in life. Whatever age. Young or older. Those times when one’s child is struggling or unwell – and being unable to do anything Read more…
Daughter of Jairus (2) – Welcoming Children
The church was full (for once). The visiting preacher had drawn a big congregation. Children played in the far corner. We sat, ready to hear the preacher’s message about the importance of inclusivity. “Children shouldn’t Read more…
John (1) – Loved
With all the story tellers in this book, we can only wonder about what else they could tell us and John is no different. Please read John 20:30-31 & John 21:25 The disciple John and Read more…
John (2) – Beloved
John knew he was loved by other people. John knew he was loved by God. Please read 1 John 4:7-12, 16 This is the God who loved Mary and Joseph. This is the God who Read more…
Judas Iscariot (1) – Betrayal
“You’ve given me the confidence to feel I can go out with someone else,” she told me on Valentine’s Day. Nearly 40 years on (and after over 30 with my wife) I can laugh at Read more…
Judas Iscariot (2) – Loss
So what else can we learn from the life of Judas? More specifically, what can we learn from the death of Judas? (Please be aware this entry deals with the sensitive topic of suicide.) Please Read more…
Man from the Gerasenes (1) – Healing
Having arrived in the country of the Gerasenes after a stormy trip across Lake Galilee, Jesus is faced with a challenging situation. There’s a man who’s ‘Mad, bad and dangerous to know’… and there’s no Read more…
Man from the Gerasenes (2) – Wholeness
Please read Mark 5:14b-20 After Jesus’ intervention, the man from the Gerasenes is described as being ‘in his right mind’. (Please be aware this entry considers the sensitive topic of mental ill health.) Many have Read more…
Martha & Mary (1) – Distraction
While some of the stories in A Story to Tell are more difficult to fully relate to, although we do have a choice whether or not to learn from all of them, the story of Read more…
Martha & Mary (2) – Devotion
Jesus, Mary and Martha are together once again in Bethany. And this time there’s an altogether different atmosphere: Please read John 12:1-7 Jesus may well have found stability and security in the friendship and hospitality of Read more…
Mary & Joseph (1) – Presenting
Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem when Jesus was just 40 days old. It was the custom under Old Testament laws that parents would take their first-born son to the Temple to dedicate him to Read more…
Mary & Joseph (2) – Finding
When my son was about four years old, he was playing in the street with his friends. At one point I couldn’t see him so assumed he’d gone to one of the other children’s homes Read more…
Mary Magdalene (1) – Fiction
After considering Judas’ lasting reputation, we now turn to another of Jesus’ followers whose story has been embellished and fabricated long after they lived: Mary Magdalene. Please read Luke 8:1-3 Coming from the fishing village Read more…
Mary Magdalene (2) – Fact
While not named, Mary was probably among other women who gathered for the Last Supper and then moved on to the Garden at Gethsemane – and she was certainly involved in what followed. Please read Read more…
Nicodemus (1) – Darkness
The words of John 3:16 are one of the most well known verses and most quoted of Jesus’ sayings – and behind them lies another story. Please read John 3:1-21 Nicodemus was a leader of Read more…
Nicodemus (2) – Light
From going to Jesus for spiritual direction to defending him in front of his fellow Pharisees (see John 7:43-52), Nicodemus had discerned that this man, this Jesus, is the Messiah the Jews have been expecting. Read more…
Pontius Pilate (1) – Dilemmas
Second only to Julius Caesar, Pontius Pilate the governor of Judea who sent Jesus to the cross is one of the best-known Roman citizens who ever lived. His name is etched into the Christian creeds Read more…
Pontius Pilate (2) – Discernment
Pontius Pilate had a problem. Please read Matthew 27:24-26 & John 19:16-22 For all his gesture and protestation, Pilate was still obliged to have the final word, and he did so in a probably characteristically Read more…
The Uncondemned Woman (1) – Accused
As with the woman from Samaria, here we have another unnamed woman. Another woman facing the judgement and prejudices of others. A woman forever remembered by something she was caught doing. Please read John 7:53-8:11 Read more…
The Uncondemned Woman (2) – Absolved
After things had gone wrong, the words I wrote had meant well. It was written from the heart. I asked for forgiveness and it offered forgiveness. It was responded to with condemnation. It was not Read more…
Thomas (1) – Doubting
But what if Jesus hadn’t come back to life after all? Please read John 20: 24-25 What do you have doubts about? The Virgin Birth? The Resurrection? The turning of water in to wine? Prayer Read more…
Thomas (2) – Believing
After the resurrection, Thomas wanted to be sure. He wanted to see the evidence. Please read John 20:26-29 Poor Thomas. It must have been a difficult week. The other ten disciples and followers, including the Read more…
Woman from Samaria (1) – Prejudice
While the story of Nicodemus tells us that his initial encounter was deliberate, planned and at night, the woman from Samaria meets Jesus by chance (or so she thinks) in the heat of the day. Read more…
Woman from Samaria (2) – Pride
They stand at the well. And they talk. Please read John 4:7b-15 Continuing as it does to verse 28, this is the longest recorded conversation between a woman and Jesus in the whole of the Read more…
GROUP DISCUSSION MATERIAL
Download Group Discussion material based on the stories on this website. You may like to use them in a Lent Course, Cell Group or House Group setting, for example. Simply pick whichever stories you think Read more…