Story-telling with Will

Daily Bible readings

Several months ago, I shared about Will, a 17 year-old inmate at the MRJC, who continues to hunger for the Word of God and displays a changed life.

He was very active in gang communities and as a result was in and out of his area high school, mostly out.  As a juvenile, under 18, in the adult detention facility, he is facing heavy charges.  

Some time ago, I introduced Will to the Robert Murray McCheyne daily Bible reading plan. This plan works through the Old Testament once and the Psalms and New Testament twice throughout the year. 

What a privilege to witness what the Lord is doing in his life.  I can see the change in his eyes and spirit.  It's not about guilt or innocence relating to his case. He doesn't ask me to pray that he would get out of trouble or get less prison time.  He is peaceful and listens carefully. If he gets the chance, he will be a great student.

He took a timeout recently in his McCheyne plan and started studying the Gospel of Mark.  We read through the Mark transfiguration account this morning during a one-on-one visit using the story-telling method I learned through Tom Horton, my Rural Church Youth Ministry long-time friend originally from Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church.

The story-telling oral teaching method involves first reading the passage outloud and then recounting the story by memory while the partner follows along.  Then, we read the passage aloud, again.  We'll ask a series of questions about the text when we meet again, tomorrow.

Here is the text:  
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

The transfiguration of Jesus

And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 

And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 

And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 

And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”   ~Mark 9:1-13 ESV

He isn't even 18 and yet I am amazed by his growth and depth.