Sharing the gospel in three minutes

Bible storytelling in Tonga

by Ian Hutchinson  | Wycliffe Today Spring 2025|

I had a special experience this June when I headed to Tonga with fellow Wycliffe Australia representative, Margaret Love. Two local Tongans joined us to train people in how to share their faith by simply asking, ‘Would you like to hear a three-minute Bible story?’

I was impressed with their boldness. Trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit, they went out to the streets and markets on Saturday afternoon to share their faith, using the newly learned tool of Bible Storytelling. I suspect that many of them had not previously known how to share their faith. It was a privilege to be there as they learnt to trust in God to overcome their fears as they witnessed to people outside the Church. 

I went to the market with an older man named Peter who asked several groups if they would like to hear a story. They gave him their full attention as he shared with authority and conviction, and they thanked him at the end.

During our time on the island of ‘Eua, I came across a group of young rugby players, waiting for their game to begin. They agreed to listen to a Bible story and I told them about how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  This was one of the stories we had trained the workshop group to share. They don’t have too many white men telling them a Bible story before a rugby game, so I’m sure they will remember that story!

Participants in the workshops said to us after their course, ‘We want to train more people for this! It’s exactly what Christians need!’ Jesus never taught without telling a story. We can’t get a better example to follow than his!

Margaret Love joined Ian as a trainer for the workshop. She shares:

My husband, Robert, and I have been involved in facilitating Story the Bible workshops in NSW on a regular basis. We have also run workshops in the Solomon Islands (2012), Fiji (2012 and 2013) and in Tonga (2013 and 2025).

A lot of people think that Bible stories are just for children but they are for everyone. We all start out as oral preference learners and then are taught literacy skills at school. After participating in Story the Bible workshops, I discovered that I still learn better orally. When you can hear, see, and experience something in community, the Bible is no longer dry and tedious to read. 

I have discovered so much more about God’s Word from learning Bible stories. I listen to the Bible each morning as I do my devotional readings. I use stories at my Scripture classes, and when sharing at our little outreach church in one of the suburbs of Tamworth.

Suliana is a local Tongan who has participated in previous Story the Bible events. She helped lead workshops with Ian and Margaret and says:

It was good to see my people, on my island, knowing more about God’s Word. It helps me remember Bible stories, deepen my faith, and my journey with God, especially as my family is growing.

Reverend Sitaleki also joined the workshop as a participant. He says:

I came to the workshop because I wanted to know more of God’s Word. I am excited to know how the workshop would help us with our ministry here on ‘Eua Island.