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.”  

OBS - Philippines Six-Month Report

STS-OBS Negros, Philippines

Wrap-Up Report After Six Month School Term 
The students the writer "E.B." referenced in the earlier paragraphs above as being at the three month milestone have now completed their six months’ term and graduated.
Five STS instructors (two from the Philippines, two from the US and one from Australia) attended the graduation. The nine students (out of the original twelve who started in this school) told a Bible story of their selection to the instructors. They also told a story that was selected at random by the visiting instructors from the list of Bible stories the superintendent said the students had learned.  

Besides telling the story, the students shared some of what they had discovered spiritually in the story and told how the six months of school had impacted them and their families.

The superintendent had told us at the three month mark that the students knew an average of 20 stories each. This number seemed very low to us considering how hard we knew the students had been working and how long the school days had been.

Through an investigative phone conversation, it was discovered that the superintendent had trained the students to memorize the stories. He had not yet clearly understood the style of remembering we teach in STS. (See the fun story of this episode of memorizing/remembering discovery). When this Filipino leader finally understood how much easier it is to do what we in STS call “remembering” a story, and that remembering did NOT compromise the integrity of the Word of God, he quickly taught that skill to the students.

Amazingly, the total number of stories learned by the students in the second three months of the school averaged one hundred and ten stories! YES, remembering is easier than memorizing. The total number of stories learned in the six months by the students ranged from 100 to 150 stories!

As well as the quantity of stories learned being impressive, the impact on the lives of the students, their families and their ministries also greatly encourages us to move forward as quickly as possible in establishing these Oral Bible Schools. (Ministry began during the six-month school term both locally on weekends and during a few visits back to the mountain area that these students call home.)

[As our dedicated and overwhelmed volunteer staff can transcribe the student reports, we plan to post them on this site. Below are some of the students’  “report cards.”]