Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
An international ministry of apologetics and evangelism—answering skeptics' questions about Christianity and helping Christians better understand their own beliefs.
Today's devotional: the turtle on the fence post
Have you heard of the "turtle on a fencepost" saying? It goes like this: if you're walking along...
The ministries in the Gospel.com Community organize information into 'topics' to help you find what you're looking for. Learn more
Storytelling resources and why it matters
Two interesting videos on different aspects of storytelling. First, here's a short video from Sean Buluva, an oral communication trainer. It sums up the 9 storytelling tips he also explains in writing.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/10210
What should happen in your brain during storytelling?
There is, happily, a growing understanding of the significance of storytelling for good communication. The video below explains research into brain chemistry as a response to storytelling.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/9553
Jeffrey Overstreet explains the significance of storytelling
It probably needs a storyteller to explain the significance of story. And when that storyteller is Jeffrey Overstreet, it will be good.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/8290
Oscar & other prizewinning animation / video shorts illuminate truth using film
In all the hype about the Oscars, and the deserved accolades for The Artist, you may have missed the Oscar for best animation. It went to The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, a quirky allegory about the healing nature of story. (And due to be released as a bookand phone app.) Watch the full 15-minute animation below, and after it, prizewinning The Porcelain Unicorn.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/7232
Christian storytelling - incredibly vital for effective communication
Storytelling is so strategic. The Christian Storyteller releases a monthly story and tips. They also have regular conferences.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/4503
Using secular movies as a starting point in evangelism
Here are several examples of using movies to connect with outsiders. This strategy has huge potential, both online and offline. Watch too a trailer compilation of the wonderful Studio Ghibli films.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/2418
Digital Rivers Newtown - a short story illustrating the growth of social networking
It’s not often that a completely new town is built on unused open land. But that’s where Digital Rivers Newtown was constructed, in a previously undiscovered valley. People soon came flooding in to live, moving from surrounding settlements such as Printville and TVtown.
http://internetevangelismday.com/facebook-story.php
Video clips that ask questions rather than give answers
First, here’s Alma, a prize-winning animation by Rodrigo Blaas that is hugely compelling. And chilling. A visual metaphor of entrapment. (‘Alma’ is Spanish for ’soul’.) A real discussion starter – it would be useful to show, for example, to a youth group. Or as a embedded clip within a website, asking questions. There is so much to see and analyze within it, with spiritual parallels and warnings.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/1230
Starting points for evangelism that few seem to use
Mary and I had three days in London last week, as a lovely Christmas gift from our grownup children. Thanks guys! Included were tickets to Oliver! the musical, of which more below.
First though, we went to the Babylon exhibition in the British Museum, where among the exhibits were the beautiful blue glazed bricks from the Ishtar Gate and processional way. The original has been reconstructed at the Pergamum Museum in Berlin (which also houses the reconstructed market gate from Miletus and the temple from Pergamum. Daniel would doubtless have walked or ridden through the Ishtar Gate many times.
Oliver! (based on Dickens’ Oliver Twist novel) starred Rowan Atkinson, and was a great experience. I was reminded yet again that most stories are based on the archetypal ‘hero’s journey’ and contain echoes from eternity – the universal themes of searching, finding, sacrifice and redemption, which reflect elements of The Story – God’s plan and purpose for us.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/138
Golf parable: best practice or wrong way for church websites to reach the community with appropriate evangelism
You can’t miss Stonylands Town Golf Club if you take the winding back road out of town. But if you are in any doubt, the signboard says it all: “Stonylands Golf Club. Member of the Federation of National Golf Clubs. Est. 1924. Secretary: J S Peasworthy, BSc.” There follows in smaller letters, “Private Property” and without apparent irony, “No ball games”. The style of the sign is almost identical to the original 1924 version, as you can readily see in the photographs of The Opening displayed in the clubhouse foyer.
http://internetevangelismday.com/golf-parable.php