Teaching Narrative (again...)

I was discussing Bible narrative with a college lecturer at the weekend, and he told me his current approach. He gets his audience into a story by directing them to the narrator and his art:

'Can you see how he has grabbed their attention by making a shocking opening statement?'
'Notice how the storyteller is using his surroundings as pictures for his story.'
'Did you spot the cliff-hanger at the beginning? Now the audience will be hanging on every word waiting to see what happens next...'

This approach would be too complex for younger children, who need a simple, clear story. But for older children and teens this can be an engaging way to get them into the passage. It also helps them to see that the Bible writers chose which narrative to include, where to put it and how to tell it - all great clues pointing to the main point they are making.