1. Clyde Taber www.visualstory.org/connect
The Four Elements of Story
Clyde Taber
VISUAL STORY NETWORK

2. The visual story network is a global community…
The Visual Story Network is a tribe of of visual storytellers in 85 countries leading a movement so everyone can encounter Jesus and His kingdom. 
                       .
The visual story network is a global community…
Connect
Collaborate
Train

3. www.VisualStory.org We foster innovation in… 1. Visual media.
2. Use of story to reach and teach the nations.
The visual story network is a global community…
Connect
Collaborate
Train
3. Adopting mobile device technology.

4. www.VisualStory.org We foster innovation as we…
1. Catalyze the Church toward new thinking.
2. Connect visual storytellers with one another
The visual story network is a global community…
Connect
Collaborate
Train
3. Collaborate with one another.

10. tells
He who has the best story wins

11. Why We Can’t Be Sloppy with Story
1. We mess with the glory
2. We conceal the message
3. Someone else will tell our story
4. We miss Great Commission
opportunities

13. Clyde Taber www.visualstory.org/connect
The Four Elements of Story
Clyde Taber
VISUAL STORY NETWORK

14. I. The Power of Story
II. You Will Define Story
III. Four Elements of Story
IV. Identify the Elements in a Biblical Story
V. The Story Challenge

15. I. The Power of Story

16. Story is the key to a resistant heart1
Story is the key to a resistant heart

17. 2
Story is universal
“There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.” Ursala LeGuin, American novelist

18. 3
Story sticks
Eclese

19. 4
Story is Cinematic

20. 5
Story offers meaning

21. 6
God has modeled story

22. Rebellion in the heavenlies Creation & the Garden Rebellion and Exile
The Three in One
Rebellion in the heavenlies
Creation & the Garden
Rebellion and Exile
Israel Called out
Kingdom comes through Messiah
You can divide it into any number of acts. Here’s mine.
Triune Unity, Cosmic Rebellion, Creation, Exile, A People Chosen, Kingdom Revealed through Messiah, New People Chosen, The Gathering
When you begin to see the big picture, that’s when things get interesting.
God is all about creating a people who learn to love Him in response to His first love.
There is nothing boring about this.
A new people
THE NEW HEAVENS & EARTH

23. Story is the key to a resistant heart1
Story is the key to a resistant heart

24. 2
Story is universal
“There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.” Ursala LeGuin, American novelist

25. 3
Story sticks

26. 4
Story is Cinematic

27. 5
Story offers meaning

28. 6
God has modeled story

29. Form groups of three and write a one sentence definition of story.
II. Define Story
Form groups of three and write a one sentence definition of story.
VISUAL STORY NETWORK

30. III. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF STORY
Jeremy Casper

31. A story is… A character trying to solve a problem while facing opposition… and the resolution to the problem.

32. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF STORY
Character
Stories are best told through the lens of one single character.

33. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF STORY
Problem
Good stories have a central problem or objective that must be solved or achieved.
A well-constructed problem is one with a measurable, cinematic solution.
All good characters have a flaw.

34. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF STORY
Opposition
The best opposition comes from people, not the environment.
Any time the relationship between the main character and the opposition is intensified, the better it is.
Drama (plot) =
your main character striving to
overcome the opposition as he or she attempts to
solve the story’s central problem.

35. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF STORY
Opposition (Cont’d)
The Antagonist
A sabotaging force working against the main character
Wants the same thing as the main character
Without opposition, you do not have a story!

36. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF STORY
Resolution
Does your character solve the central story problem or not?
Stories do not have to end positively but typically they do.

37. THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF STORY
Resolution
YOUR FINAL IMAGE
Your story’s climactic image – the image that lets your audience know when the story is over.
Your beginning and your ending are in relationship with each other.

38. FINAL IMAGE
“We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
His brothers said to him, Do you intend to reign over us?”
Genesis 37

39. FINAL IMAGE
“Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father. When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
His brothers then came and threw themselves down him before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for your and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”
Genesis 50

40. BASIC STORY STRUCTURE
Beginning (25%)
Introduce…
All the characters in your story (including the antagonist).
The central story problem.
Middle (50%)
The character wrestles with the opposition while trying to solve the problem.
End (25%)
The character solves (fails to solve) the problem by overcoming (succumbing) to the opposition – the resolution.

41. THREE ACT STRUCTURE
Act I: Beginning (25%)
Act II: Middle (50%)
Act III: End (25%)

42. IV. Identify the Elements
Choose a biblical story and identify the four elements in that story.
A story is…
A character trying to solve a problem while facing opposition…and the resolution to the problem.

43. IV. Share the story
Imagine you are sharing this story with a friend and you only have a few minutes to share that story.

44. V. Story Challenge

45. 1
Be a story student
10laws
3acts
StorySeminar

46. • We provide practical, online training for busy people engaged in ministry. • Each course is 5 weeks in length and requires only three hours each week. 
 • Each course is taught by an expert with a missional heart. • Each course is limited to 22 students for maximized learning and connection with others. • Connect with a Los Angeles story mentor.

47. 2
Be a story seeker

48. 3
Be a storyteller

49. 4
Be a story sharer

50. 5
Be a story creator

51. 6
Be one who lives the Story

52. 1
Be a story student
10laws
3acts
StorySeminar

53. 2
Be a story seeker

54. 3
Be a storyteller

55. 4
Be a story sharer

56. 5
Be a story creator

57. 6
Be one who lives the Story

58. THE BENEFITS OF STORY 1. You reveal the glory
2. You show our message is compelling.
3. You tell your own story.
4. You open Great Commission
opportunities

59. What is your biggest take-away?

60. Questions? Comments? Clyde Taber www.visualstory.org/connect
VISUAL STORY NETWORK