The Power of Storytelling: Using Biblical Narratives to Share the Gospel

By Dr. Tim Orr

As someone who naturally gravitates toward propositional truth—sharing clear, logical arguments to explain the gospel—I’ve often overlooked the power of storytelling. Yet, the Bible uses stories repeatedly to reveal God’s truth, character, and plan for humanity. From the creation narrative to the parables of Jesus, storytelling is woven throughout Scripture to connect deeply with people’s hearts and minds. This approach can be especially effective for Muslims, who hold a deep appreciation for the prophets' stories. Biblical narratives like those of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus resonate with Muslim values and provide a bridge to share the good news of Christ in a relational and compelling way.

Indeed, Muslims greatly emphasize the qisas al-anbiya (stories of the prophets), which highlight themes of faith, obedience, and divine intervention. Many figures—like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus—are central to the Quran and the Bible. The shared reverence for these prophets provides a unique opportunity to introduce deeper truths about God’s redemptive plan as revealed in Scripture.

Abraham: The Test of Faith and God’s Provision

Abraham (Ibrahim) is revered as the father of faith in Islam and Christianity. Muslims commemorate his willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God during Eid al-Adha. In the Quranic account, Abraham’s obedience is the focal point, with little emphasis on the son or the significance of the substitute. In contrast, the Bible’s account in Genesis 22 draws attention to Abraham’s faith and God’s provision of a ram to replace Isaac as the sacrifice. This moment of divine intervention introduces the concept of substitutionary atonement, a theme that culminates in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.

When sharing this story, begin by affirming Abraham’s exemplary faith, a virtue Muslims admire deeply. Then, emphasize the role of God as the provider. Ask reflective questions like, “What does it mean for God to provide a substitute in place of Abraham’s son?” From there, explain how Jesus serves as the ultimate provision for humanity, taking the punishment for our sins. By linking the narrative of Abraham to the gospel, you’re not introducing a foreign concept but building on a story they already revere, leading them to see the broader context of God’s redemptive plan.

Joseph: God’s Sovereignty in Suffering

Joseph (Yusuf), the son of Jacob (Yaqub), is a beloved figure in both the Quran and the Bible. Islam celebrates his story as a tale of patience, integrity, and ultimate triumph over adversity. The Quranic version focuses on Joseph’s moral purity and steadfastness during trials. However, the Bible’s account in Genesis 37–50 offers a more comprehensive narrative, showing how God’s sovereignty is woven through Joseph’s life. Despite betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph rises to power and ultimately forgives his brothers, declaring, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

This story is a profound entry point for discussing God’s ability to redeem even the most painful circumstances. Muslims highly value the concept of sabr (patience) in the face of trials, making Joseph’s story deeply relatable. When sharing this narrative, focus on Joseph’s forgiveness, a virtue highly esteemed in Islamic teachings. Ask, “How do you think Joseph could forgive his brothers after all they did to him?” This naturally transitions into a conversation about Jesus, who forgave His enemies and bore their sins on the cross. By linking Joseph’s story of reconciliation with Jesus’ act of ultimate forgiveness, you can gently guide your friend to see Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s plan for redemption.

Moses: Deliverance Through God’s Power

Moses (Musa) is one of the most frequently mentioned prophets in the Quran and is seen as a symbol of courage and obedience. Muslims admire his role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt and his unwavering faith in God’s commands. The Bible’s account in Exodus provides additional depth, particularly in the story of the Passover (Exodus 12). Here, God commands the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so the angel of death will pass over their homes. This act of faith and obedience resulted in their deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

When sharing this story, highlight Moses’ trust in God and God’s power to save His people. Ask questions like, “What do you think it means for God to require the blood of a lamb as a sign of protection?” Use this as an opportunity to explain how the Passover lamb points forward to Jesus as the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice delivers us from spiritual slavery to sin. Muslims respect God as a deliverer, and Moses’ story provides a natural bridge to discussing how Jesus fulfills this role on a much greater scale.

Jesus: More Than a Prophet

Jesus (Isa) is highly esteemed in Islam as a prophet, a healer, and a miracle worker. Muslims respect His compassion and His unique birth but do not recognize Him as the Son of God or the Savior of the world. The Bible’s portrayal of Jesus goes far beyond that of a prophet, emphasizing His divine authority and mission to save humanity.

Stories of Jesus’ miracles, such as healing the blind man (John 9), raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11), or forgiving the woman caught in adultery (John 8), can open meaningful conversations. For instance, the story of Jesus healing the paralytic in Mark 2 shows His power to heal and His authority to forgive sins. This authority, which only God possesses, sets Jesus apart.

When sharing these stories, start with aspects Muslims admire: His compassion, power, and closeness to God. Then, gently introduce questions that invite deeper reflection, such as, “What do you think it means that Jesus forgave sins? Can anyone other than God do that?” These questions pave the way to discussing Jesus’ divine nature and His role as the Savior. Transition to the gospel by explaining how His death and resurrection fulfilled God’s promise to reconcile humanity to Himself.

Practical Tips for Storytelling

Start with Familiar Ground: Begin with stories your Muslim friend already knows and respects, like Abraham’s faith, Joseph’s patience, or Jesus’ miracles. Affirm their existing beliefs while gently introducing the fuller biblical narrative.
Ask Reflective Questions: Encourage dialogue by asking open-ended questions like, “What does this story teach us about God’s mercy?” or “Why do you think God provided a substitute for Abraham?”
Focus on God’s Attributes: Emphasize qualities Muslims revere, such as God’s mercy, justice, and sovereignty. Show how these attributes are fulfilled in Jesus’ life and mission.
Be Respectful and Patient: Avoid rushing the conversation or trying to “win” an argument. Trust the Holy Spirit to work through the seeds you plant.
Pray for Guidance: Sharing stories is not just a conversation—it’s a spiritual act. Pray for wisdom, humility, and openness as you engage with your friend.

Why Storytelling Works

Stories have the unique ability to touch both the heart and the mind. They bridge cultural and theological divides by focusing on shared human experiences: trust in God (Abraham), perseverance through trials (Joseph), deliverance from bondage (Moses), and compassion and forgiveness (Jesus). These narratives invite Muslims to see God’s character in action and to consider how these stories point to the ultimate truth of the gospel.

The Bible reveals a consistent narrative of God's love and redemption through Abraham’s faith, Joseph’s forgiveness, Moses’ deliverance, and Jesus’ compassion. By sharing these stories, you’re not just recounting history—you’re inviting your Muslim friend to encounter the living God who desires a relationship with them. Trust the power of these stories to plant seeds of truth and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Because the gospel isn’t just a story—it’s the greatest story ever told.

Tim Orr is a scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, the University of Tehran, Islamic College London, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.