Many people feel novels are a waste of time.
Even people who love them.
Some are.
Others are even worse.
But, on the other hand,
as followers of Jesus,
the novel may well be one of our most neglected resources.
"Why are you always making up stories?"
Jesus' disciples challenged him.
"Don't waste time.
Stick with the good stuff, the practical how-to stuff,"
they seemed to say.
What if you had only three and a half years to impact the world?
How would you teach when multitudes stood in front of you?
Only after I'd drafted three novels did I begin to research their value.
I was shocked and surprised at what I found.
In the coming weeks I'll be sharing my discoveries.
Until then you might like to read Matthew 13.
At least verses 1-23 and 34-35).
Here's verse 34:
"Jesus . . . did not say anything to them without using a parable."
DEFINITION: parable - a made up story used to teach spiritual truth