Making Biblical Examples More Relatable and Engaging for Audiences
Making Biblical Examples Relatable and Engaging
To make biblical examples more relatable and engaging for audiences, preachers and teachers can draw on various strategies rooted in biblical and historical Christian traditions. One key approach is to understand the original context and meaning of biblical passages. For instance, the word "parable" in Greek signifies a comparison or similitude, used to illustrate one subject by another [1]. This understanding can help in presenting biblical examples in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
The use of biblical examples to teach moral and spiritual lessons has a long history. In the Old Testament, the Psalms and Proverbs provide numerous examples of how God's word is used to instruct and guide believers. Matthew Henry notes that the Psalms are "wonderful" and give "admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world" [3]. Similarly, the Proverbs are a collection of wise sayings that aim to teach people knowledge and understanding [2].
In the New Testament, Jesus' use of parables is a prime example of making biblical teachings relatable. By using everyday scenarios and characters, Jesus made complex spiritual truths accessible to a wide audience. The early Christian fathers also recognized the importance of making scripture engaging. John Chrysostom, for example, encouraged his congregation to read and reflect on the Gospels before coming to church, so that they might be better prepared to understand and apply the teachings [6].
To make biblical examples more engaging, preachers can highlight their relevance to contemporary life. For instance, the experiences of biblical figures, such as David in the Psalms, can be used to illustrate the human condition and God's response to human struggles. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that the Psalms contain "a celebration of God's deliverance" and "a profession of devotion to His service," making them relatable to believers across different eras [5].
Furthermore, understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical examples can enhance their relatability. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the importance of applying biblical teachings to everyday life. Henry's commentary on Deuteronomy 4:1 highlights the need to "take in" the discourse as a whole and "digest it into proper heads," demonstrating a thoughtful and nuanced approach to biblical interpretation [4].
By drawing on these strategies and traditions, preachers and teachers can make biblical examples more relatable and engaging for their audiences. The key is to understand the original context, highlight the relevance to contemporary life, and apply the teachings in a way that resonates with listeners. As John Gill notes, scripture instructions and exhortations are of "perpetual use," and their application can be adapted to different times and contexts [7].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25 (introduction): This verse is the title of this latter collection of Solomon's proverbs, for he sought out and set in order many proverbs, that by them he might be still teaching the people knowledge, Ecc 12:9. Observe, 1. The proverbs were Solomon's, who was divinely inspired to deliver, for the use of the church, these wise and weighty sentences; we have had many, but still there are more. Yet herein Christ is greater than Solomon, for if we had all upon record that Christ said, and did, that was instructive, the world could not contain the books that would be wr”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:129: See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with God's testimonies, or do not understand them, if we do not admire th”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 4:1: This most lively and excellent discourse is so entire, and the particulars of it are so often repeated, that we must take it altogether in the exposition of it, and endeavour to digest it into proper heads, for we cannot divide it into paragraphs. I. In general, it is the use and application of the foregoing history; it comes in by way of inference from it: Now therefore harken, O Israel, Deu 4:1. This use we should make of the review of God's providences concerning us, we should by them be quickened and engaged to duty and obedience. The histories of the year”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 40 (introduction): In this Psalm a celebration of God's deliverance is followed by a profession of devotion to His service. Then follows a prayer for relief from imminent dangers, involving the overthrow of enemies and the rejoicing of sympathizing friends. In Heb 10:5, &c., Paul quotes Psa 40:6-8 as the words of Christ, offering Himself as a better sacrifice. Some suppose Paul thus accommodated David's words to express Christ's sentiments. But the value of his quotation would be thus destroyed, as it would have no force in his argument, unless regarded by h”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: 38 Homily XI. John i. 14 “And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us.” [1.] I desire to ask one favor of you all, before I touch on the words of the Gospel; do not you refuse my request, for I ask nothing heavy or burdensome, nor, if granted, will it be useful only to me who receive, but also to you who grant it, and perhaps far more so to you. What then is it that I require of you? That each of you take in hand that section of the Gospels which is to be read among you on the first day of the week, or even on the Sabbath, and before the day arr”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 3:15: While it is said today,.... Exhort one another, and hold fast Christ and his Gospel, and faith and confidence therein; what follows is a repetition of the citation in Heb 3:7 in order to make a further improvement of it; which shows, that the words belong to the present times of the Gospel, and contain in them matter of moment, and great concern; and that Scripture instructions and exhortations are of perpetual use. in order to make a further improvement of it; which shows, that the words belong to the present times of the Gospel, and contain in them matter of momen”