Using Everyday Life Examples in Evangelism and Discipleship Correctly
Everyday life examples can serve as powerful illustrations in evangelism and discipleship, helping to connect spiritual truths with tangible experiences. The Bible itself frequently uses common scenarios and observations to convey profound messages. For instance, the concept of "early rising" is presented as an example of Christ's devotion and a requisite for spiritual discipline, as seen in passages like Mark 1:35 and Luke 21:38 [1]. It is also linked to executing God's commands, discharging daily duties, and illustrating spiritual diligence, with figures like Abraham, Jacob, and David cited as examples [1].
Similarly, "sincerity" is highlighted as a crucial characteristic for believers, exemplified by Christ himself (1 Peter 2:22) and expected of ministers (Titus 2:7). Sincerity should permeate one's love for God and Christ, service to God, faith, love for others, and overall conduct (Romans 12:9; Ephesians 6:24; 2 Corinthians 1:12) [2]. Even the preaching of the gospel should be marked by sincerity (2 Corinthians 2:17) [2].
In discipleship, ministers are encouraged to be examples in their lives and conversations, providing a model for believers to follow in word, charity, spirit, faith, and purity [5]. John Gill, commenting on Ezekiel, suggests that when ministers engage in worship and devotion, churches should join them, and ministers' lives should serve as examples [5]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Luke 9:16, draws parallels between Christ feeding the multitude and a minister feeding souls. He suggests that a minister should first partake of the "bread of life" himself, lift his soul to God for blessing, and then "break the loaves"—rightly dividing the word of truth to suit the capacities of his hearers [6].
The use of everyday examples extends to understanding complex theological concepts. For instance, John Calvin, in his commentary on Philippians, uses the analogy of lamps and wicks, or candlesticks and candles, to explain how believers are meant to shine forth the word of God through a pure life (Matthew 5:15) [4]. This demonstrates that the application of spiritual truth to daily living is not merely an abstract exercise but a practical outworking of faith. The early apostles, for example, engaged in daily teaching and preaching in the temple, taking advantage of public opportunities to share the message of Jesus [3].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 5:42: Daily in the temple - That is at the hours of morning and evening prayer; for they felt it their duty to worship God in public, and to help others to make a profitable use of the practice. Every man that professes Christianity should, in this respect also, copy their conduct: nor can any man be considered to have any religion, let his sentiments be what they may, who does not attend on the public worship of his Maker. They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus - Far from desisting, they became more zealous, yea, incessant, in their work. They took advantage of the publ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 12.10: makes us resemble the lamps; while he compares the word of God to the wick, from which the light comes. If you prefer another figure — we are candlesticks: the doctrine of the gospel is the candle, which, being placed in us, diffuses light on all sides. Now he intimates, that we do injustice to the word of God, if it does not shine forth in us in respect of purity of life. This is the import of Christ’s saying, “No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it under a bushel,” etc. ( Matthew 5:15 .) We are said, however, ”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 1:19: And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them,.... When the ministers of the Gospel begin the worship of God, and move in acts of devotion, the churches join with them; see Rev 4:9; and in their lives and conversations they are examples to them; and churches and members ought to walk as they have them, for an example in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up; when the ministers of the word have their affections raised, and are in lively f”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 9:16: Then he took the five loaves - A minister of the Gospel, who is employed to feed souls, should imitate this conduct of Christ: 1. He ought to exhort the people to hear with sedate and humble reverence. 2. He should first take the bread of life himself, that he may be strengthened to feed others. 3. He ought frequently to lift his soul to God, in order to draw down the Divine blessing on himself and his hearers. 4. He should break the loaves - divide rightly the word of truth, and give to all such portions as are suited to their capacities and states. 5. What he cannot”