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Using Human Examples in Teaching and Preaching

Scripture itself employs human examples as a primary teaching method. Christ taught in parables—comparisons drawn from everyday life—to illustrate spiritual truths [2]. When his disciples asked why he spoke in parables, he explained that these earthly illustrations revealed heavenly realities to those with ears to hear [8]. The biblical writers likewise point to specific individuals as patterns: the prophets exemplify patient suffering [6], Abraham models faith, and Christ himself stands as the supreme example in meekness, prayer, and service [3, 1, 12].

The Pattern of Christ's Example

The New Testament explicitly identifies Christ as an example for believers to follow. Peter writes that "Christ set an example" in his suffering [6], while John records Jesus saying, "I have given you an example" after washing his disciples' feet [12]. This exemplary function extends across multiple domains: Christ modeled early rising for devotion [5], intercessory prayer for others [1], and meekness in the face of opposition [3]. Paul appeals to Christ's example when urging the Corinthians toward humility, and the author of Hebrews uses Christ's endurance to encourage perseverance under trial [6].

Yet Christ's example differs fundamentally from mere moral instruction. John Gill notes that while Christ serves as a pattern "in the exercise of grace, of meekness, humility, love, patience," he did not die "merely as an example, but likewise in the room and stead of his people" [12]. The example functions within a framework of substitutionary atonement, not as a replacement for it.

Apostolic Use of Human Examples

The apostles consistently employed their own lives as teaching illustrations. Paul told the Thessalonians that he worked with his own hands specifically to provide "an example" they should imitate [13]. Teaching by example carried significant weight in the ancient world [13], and Paul leveraged this cultural expectation, urging the Philippians to follow his pattern and instructing Timothy to "set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" [9, 6]. Peter likewise commanded pastors to serve as examples to their flocks rather than lording authority over them [6].

Paul's instruction to Timothy reveals the scope of exemplary teaching: it encompasses speech patterns, behavioral choices, relational conduct, doctrinal fidelity, and moral purity [9]. The example is comprehensive, not limited to isolated acts of virtue. When Paul told the Ephesian elders, "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak," he grounded his exhortation in Christ's own words about giving [7]. The chain of imitation runs from Christ through the apostles to the congregations.

Negative Examples as Warning

Scripture also employs negative examples. The writer of Hebrews warns believers not to follow "the example" of the Israelites who fell in the wilderness through unbelief [6]. James points to the prophets as examples of suffering, implicitly contrasting their endurance with potential impatience [6]. The Psalms describe the wicked as those who "indulge their sinful nature" from birth, while the godly "fight against it"—a contrast that functions pedagogically [10]. Even the zeal of idolaters and hypocrites can serve as a provocation to greater missionary effort among believers [4].

Augustine's comment on 1 John clarifies the nature of negative examples: "From the devil there is not generation, but corruption" [11]. Those who imitate the devil become his children "by imitating him, not by proper birth" [11]. The warning examples in Scripture thus illustrate the consequences of corruption rather than suggesting an alternative lineage.

The Scope of Exemplary Teaching

The call to serve as examples extends beyond clergy to the entire body of believers. Women, children, and the elderly all function as missionaries "after the example of Christ" [4]. The principle applies across life stages: youth are to be examples in their generation, and the aged are to pass on wisdom through their conduct [4]. Peter identifies all believers as part of a royal priesthood, implying a universal exemplary function [4]. The household codes in the Pastoral Epistles and 1 Peter assume that older women will teach younger women through both precept and pattern [4].

Human examples in teaching thus rest on the biblical pattern of imitation: believers imitate faithful teachers who imitate the apostles who imitate Christ. The method assumes that truth becomes concrete in lives, that doctrine shapes conduct, and that the gospel produces visible fruit in human behavior.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
  2. 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”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As — After the example of Christ -- Ac 10:38. Women and children as well as men -- Ps 8:2; Pr 31:26; Mt 21:15,16; Php 4:3; 1Ti 5:10; Tit 2:3-5; 1Pe 3:1. The zeal of idolaters should provoke to -- Jer 7:18. The zeal of hypocrites should provoke to -- Mt 23:15. An imperative duty -- Jdj 5:23; Lu 19:40. The principle on which -- 2Co 5:14,15. However weak they may be -- 1Co 1:27. From their calling as saints -- Ex 19:6; 1Pe 2:9. As faithful stewards -- 1Pe 4:10,11. In youth -- Ps 71:17; 148:12,13. In old age -- De 32:7; Ps 71:18. In”
  5. 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 ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
  7. Acts “In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” -- Acts 20:35”
  8. Matthew “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. -- Matthew 13:13”
  9. I Timothy “I Timothy 4:12 (BSB) — Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  11. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
  12. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 13:15: For I have given you an example,.... Christ is an example to his people, in many things; not in his miraculous performances and mediatorial work, but in the exercise of grace, of meekness, humility, love, patience, and the like; and in the discharge of duty, in submission to ordinances, and in attending on them; and in the several duties, both to them that are without, and to them that are within; and also in his sufferings and death; not that he died merely as an example, but likewise in the room and stead of his people; but here he is spoken of, as an example, in a p”
  13. 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:7: 3:7 Teaching by example was highly regarded in the ancient world. Paul himself provided an example by working for his own food (3:8; 1 Thes 2:9).”
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