Using Stories and Examples to Illustrate the Gospel Message Practically

Using Stories and Examples to Illustrate the Gospel Message

Jesus frequently used parables to convey the gospel message, making it accessible to a wider audience. A parable is a comparison or similitude that illustrates a spiritual truth by relating it to a common aspect of life ^[2]. The Greek term "parabole" signifies a placing beside or together, highlighting the analogical nature of these stories ^[2].

The Gospels contain numerous examples of Jesus using parables to teach about the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 13, Jesus explains that he speaks in parables because "seeing they don't see, and hearing, they don't hear, neither do they understand" ^[8]. This approach allowed him to reach his audience while also challenging their understanding. The parables in Matthew 13, such as the parable of the sower and the parable of the mustard seed, represent the kingdom of heaven and its growth ^[15].

The use of parables and examples in gospel communication is rooted in biblical tradition. The prophets used parables and visions to convey God's message to the people ^[9]. In the New Testament, the apostles continued this practice, using stories and examples to illustrate the gospel message. For instance, Paul's preaching was characterized by the "power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit" ^[5].

The importance of using examples in Christian teaching is also emphasized in the New Testament epistles. Believers are encouraged to follow the example of Christ ^[7] and to imitate the faith of their leaders ^[6]. The apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthians to follow his example, just as he follows Christ's ^[12]. This emphasis on exemplary living and teaching underscores the value of using stories and examples to convey the gospel message.

The early Christian preachers, known as evangelists, were tasked with proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. The term "gospel" (or "evangelion" in Greek) refers to the good message or news about Jesus Christ ^{[1, 3]}. The four canonical Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — provide historical accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Mark's Gospel, in particular, is believed to have been influenced by Peter's discourses ^[4].

In Christian tradition, the use of stories and examples to illustrate the gospel message has continued. The Puritan commentator Matthew Henry notes that the parables in Matthew 13 represent the kingdom of heaven and its growth ^[15]. Similarly, the Reformed theologian John Gill emphasizes the importance of exemplary living and teaching in his commentary on 2 Corinthians ^[13].

The effectiveness of using stories and examples in gospel communication lies in their ability to convey complex spiritual truths in a relatable way. As the Protestant academic commentary on Matthew 13:3 notes, parables are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth ^[14]. By using everyday examples and narratives, Christian communicators can make the gospel message more accessible and engaging for their audience.

The biblical emphasis on using stories and examples to illustrate the gospel message is not limited to the Gospels. The Psalms and Proverbs also employ literary devices like metaphor and simile to convey spiritual truths ^{[10, 11]}. The use of parables and examples is a key aspect of biblical pedagogy, allowing teachers to convey complex ideas in a clear and memorable way.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
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”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate accounts are given in their place. They were all composed during the latter half of the first century: those of St. Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of the second century, t”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mark, Gospel according to — It is the current and apparently well-founded tradition that Mark derived his information mainly from the discourses of Peter. In his mother's house he would have abundant opportunities of obtaining information from the other apostles and their coadjutors, yet he was "the disciple and interpreter of Peter" specially. As to the time when it was written, the Gospel furnishes us with no definite information. Mark makes no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem, hence it must have been written before that event, and probably about A.D. 63. Th”
Romans “in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; -- Romans 15:19”
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; ”
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).”
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”
Hosea “Hosea 12:10 (BSB) — I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.”
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).”
Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:3: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.”
Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 13 (introduction): In this chapter, we have, I. The favour which Christ did to his countrymen in preaching the kingdom of heaven to them (Mat 13:1-2). He preached to them in parables, and here gives the reason why he chose that way of instructing (Mat 13:10-17). And the evangelist gives another reason (Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35). There are eight parables recorded in this chapter, which are designed to represent the kingdom of heaven, the method of planting the gospel kingdom in the world, and of its growth and success. The great truths and laws of that kingdom are in other ”

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