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Using Stories in Analogies and Examples for Teaching Preaching

Preachers frequently employ stories, analogies, and examples as teaching tools, a practice rooted in biblical precedent and theological understanding. The Bible itself uses various forms of narrative and comparison to convey divine truth. The Greek word parabole, from which "parable" derives, signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or illustration of one subject by another [1]. This concept is equivalent to the Hebrew mashal, which can denote a proverb, a prophetic utterance, or an enigmatic saying [7].

The Old Testament demonstrates the use of such illustrative language. Hosea 12:10 states, "I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables" [3]. This verse suggests that God himself communicated through parables via his prophets [14]. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 12:9 notes that "the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge, and gave ear, and sought out—he made right many similes" [4]. These examples highlight an ancient tradition of using comparative and narrative forms in religious instruction.

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently taught using parables. Mark 4:33 records, "With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it" [5]. Matthew 13:13 explains Jesus's use of parables: "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand" [6]. This suggests that parables served both to reveal truth to those who were receptive and to obscure it from those who were not [15]. The parables of Jesus, such as the Sower, are considered foundational to understanding the kingdom of heaven [12].

Beyond parables, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of setting an "example." Christ himself is presented as an example (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15) [2]. Pastors are also called to be examples to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3) [2]. Paul, for instance, provided an example by working for his own food, demonstrating diligence [13]. The experiences of the Jews served as a warning example (Heb. 4:11), and the prophets provided an example of enduring affliction (James 5:10) [2]. These instances underscore the power of concrete illustrations and lived experiences in teaching.

The use of stories and examples in preaching serves several purposes:

Theological commentators have noted the depth and purpose behind these narrative forms. Augustine, for instance, observed that while the devil does not "beget" in the same way God does, those who imitate the devil become his children through imitation, not birth, highlighting the power of example and influence [8]. The concept of sin itself is often explained through examples, from the "flattering lies" that beguiled Eve [9] to the "insolent or arrogant attitude" of deliberate sin [10]. Even God's anger is understood not as an emotional outburst but as a "necessary response to sin," often depicted through historical examples in the Old Testament [11].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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).”
  3. Hosea “I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables. -- Hosea 12:10”
  4. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 12:9 (YLT) — And further, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge, and gave ear, and sought out--he made right many similes.”
  5. Mark “With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. -- Mark 4:33”
  6. 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”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
  8. 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”
  9. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  11. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  12. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:3: And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, &c.--These parables are SEVEN in number; and it is not a little remarkable that while this is the sacred number, the first FOUR of them were spoken to the mixed multitude, while the remaining THREE were spoken to the Twelve in private--these divisions, four and three, being themselves notable in the symbolical arithmetic of Scripture. Another thing remarkable in the structure of these parables is, that while the first of the Seven--that of the Sower--is of the nature of an Introduction to the who”
  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).”
  14. Hosea (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hosea 12:10: I have also spoken to the prophets,.... Or, "I will speak" (b); for this respects not the Lord's speaking by the prophets of the Old Testament who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; though all they said were for the use of, and profitable unto, Christian churches; but his speaking by the apostles, prophets, and teachers, under the Gospel dispensation; by whom the doctrines of grace have been more clearly dispensed, and which are no other than the voice of Christ speaking in them; and which it is both a privilege to hear, and a duty to attend unto; see Eph 4:1”
  15. Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 13:24: In these verses, we have, I. Another reason given why Christ preached by parables, Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35. All these things he spoke in parables, because the time was not yet come for the more clear and plain discoveries of the mysteries of the kingdom. Christ, to keep the people attending and expecting, preached in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them; namely, at this time and in this sermon. Note, Christ tries all ways and methods to do good to the souls of men, and to make impressions upon them; if men will not be instructed and influenced by ”
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