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Using Storytelling and Example-Giving to Point to Scripture

Storytelling and example-giving are integral methods for communicating biblical truth, reflecting practices found within Scripture itself. The Bible frequently employs narratives, parables, and illustrations to convey spiritual lessons and point to deeper scriptural principles.

The term "parable" in Greek, parabole, signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or similitude used to illustrate one subject by another [1]. This method was not limited to the New Testament; it also applied to proverbs, prophetic utterances, and enigmatic maxims in the Old Testament [1]. For instance, Psalm 78:2 states, "I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music" [4]. The psalmist recounts Israel's history in a parable to impart wisdom and insight, a practice Jesus later referenced to explain his own use of parables [10]. The telling of such stories was intended to motivate God's people to obey His commands [13].

Jesus frequently used parables to teach, drawing on everyday experiences to illustrate profound spiritual truths. His parables often served to reveal the nature of the kingdom of God, the character of God, and the responsibilities of His followers. The Gospel of Mark, for example, is traditionally understood to derive much of its information from the discourses of Peter, who would have been a direct witness to Jesus's teaching methods [3].

Beyond parables, the biblical authors often used examples to underscore theological points. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, extensively uses the concept of universal sinfulness, arguing that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin's power" [9]. He supports his arguments by quoting Old Testament passages, such as Psalm 32:1-2, to illustrate the concept of God clearing a record of sin [11]. This method of linking seemingly unrelated quotations with a key word was a Jewish exegetical technique [11].

The Old Testament itself is replete with narratives that serve as examples. The story of Adam and Eve's disobedience in Genesis 3, where Eve was "beguiled" by flattering lies, is presented not merely as a historical event but as an example of self-love, dishonor to God, and ingratitude [7]. Similarly, the Psalms speak of all human beings being "born sinners" (Psalm 51:5), contrasting the wicked who indulge their sinful nature with the godly who fight against it [5]. The concept of sin is further elaborated through examples of "vanity" or "sinful acts" [6], and "deliberate sins" committed with an "insolent or arrogant attitude" [8].

The Scriptures are described as "given by inspiration of God" and "breathed out by God's own speech" [2, 12]. This divine origin ensures their effectiveness in providing wisdom for salvation and guidance for living [12]. The use of storytelling and examples within these divinely inspired texts demonstrates that these are not merely human literary devices but are integral to God's chosen method of revealing truth. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [2].

The effectiveness of storytelling and example-giving lies in their ability to make abstract theological concepts tangible and relatable. By presenting truth through narrative, the biblical authors and Jesus himself engaged their audiences in a way that mere propositional statements might not achieve. This approach allows for a deeper understanding and application of divine principles, making the "word of God" (Luke 11:28) accessible and impactful [2].

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. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  3. 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”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 49:4 (BBE) — I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.”
  5. 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).”
  6. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  7. 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.”
  8. 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).”
  9. 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”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 78:2: 78:2 The psalmist recites Israel’s story (78:5-72) in a parable in order to teach wisdom and insight. • Jesus quoted this verse to explain why he taught in parables (Matt 13:35).”
  11. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 4:7: 4:7-8 This quotation from Ps 32:1-2 follows the Jewish custom of supporting a reference to the Law with a reference in the Prophets or the Writings. Paul also uses a Jewish exegetical technique of linking unrelated quotations with a key word. Here, record . . . has cleared translates the same Greek word as “counted” in Rom 4:3.”
  12. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 78:5: 78:5-6 The telling of the story should motivate God’s people to obey what he commanded (Deut 6:4-9).”
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