Pentecostal/Charismatic Illustrations
Spirit baptism, spiritual gifts, experiential faith.
Key question: “How does the Holy Spirit empower believers through this text?”
14789 illustrations found
Scriptural Insight: Peace - Reflection
When Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7 that "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline," he is inviting us into a profound reality of transformation. The Greek word...
Lessons from Righteousness - Contemporary Example
A few months ago, I met a woman named Sarah in our community. She had faced unimaginable challenges—battling addiction for years, losing her job, and feeling utterly lost. One evening, as she sat alone in her small apartment, she opened...
When Folly Meets Real Life
In our fast-paced, ever-changing world, we often find ourselves navigating the tumultuous waters of Folly—those moments of poor judgment, misguided choices, and the allure of what seems easier or more appealing. Picture for a moment a young man named Ethan,...
Morning Meditation: Understanding - Biblical Insight
As the dawn breaks and light spills into our lives, we find ourselves in the stillness of morning, where God invites us to pause and reflect on His presence. Psalm 46:10 beckons us, “Be still, and know that I am...
Lessons from Joy - Story
There once was a young woman named Sarah who found herself in the depths of despair. She had lost her job, her relationships felt strained, and the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on her heart. One evening, as she sat...
The Power of Gentleness - Contemporary Example
There’s a beautiful story that unfolded in a small town not too long ago. A local church was celebrating its annual community picnic, an event meant to unite families and strengthen relationships. As laughter and joy filled the air, a...
Arrival: Love as the Universal Language - Missional (1 Corinthians 13)
In the film *Arrival*, we meet linguist Louise Banks, played with profound depth by Amy Adams. As she navigates the intricate, alien language that bends the very fabric of time and thought, we witness a striking revelation about love and...
The Power of Mercy - Quote
There was a small church in a tight-knit community that had endured a devastating loss when their beloved pastor passed away unexpectedly. The church felt like a ship lost at sea, with waves of grief crashing upon them. But in...
Real-World Righteousness - Teaching Material
When we look at 2 Timothy 1:7, we find a powerful reminder that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” This verse serves as a cornerstone for understanding our call...
Lessons from Righteousness - Contemporary Example
As I sat in a small coffee shop last week, I noticed a young man named Daniel at a corner table, his head buried in a thick book. His coffee lay forgotten, steam rising, as he flipped page after page...
The Meaning of Wisdom - Commentary
Wisdom is often misunderstood as merely the accumulation of knowledge or experience. Yet, Hebrews 11:1 invites us to a deeper understanding. It reveals that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Here, wisdom...
Finding God in Economic Inequality & Generosity
In a small town not far from here, there lived a woman named Ruth. Ruth was a single mother, working two jobs just to keep food on the table for her two little boys. Every week, she would walk through...
The Example of Goodness - Story
Rachel had always been the heart of our small community. Every Sunday, she prepared a meal after service, inviting anyone who needed a place to belong. Her kitchen was filled with the smell of homemade bread and simmering soup, but...
The Doctrine of Self-control - Church Context
As we reflect on the doctrine of self-control within our church context, we find a profound connection to Jesus' commission in Matthew 28:19-20. Here, Jesus invites us to "make disciples of all nations," a call that encompasses growth not only...
Practical Redemption - Teaching Material
“Be still, and know that I am God.” This simple yet profound command in Psalm 46:10 invites us into a space of profound trust and surrender. Imagine, for a moment, a father teaching his child how to ride a bike....
The Missionary's One Verse - Missional (John 3:16)
When missionary John Paton arrived in the New Hebrides in the 1850s, the indigenous language had no word for "believe" or "trust." For years, he searched for how to translate John 3:16. One day, exhau
Hudson Taylor's Impossible Mission - Missional (Philippians 4:13)
When Hudson Taylor felt called to inland China in the 1850s, everyone said it was impossible. No Western missionaries had penetrated the interior; the dangers were extreme. Taylor's health was frail;
Amy Carmichael's 55 Years - Missional (Isaiah 40:31)
Amy Carmichael served in India for 55 years—without a single furlough. She rescued children from temple prostitution, faced constant opposition, suffered a crippling injury at 64, and spent her final
The Universal Offer - Missional (Ephesians 2:8-9)
If salvation were by works, missionaries would only approach the moral. But grace changes the math: "not by works" means ANYONE can receive it. The addict in the slum and the respected elder are equal
David Livingstone's Unexpected Paths - Missional (Proverbs 3:5-6)
David Livingstone went to Africa planning to be a traditional missionary—preaching, planting churches. Instead, God led him into exploration, opening the continent to future missionaries. He spent yea
The Missionary's Transformed Mind - Missional (Romans 12:1-2)
When a Western missionary first arrived in rural India, everything seemed backward—the pace, the values, the social patterns. Her mind, shaped by American culture, kept judging. Then Romans 12:2 confr
The Moravians' 100-Year Prayer - Missional (Matthew 28:18-20)
In 1727, the Moravian community at Herrnhut began a prayer meeting that continued 24/7 for over 100 years. From that prayer came missionaries—the first Protestant missionaries to slaves in the Caribbe
Contemplating Forgiveness
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Forgiveness in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Forgiveness. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage...
Daily Global Pandemic & Community
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Global Pandemic & Community in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Proverbs 31:8-9. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Global Pandemic & Community. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God m...