Wesleyan/Methodist Illustrations
Entire sanctification, social holiness, prevenient grace.
Key question: “How does this text call us toward holiness and compassion?”
14918 illustrations found
Evening Prayer: Gentleness - Story
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the evening sky, I find peace in the gentle rhythms of life. It reminds me of the soft touch of a hand on my shoulder, a reassuring gesture...
A Story of Hope - Story
A few years ago, I met a woman named Clara at our local food pantry. Clara was in her fifties, and life had dealt her a series of harsh blows. She had lost her job, her marriage had ended, and...
When Redemption - Story
There was a woman named Clara who lived in a small town, known for her radiant smile and unwavering faith. Yet, beneath her cheerful exterior lay a heart burdened by loss and disappointment. She had faced deep challenges—her husband’s unexpected...
Morning Meditation: Compassion - Story
As I stood in my kitchen one early morning, the sun began to spill golden light across the counter, illuminating the humble pile of dishes waiting to be washed. I was lost in thought when my eight-year-old daughter, with a...
Evening Prayer: Compassion - Story
As the sun begins to set, casting a warm golden hue over the neighborhood, let's pause for a moment and consider what it means to live out the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus calls us to go and...
Quiet Time: Grace - Biblical Insight
As we pause to reflect on God's incredible grace, let’s turn our hearts to Jeremiah 29:11, where the Lord lovingly proclaims, “For I know the plans I have for you.” What a profound assurance! Imagine for a moment a master...
Spiritual Insight: Mercy - Story
Imagine a small, humble bakery nestled in the heart of a bustling town. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the streets, drawing people in from all walks of life. Among the regulars is an elderly man named Mr....
Evening Prayer: Gentleness - Biblical Insight
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting golden hues across the sky, I find myself reflecting on Psalm 23:1-6, a tender reminder of God’s gentleness and provision. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." In the quiet...
Daily Reflection: Forgiveness - Story
Forgiveness is a story written in the ink of grace, a narrative we continually craft with each choice we make. Picture a small, weathered bridge crossing a tranquil stream. With every step across that bridge, we feel the cool breeze...
Understanding Gentleness - Reflection
As we reflect on Hebrews 11:1, we encounter a profound definition of faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This verse invites us into an understanding of gentleness that transcends mere...
Applying Courage - Illustration
As we reflect on Hebrews 11:1, we are reminded that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This beautiful declaration calls us to embrace courage in our service to God and one another....
A Story of Kindness - Story
Lydia was known in her small town as a woman of quiet strength. Every week, she opened her home to those in need, always welcoming with a warm smile and a plate of fresh-baked bread. Her kindness was not just...
The Power of Humility - Contemporary Example
In a small town, there lived a man named David, a humble janitor at the local community center. Despite his position, David radiated warmth and kindness. Each day, he would arrive early, not just to clean but to set the...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
We read this passage as a call to equitable sharing and communal responsibility, rooted in our understanding of God's justice and deliverance. Paul reminds us that God's provision, as in the Exodus, is meant to ensure that no one has too much while others have too little. We embrace this as a divine
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruit of the Spirit)
We read Galatians 5:22-23 as a call to embody the fruits of the Spirit within our struggle for liberation and justice. These virtues are not passive qualities but active forces of transformation in both personal and communal life. In our tradition, love, joy, and peace are not just spiritual ideals
Theology of Humility - Commentary
Philippians 4:13 vibrantly declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This powerful affirmation stands as a cornerstone for understanding the theology of humility within the journey of sanctification. To grasp its significance, we must first recognize...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: James 2:14-26
We read this passage as a clarion call to active faith that aligns with God's liberating purposes. James 2:14-26 challenges us to see faith not as mere intellectual assent but as a lived commitment to justice and solidarity with the oppressed. In our tradition, faith is never passive; it manifests i
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 46:8-11
We read Psalm 46:8-11 as a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and a call to witness God's deliverance for the oppressed. This passage is a reminder that the God who made desolations on the earth is the same God who takes down systems of oppression, breaks the chains of injustice, and brings p
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 2:1-11
We read Romans 2:1-11 as a call to recognize the impartial justice of God, who sees beyond human pretense and judges according to truth. In our tradition, this passage speaks to the reality that God does not show favoritism — a powerful reminder for a people who have been discriminated against based
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 7:14-25
In Exodus 7:14-25, we read this passage as a powerful demonstration of God's commitment to liberate the oppressed. The turning of the Nile into blood is not just a miraculous act; it is a direct challenge to Pharaoh's oppressive regime and a sign of God's power to overturn systems of injustice. We s
Theology of Humility - Application
The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:13, declares with fervor, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This profound statement is often appropriated as a rallying cry for personal success, yet it beckons us to a deeper understanding...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Job 38:1-7
We read this passage as a powerful reminder that God speaks directly into the whirlwind of our lives, affirming that divine sovereignty and wisdom are not abstract concepts but intimately involved in our struggles. In Job 38:1-7, we see God addressing Job from the storm, a fitting image for a people
Quiet Time: Grace - Story
Imagine a small, serene garden, tucked away behind a weathered wooden fence. Each morning, the sunlight filters through the leaves, casting gentle shadows on the earth below. This garden, cultivated over time, is not just a patch of land; it...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 6:1-11
We read Romans 6:1-11 as a powerful declaration of the transformative power of God's deliverance through Jesus Christ. This passage speaks to the death of our old lives of sin and our resurrection into new life, a truth echoed in the lived experience of our community. We interpret this as a call to