Wesleyan/Methodist Illustrations
Entire sanctification, social holiness, prevenient grace.
Key question: “How does this text call us toward holiness and compassion?”
14918 illustrations found
Genesis 41:9-36 - Black Church Perspective
In the Black Church tradition, Genesis 41:9-36 is seen as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty and providential care for His people, especially during times of oppression and uncertainty. The story of Joseph's rise from prison to prominence serves as a reminder that God can transform suffering into deliverance, emphasizing hope in liberation through divine intervention.
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Acts 1:6-11
We read this passage as a call to active witness in the world, empowered by the Spirit of God. The disciples, like our ancestors, yearned for deliverance and asked the resurrected Jesus about the restoration of the kingdom. Jesus responds not with a timeline but with the promise of the Holy Spirit's
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Leviticus 19:34
We read Leviticus 19:34 as a divine mandate to embrace and love the stranger as one of our own, recognizing the historical and ongoing marginalization of Black people in America. This passage speaks directly to our experience, reminding us that God calls us to extend the same justice and hospitality
Living Out Love - Teaching Material
As we reflect on Hebrews 11:1, which tells us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” we find ourselves challenged to embody this faith through acts of love in our everyday lives....
The Power of Courage - Contemporary Example
In a small town, there lived a woman named Clara who had spent her life caring for others. She was known for her kindness, but there was one thing that gnawed at her spirit: she had never fully embraced the...
Biblical Truth: Grace - Commentary
Jesus boldly proclaims in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” This profound statement reveals not only the essence of who Christ is but also the foundational truth of our faith. In a time when...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Luke 12:22-34
We read this passage as a profound call to trust in God's providence amidst the struggles and injustices we face. Jesus calls us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat or wear, because God, who delivered us from slavery and oppression, will provide for His people. This is a message of libera
The Power of Gentleness - Story
In a small town, there lived an elderly woman named Ruth. She had a garden that was the envy of all, bursting with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. Yet, Ruth’s secret to her garden's beauty wasn’t just her green thumb;...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Acts 2:44-45
We read Acts 2:44-45 as a vivid demonstration of the beloved community, where believers shared everything in common, reflecting God's liberative action in history. This passage is a testament to the Spirit's power to create a community of justice and equity, embodying the freedom we find in Christ.
When Wisdom - Story
There was a small, quaint cafe in my hometown where the owner, Mrs. Thompson, was known not just for her delicious pies but for the way she listened. One day, a weary young woman named Sarah entered, her heart heavy...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Deuteronomy 10:12-22
In Deuteronomy 10:12-22, we read this passage as a divine call to justice and community responsibility. God commands us to 'serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,' which we understand as a mandate for holistic liberation. The text reminds us of the 'mighty acts' God perf
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 2:1-12
We read Psalm 2 as a declaration of God's ultimate authority against the oppressive systems and rulers of this world. It echoes the cries for deliverance and justice that resound through our history. We see in the nations' rebellion a reflection of the systems that have sought to dehumanize and oppr
Genesis 29:1-14 - Black Church Perspective
In the Black Church tradition, Genesis 29:1-14 is seen as a powerful narrative of community, kinship, and divine providence. This passage emphasizes God's presence in the lives of ordinary people and highlights the importance of relationships, both familial and communal, as integral to the faith journey.
Genesis 2:18-25 - Black Church Perspective
In the Black Church tradition, Genesis 2:18-25 is understood as a profound affirmation of human community and relationality. This passage highlights the sacredness of companionship as a divine response to loneliness, emphasizing that God’s creation is incomplete without relationships that reflect the love and unity found in the Trinity.
Real-World Humility - Contemporary Example
Imagine a small community garden, tended by a diverse group of neighbors. Each week, they gather not just to plant seeds, but to share their lives. There’s an elderly widow who brings homemade cookies, a single mother who shares stories...
Scripture Study: Black Church Tradition Lens Interpretation Methods
The words of Romans 8:28 resonate deeply within the heart of the Black Church tradition, a tradition that has long celebrated resilience in the face of adversity. This verse, which declares that “all things work together for good for those...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 4:1-8
We read Psalm 4:1-8 as a cry for deliverance and a proclamation of God's faithfulness in the midst of trial. This passage resonates with our historical experience of crying out to God from places of oppression, knowing that God hears us. We see in this text the assurance that the God who heard Israe
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 8:1-9
We read Psalm 8 as a celebration of God's majestic creation and the dignity bestowed upon humanity. This passage affirms that all people, including those historically dehumanized, are crowned with glory and honor. Our reading emphasizes that the God who created the heavens and the earth also hears t
Lessons from Gentleness - Biblical Analogy
A few years ago, I found myself in a garden, watching a novice gardener attempt to tend to his struggling plants. With each weed he pulled, I could see his frustration grow. The thorns and brambles seemed relentless, and he...
Applying Kindness - Illustration
Consider a group of friends who gather every Saturday morning for a community breakfast. Each week, they take turns cooking and sharing a meal together. One Saturday, Sarah, a single mother working two jobs, shows up looking weary and stressed....
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 53:1-6
We read Psalm 53 as a powerful reminder of the folly of denying God's presence and justice in the world. This Psalm speaks to the reality of systemic sin and the brokenness of a world that often operates as if God does not see or care. But we declare that God is indeed present, hearing the cries of
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 43:1-5
We read Psalm 43 as a cry for justice and vindication in the face of oppression and deceit. This passage speaks to us as a community who knows the pain of being wrongfully accused and marginalized. The psalmist's plea for deliverance is our plea — for a God who will bring truth and light into our st
Living Out Redemption - Teaching Material
Faith is not merely a distant belief; it is the conviction of things hoped for, as we see in Hebrews 11:1. It is the assurance that what we cannot see is just as real and assured as the air we...
When Faithfulness - Contemporary Example
In the small town of Maplewood, a woman named Clara became known as the “light at the end of the tunnel” for many who passed through dark seasons of life. A retired schoolteacher, she spent her days volunteering at the...