Wesleyan/Methodist Illustrations
Entire sanctification, social holiness, prevenient grace.
Key question: “How does this text call us toward holiness and compassion?”
14918 illustrations found
Lessons from Goodness - Story
A few months ago, I attended a community gathering at a local park. It was a beautiful summer day, the sun shining brightly as families spread out their picnic blankets, laughter mingling with the sweet aroma of barbecues. As I...
A Story of Patience - Story
A few years ago, I met a woman named Clara who lived in our community. Clara had a passion for gardening, spending countless hours nurturing her beloved flower beds. But her garden didn’t always bloom beautifully. One spring, she planted...
Morning Meditation: Self-control - Biblical Insight
As the sun breaks over the horizon each morning, casting warm rays that dance on dew-kissed grass, I am reminded of the gentle power of *self-control*—a fruit of the Spirit that often flourishes in the quiet moments of our day....
Quiet Time: Faithfulness - Story
As we reflect on Psalm 23:1-6, I’m reminded of a simple yet profound moment in my own life, a moment that illustrates the faithfulness of our Shepherd. One afternoon, I sat on my porch, the air filled with the scent...
Spiritual Insight: Compassion - Biblical Insight
Imagine a quiet afternoon, perhaps a sunny Sunday, where the world seems to slow down just for a moment. You sit with a warm cup of coffee, the steam rising like prayers toward heaven. It’s in this sacred stillness that...
Morning Meditation: Righteousness - Biblical Insight
Imagine waking up on a rainy morning, the kind where the clouds seem heavy, and the world feels a bit gray. As you sip your coffee, the silence of the house is punctuated only by the soft patter of raindrops...
Understanding Gentleness - Application
Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This assurance is a gentle reminder of the eternal nature of our God and His promises. Gentleness, in this context, is...
When Joy - Story
There’s a small, vibrant community garden nestled in the heart of our town. Each spring, neighbors gather to plant seeds, share stories, and water their dreams together. One year, amidst the flourishing plants, a young woman named Sarah joined the...
Real-World Humility - Illustration
Consider the image of a young child learning to ride a bike. At first, they wobble and fall, their little knees bruised but their spirit undeterred. It’s a humbling experience, isn’t it? Yet, it is precisely in that vulnerability that...
When Joy - Contemporary Example
There’s a little coffee shop in my town, a place where the scent of roasted beans fills the air and laughter bounces off the walls. One day, as I sat enjoying my brew, I noticed a young woman at a...
Reflecting on Faith - Teaching Material
Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This powerful promise is...
A Story of Humility - Story
In a small village nestled between rolling hills, there lived a humble potter named Eli. Known for his delicate craftsmanship, Eli poured his heart into shaping each piece of clay, but it was the bowls he created that told the...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 11:1-7
We read Psalm 11 as an affirmation of God's unwavering faithfulness and justice in the face of oppression. The text begins with a declaration of trust in the Lord, even when the foundations of society seem to crumble — a reality our community knows all too well. In this passage, the Lord's oversight
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 2:4-10
We read 1 Peter 2:4-10 as an affirmation of our identity as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. This passage speaks directly to our historical experience of marginalization and dehumanization, affirming that God has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. It reminds u
Evening Prayer: Faithfulness - Prayer
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the sky, there’s a quiet invitation for us to pause and reflect. In this sacred evening moment, we find ourselves in the embrace of Philippians 4:13: “I...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 3:1-8
We read Psalm 3 as a cry for deliverance from oppression, a sacred lament that resonates deeply with our historical and ongoing struggles. This psalm reflects the experience of being surrounded by enemies and yet finding refuge in the Lord, much like our ancestors who found strength in God amidst th
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 21:1-14
We read this passage as a powerful revelation of Jesus who meets His disciples in their ordinary struggles and transforms their reality. This is a story of divine provision and communal restoration. The disciples, weary from fruitless labor, experience the liberating presence of Jesus who fills thei
Spiritual Insight: Redemption - Biblical Insight
As we gather this morning, let's reflect on Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make...
Evening Prayer: Compassion - Prayer
As the sun sets and the world begins to quiet, it’s a perfect time for evening prayer—a sacred space to reflect on our day and the compassionate call Christ has placed on our hearts. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands us...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 6:1-15
We read this passage as a demonstration of Jesus' liberating power and a testament to God's provision for the oppressed. The miracle of feeding the 5,000 is not just about physical bread but about God's ability to meet the needs of marginalized communities. In this story, Jesus sees the hunger of th
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 2:1-11
We read this passage as a sign of God's abundant grace and transformative power that breaks into the mundane realities of life. In John 2:1-11, Jesus turns water into wine, embodying the liberating God who transforms scarcity into abundance. This miracle whispers of God's deliverance, a theme resona
The Example of Courage - Biblical Analogy
There was a time, not long ago, when a small community faced a devastating storm. For days, the sky roared with thunder, and relentless rain battered their homes. Among them was an elderly woman named Ruth, known for her unwavering...
When Understanding - Contemporary Example
In a quaint little town, there lived a woman named Clara, known for her radiant joy. Despite facing life's challenges—loss, illness, and uncertainty—Clara seemed to embody the promise found in Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 4:1-4
We read John 4:1-4 as a testament to Jesus' intentional crossing of societal boundaries, embodying liberation and reconciliation. Jesus' journey through Samaria, a region despised by the Jews, signifies God's movement toward breaking down entrenched barriers of race, ethnicity, and social division.