One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:...
—Luke 8:4 NLT
Jesus used stories to help drive home his message, to plant seeds to help people remember divine truths, and to help give his hearers insights. Stories provide a potent part of the Master's ministry. Stories are powerful and stick in our hearts. Much of the Bible was written in the language of a story, including a huge portion of the New Testament with the four gospels telling the story of Jesus' earthly ministry and with the book of Acts telling the story of the Spirit's ministry through the early church. One of the great ways for you to gain a firm grasp of the New Testament, or even the whole Bible, is to keep a notebook with a list of the Bible's stories in it, the references where they can be found, and a one sentence summary of the lesson each story teaches. Since Jesus used stories to communicate God's truth, let's learn those stories and let them come to life in us!
Father, thank you that the Bible tells the story of your love and grace. Thank you that Jesus used stories to communicate many of your truths. Please help me to learn these stories and have the Holy Spirit open my mind and heart to understand and apply them to my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 8:4 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus used stories to help drive home his message, to plant seeds to help people remember divine truths, and to help give his hearers insights. Stories provide a potent part of the Master's ministry. Stories are powerful and stick in our hearts. Much of the Bible was written in the language of a story, including a huge portion of the New Testament with the four gospels telling the story of Jesus' earthly ministry and with the book of Acts telling the story of the Spirit's ministry through the early church. One of the great ways for you to gain a firm grasp of the New Testament, or even the whole Bible, is to keep a notebook with a list of the Bible's stories in it, the references where they can be found, and a one sentence summary of the lesson each story teaches. Since Jesus used stories to communicate God's truth, let's learn those stories and let them come to life in us!
Today's Prayer
Father, thank you that the Bible tells the story of your love and grace. Thank you that Jesus used stories to communicate many of your truths. Please help me to learn these stories and have the Holy Spirit open my mind and heart to understand and apply them to my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...