Motivation
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The Parable of the Mustard Seed
1. Title of the Parable The Parable of the Mustard Seed 2. Scripture Reference(s) 3. Thematic Category Kingdom of God / Heaven; Small Beginnings and Great Expansion; Divine Sovereignty 4. Parable Summary Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed — a seed known for its minute size yet significant growth. Though the…
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1.1 God’s Plan Was Different but Greater
1. God’s Nature and Ways 🔹 Story 1: Abraham Expecting a Normal Son Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, IsaacStory Summary: Abraham and Sarah waited years for a child. They assumed the promise would be fulfilled through human means, even trying to help it along through Hagar. But God gave them Isaac—born miraculously in old age.Key Verses:…
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1.2 Unexpected but Better
🔹 Story 1: David Anointed King Instead of His Brothers Main Characters: David, Samuel, Jesse, David’s brothersStory Summary: When Samuel came to anoint a new king, he expected to choose one of Jesse’s older, stronger sons. But God chose David, the youngest shepherd boy—unexpected, but a man after His own heart.Key Verses: 1 Samuel 16:1–13Theme…
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1.3 From Evil to Good
🔹 Story 1: Joseph’s Betrayal Became Egypt’s Salvation Main Characters: Joseph, his brothers, PharaohStory Summary: Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, wrongly imprisoned, and forgotten. Yet God raised him up to save Egypt and surrounding nations during a great famine.Key Verses: Genesis 37; 39–50Theme Connection: What his brothers meant for evil, God…
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1.4 God’s Promises Took Time but Were Fulfilled
🔹 Story 1: Abraham and Sarah Waited for Isaac Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, IsaacStory Summary: God promised Abraham a son, but the fulfilment didn’t come until decades later—long after they were past childbearing age. Isaac was born exactly as God had said.Key Verses: Genesis 12:1–4; 17:15–21; 21:1–7Theme Connection: God’s promise seemed delayed, but it arrived…
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1.5 Late but Better
🔹 Story 1: Abraham and Sarah Had Isaac in Old Age Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, IsaacStory Summary: God promised a son, but Abraham and Sarah waited for decades. When Isaac was finally born in their old age, it was clearly a miracle, not human effort.Key Verses: Genesis 17:15–21; 21:1–7Theme Connection: The delay magnified God’s power—what…
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1.6 God Provides in Unexpected Ways
🔹 Story 1: Manna and Quail in the Wilderness Main Characters: Moses, Israelites, GodStory Summary: As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness with no food, God provided bread from heaven (manna) every morning and quail in the evening—something they had never seen before.Key Verses: Exodus 16:1–36Theme Connection: God provided in a new and miraculous way,…
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1.11 Stories of God Working Through Conflict
🔹 Story 1: Joseph’s Family Conflict Led to National Salvation Main Characters: Joseph, his brothers, PharaohStory Summary: Joseph’s brothers sold him out of jealousy, creating deep family conflict. But through the betrayal, God positioned Joseph to save Egypt and Israel from famine.Key Verses: Genesis 37; 39–50Theme Connection: Family strife became the pathway to regional provision…
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1.12 Stories of Divine Order and Instruction
🔹 Story 1: Creation and God’s Ordered Design Main Characters: God, Adam, EveStory Summary: In six days, God created the universe with structure and sequence—light, land, vegetation, animals, and humans—each according to His divine plan.Key Verses: Genesis 1–2Theme Connection: God’s nature is orderly; creation reflects His wisdom, precision, and purpose. 🔹 Story 2: Noah’s Instructions…
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1.15 Second Chances
🔹 Story 1: Peter Denied Jesus but Was RestoredMain Characters: Peter, JesusStory Summary: Peter denied Jesus three times during His trial. After the resurrection, Jesus personally restored him and reaffirmed his calling to lead and feed His flock.Key Verses: Luke 22:54–62; John 21:15–19Theme Connection: Peter’s failure did not disqualify him—Jesus gave him a second chance…
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2.4 Faith Over Fear
🔹 Story 1: David Faced Goliath with Confidence in God Main Characters: David, Goliath, Saul, Israelites, PhilistinesStory Summary: While Israel’s army trembled before Goliath, David—just a young shepherd—boldly stepped forward in faith, trusting God to give victory. With a sling and a stone, he defeated the giant.Key Verses: 1 Samuel 17Theme Connection: David overcame fear…
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2.5 Faith in the Impossible
🔹 Story 1: Abraham and Sarah Believed for a Child in Old Age Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, GodStory Summary: Though well beyond childbearing years, Abraham and Sarah believed God’s promise for a son. Despite their doubts, Isaac was miraculously born.Key Verses: Genesis 18:9–15; 21:1–7; Romans 4:18–21Theme Connection: Their faith held onto God’s word when…
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2.6 What Looked Like Failure but Became Victory
🔹 Story 1: Jesus’ Crucifixion Led to Resurrection Main Characters: Jesus, disciples, religious leadersStory Summary: Jesus’ death on the cross appeared to be a total defeat. His followers scattered in fear. But on the third day, He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death.Key Verses: Luke 24:18–26; John 19–20Theme Connection: The darkest moment in…
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2.7 Testing and Refining
🔹 Story 1: Abraham Tested with Isaac Main Characters: Abraham, Isaac, GodStory Summary: God asked Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac. Abraham obeyed, and at the last moment, God provided a ram. This test affirmed Abraham’s faith.Key Verses: Genesis 22:1–18Theme Connection: Abraham’s faith was proven through testing, and God refined his trust with blessing.…
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2.8 Faithful but Suffering (Responses)
🔹 Story 1: Job Remained Faithful Amid Suffering Main Characters: Job, Satan, God, Job’s friendsStory Summary: Job was a righteous man who lost his health, wealth, and children in a series of tragedies. Though deeply afflicted, he did not abandon his faith in God.Key Verses: Job 1–2; 19:25–27; 42:10–17Theme Connection: Job’s suffering was not punishment—it…
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2.9 Stories of Waiting on God
🔹 Story 1: Abraham and Sarah Waited for a son Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, GodStory Summary: God promised Abraham a son, but decades passed without fulfilment. In their old age, Isaac was finally born—just as God had said.Key Verses: Genesis 12:1–4; 17:15–21; 21:1–7Theme Connection: Their long wait tested their faith, but God’s timing revealed…
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3.1 God Uses Ordinary People
3. People God Used 🔹 Story 1: David the Shepherd Became King Main Characters: David, Samuel, Jesse, GoliathStory Summary: David was the youngest son of a shepherding family, overlooked even by his own father. But God chose him to defeat Goliath and later to rule Israel.Key Verses: 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 17:32–50Theme Connection: God saw potential…
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3.2 God Chose the Unlikely
🔹 Story 1: David, the Youngest Son, Anointed King Main Characters: David, Samuel, Jesse, David’s brothersStory Summary: When Samuel came to anoint the next king, he assumed it would be one of Jesse’s older sons. But God chose David, the youngest, a humble shepherd boy.Key Verses: 1 Samuel 16:1–13Theme Connection: God doesn’t choose based on…
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3.3 God Chooses the Younger Over the Older
🔹 Story 1: Jacob Chosen Over Esau Main Characters: Jacob, Esau, Isaac, RebekahStory Summary: Though Esau was the firstborn, God chose Jacob to carry on the covenant blessing. Jacob received both the birthright and the blessing, fulfilling God’s sovereign plan.Key Verses: Genesis 25:21–34; 27:1–40; Romans 9:10–13Theme Connection: God’s choice reversed cultural norms, showing His purposes…
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3.4 Small Things, Big Impact
🔹 Story 1: David’s Sling Defeated a Giant Main Characters: David, Goliath, Israelites, PhilistinesStory Summary: While others feared Goliath, David stepped forward with only a sling and five stones. With one small stone and great faith, he struck down the giant.Key Verses: 1 Samuel 17:40–50Theme Connection: God used a simple weapon in the hands of…
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3.5 God Turns Weakness into Strength
🔹 Story 1: Moses’ Speech Problem Became God’s Mouthpiece Main Characters: Moses, God, Aaron, PharaohStory Summary: When God called Moses to lead Israel, Moses protested that he was “slow of speech.” God promised to be with him and speak through him, using even his weakness for deliverance.Key Verses: Exodus 3–4Theme Connection: What Moses saw as…
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3.6 The Power of Humility
🔹 Story 1: Naaman Healed After Humbling Himself Main Characters: Naaman, Elisha, Naaman’s servantsStory Summary: Naaman, a powerful commander with leprosy, initially refused Elisha’s simple instructions to wash in the Jordan River. After humbling himself and obeying, he was healed completely.Key Verses: 2 Kings 5:1–15Theme Connection: Pride delayed his healing, but humility opened the door…
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3.8 Mistakes Became Miracles
🔹 Story 1: Abraham’s Impatience Led to a Covenant Reminder Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, IsaacStory Summary: Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands and had a child (Ishmael) through Hagar. While this caused lasting tension, God still fulfilled His promise through Isaac and used Ishmael to birth a great nation.Key Verses:…
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3.11 Stories of Calling from a Young Age
🔹 Story 1: Samuel Heard God as a Boy Main Characters: Samuel, Eli, GodStory Summary: As a young boy serving in the temple, Samuel heard God call him during the night. Though unfamiliar with God’s voice, he responded in obedience and became a prophet in Israel.Key Verses: 1 Samuel 3:1–21Theme Connection: God doesn’t wait for…
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3.13 Stories of God Using Unlikely Messengers
🔹 Story 1: Balaam’s Donkey Spoke God’s Warning Main Characters: Balaam, donkey, angel of the LordStory Summary: When Balaam stubbornly ignored God’s warnings, God opened the mouth of his donkey to speak and rebuke him. The donkey’s words saved Balaam from destruction.Key Verses: Numbers 22:21–35Theme Connection: God can speak through even the most unexpected vessels…