{
 "id": "basics-canon-small-things",
 "question": "What does the Bible teach about small things and their significance in God's plan?",
 "answer": "The Bible teaches that God delights in using small things to accomplish His purpose. A shepherd's rod, a jawbone of an ass, five smooth stones, a handful of meal, a little jar of oil, a small cloud, a mustard seed, and even five loaves and two fishes are all examples of small things God used for great purposes (Exodus 4:2; Judges 15:15; 1 Samuel 17:40; 1 Kings 17:12; 2 Kings 4:2; 1 Kings 18:44; Matthew 13:31-32; John 6:9). Shamgar had an ox goad, Dorcas had a needle, Rahab had some string, and Mary had some ointment – the question for us is what small thing we have that we will dedicate to God. Anything we give Him can be used by Him (Zech. 4:10), but He especially delights in using small things. Our failure in small things indicates an urgent need to build strength, or we will fail in the great things (Jer. 12:5). The Christian way of life is enjoyable when we follow God's training program, and endurance comes from persistent study of His Word (Psalm 19:5; Psalm 119:32). We must stay in our own lane and pay attention to the course set before us (Prov. 4:12), building faith that will enable us to exchange our strength for His (Isa. 40:31). God's glory is seen through our suffering, which is necessary for Him to display His power – through our weakness (2 Cor. 4:8-10).",
 "url": "/faq/small-things-significance/",
 "unit": 3,
 "lesson": "3-canon",
 "lesson_title": null,
 "question_type": "canonical",
 "tier": 1,
 "faq_class": "doctrine-canonical",
 "aeo_questions": [],
 "topic_anchor": "Small things",
 "derivation": "derived-canonical",
 "source_authority": "authoritative",
 "author": "Gene Cunningham",
 "book": "The Basics",
 "source": {
  "doc_id": "btbm-01-TheBasics-8-10-24",
  "ref": "The Basics — Small things (canonical doctrine)",
  "book_page": [
   128,
   219
  ],
  "segment_id": "the-basics__canon__small-things"
 },
 "scripture": [
  {
   "display": "Isaiah 40:31",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
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  {
   "display": "Jeremiah 12:5",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Corinthians 9:24",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Galatians 5:7",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Hebrews 12:1",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Samuel 17:40",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Kings 17:12",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Kings 18:44",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Psalms 19:5",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Psalms 119:32",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Proverbs 4:12",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    140
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "2 Corinthians 4:8-10",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  }
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Glory",
  "Mary",
  "Matthew",
  "Small things",
  "Suffering",
  "The Christian way of Life"
 ],
 "topics_context": [
  "Grace",
  "Faith-Rest",
  "Power and Holy Spirit",
  "Discernment",
  "Peace",
  "Power"
 ],
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