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What is the doctrine of small things?

Answered by Gene Cunningham, Basic Training Bible Ministries · from The Basics

God can use anything we give Him to accomplish His purpose, and He especially delights in using small things (Zech. 4:10).

Examples of small things God has used include a shepherd's rod (Exodus 4:2), the jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:15), five smooth stones (1 Samuel 17:40), a handful of meal (1 Kings 17:12), a little jar of oil (2 Kings 4:2), a small cloud (1 Kings 18:44), a little man (Luke 19:1–10), a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31–32), and five loaves and two fishes (John 6:9).

Additionally, failure in small things indicates an urgent need to build strength, otherwise, there will be failure in the great things (Jer. 12:5).

Also asked: What are examples of small things God has used in the Bible?
Also asked, more loosely
What do failures in seemingly minor matters indicate about our spiritual condition and future endeavors? · How does God view and use everyday, insignificant objects for His purposes?

Source: The Basics The Basics -- Subject Index entry 'Small things' (printed pp. 128, 219) · Read this lesson in the book →

What this answer is about

The subjects this answer names in its own words. Where the record names that subject itself, it is shown in bold.

MatthewSmall things

Related questions

Scripture this answer rests on

Scripture the book prints on the pages this answer was drawn from. The passages printed closest to it are shown, in Bible order.

1 Samuel 17:40What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
1 Kings 17:12What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
1 Kings 18:44What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
Exodus 4:2What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
Judges 15:15What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
Also printed on these pages
Zechariah 4:10What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
2 Corinthians 4:8-10What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
2 Kings 4:2What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
Matthew 13:31-32What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
Luke 19:1-10What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219
John 6:9What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.219

Where this is taught in the book

Closest first: the pages where the book treats this subject most directly.

Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit

p.219p.213

Lesson 3–1: The Race—The Christian Life

p.128

Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion

p.130p.133p.134p.135

Lesson 3–3: The Promise—Spirituality

p.144p.148

Lesson 3–4: The Climb—Spiritual Growth

p.154p.156p.157

More pages teach this. The Source line above carries the full citation and opens the book.

Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.