The Statistics: How Jesus Used Numbers to Back Up His Claims

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

The very hairs on your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:30, NLT)

A Word For Writers

Statistics can get a bad rap in church – and with cause. When attendance is low we hear, “Numbers don’t matter.” Because clearly, it’s people and their hearts that matter to Jesus. 

Yet in scripture, statistics make that same point – using numbers. 

For instance, Jesus talked about 99 safe sheep and one that wandered away. He described a woman’s ten silver coins and one that was lost (Luke 15). In one of his first teaching sessions with the disciples, Jesus used numbers to demonstrate their individual value to God. “The very hairs on your head are all numbered,” He told them (Matthew 10:30, NLT).

Jesus used numbers because they are concrete and specific. 

Writers, too, use statistics as a powerful persuasive writing tool. Gathered in surveys, polls, censuses, and studies, statistics are then organized, analyzed, and reported. You can use them to build an argument, prove a statement, or support an idea. Statistics give your reader evidence to back up your claims.

They are concrete and specific … just like the number of hairs counted on your head. 

That’s why Jesus used them. And it’s why you should, too.

A Wise Word

Statistics are a persuasive writing tool.

A Word To Pray

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of numbers. You use them to reinforce principles in your Word. Show me how to use statistics and numbers in my writing to make my point stronger.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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