Fallof2016SideStudy
RussLaGroneDannyCampbell
ParablesofJesus
IntroductionLesson1
OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom
IntroductionParableswereusedasamethodofteachingintheOldTestament,butthenumberofparablestobefoundtheredependsuponone’sdefinitionofaparable.ThemostobviousOldTestamentparableswouldincludeNathan’sstoryofthepoorman’slambinIISamuel12:1-4,thetwoeaglesandthevineofEzekiel17:1-10,andtheprophetJoab’sstory(throughawomanofTekoa)inIISamuel14:1-13.ButthemasterteacherofparableswasclearlyJesusourLord.It’sdifficulttosayhowmanyofhisparablesarerecordedinthefourGospelaccounts,asindividualshaveuseddifferentdefinitionsforwhatconstitutesaparable.Wehaveincludedachartattheendofthislessonthatlists46parablesofJesus.Otherswouldclaimamuchhighernumberastheycountmanyshortillustrations(suchasnewwineskins–Matthew9:17)andmetaphorsofJesus(Iamthebreadoflife,thelightoftheworld,etc)asparables.R.C.TrenchinhisNotesontheParablesofJesuslists30parables.Inthisclasswewillexamine29stories/illustrationsthatweconsidertobeparables,butwedonotregardthisasanexhaustivelist.SeetheScheduleofLessonsattached.BackgroundtotheParablesofJesusOnewaytoconsidertheseparablesistoaskthefollowingquestions:
1. Whotaughttheparablesofourstudy?Wehaveansweredthisinthetitleofourstudy–wewillexaminetheparablesofJesus.
2. Whatisaparable?Thereseemstobegeneralconsensusonthedefinitionofthewordparable(thoughnotnecessarilyonwhatisorisnotaparable).Mostdefinitionsaresimilartothis:“parablefromtheGreek,parabole,whichisfromaverbsignifyingtoputforthonethingbeforeorbesideanother”(fromNotesontheParablesofOurLord–R.C.Trench).Theideabeingthataspiritualmeaningiscastalongsideaneasytounderstandstory.Afamiliarandhelpfulexpressionisthataparableisanearthlystorywithaheavenlymeaning.Wearelookingforteachingthatusesfamiliarillustrationstoconveyamuchdeeperandcomplexspirituallesson.
3. WherewillwefindtheparablesofJesus?AlmostexclusivelyintheGospelaccountsofMatthewandLuke.Lookagainatthechartof46parables.OnlyoneisexclusivelyfoundinMark(Mark4:26-29)andonlyoneislistedatallfromJohn(John10:1-5,7-18).
4. WhendidJesusteachhisparables?Thisisaninterestingpoint–almostallofJesus’parablesweretaughtduringthelastyearofhisthreeyearministry.Eventhesearemostlyinthelatterhalfofthatyear,andmanyarefromthelastweekofhislife.Theyseemtohaveincreasedin
ParablesofJesus
frequencyastheoppositiontoChristbecamemoreintense.Webelievethereisaconnectionbetweenthetimingoftheparablesandtheanswertoournextquestion.
5. WhydidJesusteachinparables?HereweareonsomewhatfirmergroundforhegivesananswertothisquestioninMatthew13:10-13:
10Thenthedisciplescameandsaidtohim,“Whydoyouspeaktotheminparables?”11Andheansweredthem,“Toyouithasbeengiventoknowthesecretsofthekingdomofheaven,buttothemithasnotbeengiven.12Fortotheonewhohas,morewillbegiven,andhewillhaveanabundance,butfromtheonewhohasnot,evenwhathehaswillbetakenaway.13ThisiswhyIspeaktotheminparables,becauseseeingtheydonotsee,andhearingtheydonothear,nordotheyunderstand.
Butthisanswermayraiseevenmorequestions.WhywouldJesus,thegreatteacher,purposefullyuseamethodthatwouldbedifficultformanytounderstand?Basedonthetimingoftheparables,itappearsthatJesuswasintentionallychallenginghislistenersthroughparables,winnowingoutthosewhowerenotdeterminedtofollowhimatanycost.PaulEarnhartinhisbookontheparables,GlimpsesofEternity,explainsthisprocess:
“Jesus’parablesneverappealedmuchtopeoplewhoknewitalready.Theysimplyservedtoputoutthelittlelightthatsuchfolkhad,butthatwasalrightbecausetheLordwasnotcallingthemanyway,andthetimehadcomebythethirdyearofHispublicministrytodriveofftheeternalcritics,thecuriosityseekers,theunthinkinghangers-onwhohadnorealinterestinthekingdomofGod.”
GuidelinesforOurStudyDuringthecourseofourstudywewillpaycloseattentiontothefollowingguidelinesaswestudyeachindividualparable:
1. Wewillexaminethecontextoftheparable.WhydidJesusteachthisparticularparableatthisspecificmoment?Often,theaccountgivesusanexplanation.Forexample,theparableoftheGoodSamaritan(Luke10:25-37)isgiveninresponsetoalawyer’squestion.ThatquestionandthefurtherexchangeofJesusandthelawyerareessentialingraspingthefullmeaningoftheparable.Similarly,thethreeparablesonthingslostinLuke15weretriggeredbycriticismofJesusreceivingandeatingwithsinners(Luke15:1-2).
2. Wewilllookforthemainpointoftheparable.Thoughtheremaybemanysidelessonslearned
fromaparable,generallyspeakingJesushadonemainideathattheparablewasintendedtoconvey.Itisimportanttofocusonthatmainidea.
3. Wewillavoidgettingcaughtupinthedetailsoftheparable.Relatedtotheguidelineabove,itiseasytomisstherealpointthatJesusisteachingwhenwetrytoassignameaningtoeveryaspectoftheparable.SuchanapproachrunscountertothewaythatJesususedparables.
4. Wewillattempttomakeapersonalapplicationfromtheparable.Ratherthanseeingtheparableassolelyrelatedtotheoriginallisteners,wewilllookforpersonallessonsthatcanbelearnedandapplied.ReadourOverallGoalsfortheclassagain.Goals2-4arestatedinrecognitionofthefactthatweshouldmakepersonalapplicationsoftheparableswewillstudy.
KingdomParables–ParableoftheSower
Lesson2OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
IntroductionWebeginwiththeParableoftheSower.Theparableisfoundinthreeaccounts(Matthew13:3-9,Mark4:3-8,andLuke8:5-8).WhilenotthelongestofJesus’parables,itistheoneforwhichhegavethemostdetailedexplanation.Itwasalsothisparablethatpromptedtheapostlestoask,“Whydoyouspeaktotheminparables?”Jesusansweredtheirquestion,andthenproceededtoexplainthemeaningoftheparable;anexplanationthatwillaidusinunderstandingmanyofhisotherparables.1. Context
a. NotethatJesusteachesthisparablearoundtheendofthesecondyearofhisministry.b. DescribethesceneofJesusteachingthisparable:
i. Howisthesizeofthecrowddescribed?
ii. FromwheredidJesusteach?
c. Whateventshappenedintheprecedingchapter(useeitherMatthew12orMark3)thatillustratetheoppositionthatexistedagainstJesus?
2. ContentoftheParablea. ThisisMatthew’saccount(EnglishStandardVersion):
3Andhetoldthemmanythingsinparables,saying:“Asowerwentouttosow.4Andashesowed,someseedsfellalongthepath,andthebirdscameanddevouredthem.5Otherseedsfellonrockyground,wheretheydidnothavemuchsoil,andimmediatelytheysprangup,sincetheyhadnodepthofsoil,6butwhenthesunrosetheywerescorched.Andsincetheyhadnoroot,theywitheredaway.7Otherseedsfellamongthorns,andthethornsgrewupandchokedthem.8Otherseedsfellongoodsoilandproducedgrain,someahundredfold,somesixty,somethirty.9Hewhohasears,lethimhear.”
ParablesofJesus
b. Listthetypesofsoil.Whathappenstotheseedineachsoil?
3. MainPoint(s)a. DoesJesusgivetheparableatitle?Ifso,whatdoeshecallit?b. Inyourwords,whatisthemainlessontobelearnedfromthisparable?
4. ExplanationofJesus(ifany)a. Jesusexplanationoftheparable’smeaningaccordingtoMatthew13:18-23was:
18“Hearthentheparableofthesower:19Whenanyonehearsthewordofthekingdomanddoesnotunderstandit,theevilonecomesandsnatchesawaywhathasbeensowninhisheart.Thisiswhatwassownalongthepath.20Asforwhatwassownonrockyground,thisistheonewhohearsthewordandimmediatelyreceivesitwithjoy,21yethehasnorootinhimself,butenduresforawhile,andwhentribulationorpersecutionarisesonaccountoftheword,immediatelyhefallsaway.22Asforwhatwassownamongthorns,thisistheonewhohearstheword,butthecaresoftheworldandthedeceitfulnessofricheschoketheword,anditprovesunfruitful.23Asforwhatwassownongoodsoil,thisistheonewhohearsthewordandunderstandsit.Heindeedbearsfruitandyields,inonecaseahundredfold,inanothersixty,andinanotherthirty.”
b. Whatwastheseed?c. Whatdidthesoilsrepresent?d. Whathappenedtotheseedineachofthefourcases?Foreach,stateareasonwhyit
happened?
5. ApplicationtoUsa. Doyoubelieveapersoncanberepresentedbyonetypeofsoilatacertainpointinlifeandlater
bemorelikeadifferentkindofsoil?b. Whatlessonsdoyouseefromthisparableasyouconsiderteachingothers(i.e.takingonthe
roleofasower)?c. WhattwokindsofsoilareprobablymostoftenfoundamongactiveChristians?
d. Whatisthelessontoyoupersonally?
KingdomParables–Parablesof
Lesson3OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
IntroductionInthislesson,wewillstudyaseriesofparablesthatweregroupedwiththeParableoftheSower.Alloftheseparables,withtheexceptionofone,arefoundinthe13thchapterofMatthew.Theparableswewillexamineandwheretheyarerecordedareasfollows:
• ParablesoftheWeeds Matthew13:24-30• MustardSeed Matthew13:31-33 Mark4:30-32 Luke13:18-19• Leaven Matthew13:33 Luke13:20-21• HiddenTreasure Matthew13:44• GreatPearl, Matthew13:45-46• Net Matthew47-50• GrowingSeed Mark4:26-29
1. ContextoftheSetofParables
a. Thecontextoftheseparablesisthesameasthatoftheparableofthesower–theyoccuraroundtheendofthesecondyearofJesus’publicministry.
b. DescribethesceneofJesusteachingthisparable:i. Howisthesizeofthecrowddescribed?
ii. FromwheredidJesusteach?
2. ContentoftheParablesa. ThisisMatthew’saccountofsixoftheparablesofthislesson(Matthew13:24-33,44-50):
TheParableoftheWeeds24Heputanotherparablebeforethem,saying,“Thekingdomofheavenmaybecomparedtoamanwhosowedgoodseedinhisfield,25butwhilehismenweresleeping,hisenemycameandsowedweedsamongthewheatandwentaway.26Sowhentheplantscameupandboregrain,thentheweedsappearedalso.27Andtheservantsofthemasterofthehousecameandsaidtohim,‘Master,didyounotsowgoodseedinyour
ParablesofJesus
field?Howthendoesithaveweeds?’28Hesaidtothem,‘Anenemyhasdonethis.’Sotheservantssaidtohim,‘Thendoyouwantustogoandgatherthem?’29Buthesaid,‘No,lestingatheringtheweedsyourootupthewheatalongwiththem.30Letbothgrowtogetheruntiltheharvest,andatharvesttimeIwilltellthereapers,Gathertheweedsfirstandbindtheminbundlestobeburned,butgatherthewheatintomybarn.’”
TheMustardSeedandtheLeaven31Heputanotherparablebeforethem,saying,“Thekingdomofheavenislikeagrainofmustardseedthatamantookandsowedinhisfield.32Itisthesmallestofallseeds,butwhenithasgrownitislargerthanallthegardenplantsandbecomesatree,sothatthebirdsoftheaircomeandmakenestsinitsbranches.”33Hetoldthemanotherparable.“Thekingdomofheavenislikeleaventhatawomantookandhidinthreemeasuresofflour,tillitwasallleavened.”
TheParableoftheHiddenTreasure44“Thekingdomofheavenisliketreasurehiddeninafield,whichamanfoundandcoveredup.Theninhisjoyhegoesandsellsallthathehasandbuysthatfield.
TheParableofthePearlofGreatValue45“Again,thekingdomofheavenislikeamerchantinsearchoffinepearls,46who,onfindingonepearlofgreatvalue,wentandsoldallthathehadandboughtit.
TheParableoftheNet47“Again,thekingdomofheavenislikeanetthatwasthrownintotheseaandgatheredfishofeverykind.48Whenitwasfull,mendrewitashoreandsatdownandsortedthegoodintocontainersbutthrewawaythebad.49Soitwillbeattheendoftheage.Theangelswillcomeoutandseparatetheevilfromtherighteous50andthrowthemintothefieryfurnace.Inthatplacetherewillbeweepingandgnashingofteeth.
b. Whatisacommonstatementatthebeginningofeachoftheseparables?c. Whatdoesamustardseedandleavenhaveincommon?
d. Whatwasthecommonreactionofthefindersofthetreasureandofthepearl?
e. ThisistheoneuniqueparableinMark,theparableofthegrowingseedinMark4:26-29:TheParableoftheSeedGrowing
26Andhesaid,“ThekingdomofGodisasifamanshouldscatterseedontheground.27Hesleepsandrisesnightandday,andtheseedsproutsandgrows;heknowsnothow.28Theearthproducesbyitself,firsttheblade,thentheear,thenthefullgrainintheear.29Butwhenthegrainisripe,atonceheputsinthesickle,becausetheharvesthascome.”
3. MainPoints
a. Pairtheaboveparablesasfollowsandsuggestamainlessontobelearnedfromthepairs:i. Parableoftheweedsandtheparableofthenet:
ii. Parableofthemustardseedandtheparableoftheleaven:
iii. Parableofthehiddentreasureandthepearlofgreatprice:b. Inyourwords,whatisthemainlessonoftheparableoftheseedgrowing?
4. ExplanationofJesusa. Jesusexplainsthemeaningofonetheparablesabove–theparableoftheweeds(Matthew
13:37-43):37Heanswered,“TheonewhosowsthegoodseedistheSonofMan.38Thefieldistheworld,andthegoodseedisthesonsofthekingdom.Theweedsarethesonsoftheevilone,39andtheenemywhosowedthemisthedevil.Theharvestistheendoftheage,andthereapersareangels.40Justastheweedsaregatheredandburnedwithfire,sowillitbeattheendoftheage.41TheSonofManwillsendhisangels,andtheywillgatheroutofhiskingdomallcausesofsinandalllaw-breakers,42andthrowthemintothefieryfurnace.Inthatplacetherewillbeweepingandgnashingofteeth.43ThentherighteouswillshinelikethesuninthekingdomoftheirFather.Hewhohasears,lethimhear.”
b. Identifythesower,thegoodseed,andtheweeds:c. Whoistheenemy?d. Whateventisrepresentedbytheharvest?Whatwillbethefateofthe“weeds”?ofthegood
seed?e. NotealsotheexplanationofJesusinvs.34-35regardingwhyhetaughtinparables.
5. ApplicationtoUsa. Basedontheparableoftheweeds,whatshouldweexpecttheworldaroundustobelike?
Whateffectshouldthisexpectationhaveonthewaythatwelive?
b. Whatareyouholdingontoratherthansellinginordertoobtainthe“hiddentreasure”orthe“pearlofgreatprice”?
c. Shouldwebefrightenedbytheprospectofajudgmentday?
d. Whatshouldwebepromptedtodo,giventhelessonofthemustardseedandleaven?
PrayerandPersistenceParablesoftheMidnightFriendandthePersistentWidow
Lesson4OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
IntroductionHerewehavetwoparableswithasimilarmessageregardingourprayers.MidnightFriend–Luke11:5-131. Context
a. ThisparableappearstohavebeentaughtduringthelastyearofJesusministry.b. WhatrequestpromptedJesustoteachthisparable(Luke11:1)?c. HowdidJesusinitiallyrespondtotherequest?
2. ContentoftheParablea. Theparableisinvs.5-8(EnglishStandardVersion):
5Andhesaidtothem,“Whichofyouwhohasafriendwillgotohimatmidnightandsaytohim,‘Friend,lendmethreeloaves,6forafriendofminehasarrivedonajourney,andIhavenothingtosetbeforehim’;7andhewillanswerfromwithin,‘Donotbotherme;thedoorisnowshut,andmychildrenarewithmeinbed.Icannotgetupandgiveyouanything’?8Itellyou,thoughhewillnotgetupandgivehimanythingbecauseheishisfriend,yetbecauseofhisimpudencehewillriseandgivehimwhateverheneeds.
b. Isthereanexpectationthatthefriendwhoarrivesatmidnightwillreceivewhatheneeds?Whattwopotentialreasonsaregivenforbelievingthatthefriendwillreceiveananswer?
3. ExplanationofJesus(ifany)a. JesusgivesadeepermeaningtotheparableinhiscommentsthatfollowinLuke11:9-13:
9AndItellyou,ask,anditwillbegiventoyou;seek,andyouwillfind;knock,anditwillbeopenedtoyou.10Foreveryonewhoasksreceives,andtheonewhoseeksfinds,andtotheonewhoknocksitwillbeopened.11Whatfatheramongyou,ifhissonasksforafish,willinsteadofafishgivehimaserpent;12orifheasksforanegg,willgivehima
ParablesofJesus
scorpion?13Ifyouthen,whoareevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuchmorewilltheheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothosewhoaskhim!”
b. Whoisdoingtheaskingattheendofthisexplanation?Whoishearingtherequest?Towhomishecompared?
4. MainPoint(s)
a. Wearetoldtoask,seekandknock.GiventhemodelprayerofLuke11:2-4,whatshouldwebeaskingfor?
b. Inyourwords,whatisthemainlessontobelearnedfromthisparable?
5. ApplicationtoUsa. WhatshouldbeourviewofGodaswepray?b. Whatshouldbeourattitudeandactionifwedonotreceivewhatwehaveprayedfor?
PersistentWidow–Luke18:1-81. Context
a. ThisparableispartofasequenceofparablestaughtbyJesusinthelastfewmonthsofhispublicministry.
b. WhatreasonisgivenforJesusgivefortellingthisparable(vs.1)?
2. ContentoftheParablea. ThisisLuke’saccount(EnglishStandardVersion):
“InacertaincitytherewasajudgewhoneitherfearedGodnorrespectedman.3Andtherewasawidowinthatcitywhokeptcomingtohimandsaying,‘Givemejusticeagainstmyadversary.’4Forawhileherefused,butafterwardhesaidtohimself,‘ThoughIneitherfearGodnorrespectman,5yetbecausethiswidowkeepsbotheringme,Iwillgiveherjustice,sothatshewillnotbeatmedownbyhercontinualcoming.’”
b. Whatwastherequestofthewidow?Whywouldshehaveturnedtothejudge?c. Whatwasthecharacterofthejudge(lookatvs.6also)?
d. Whywasthewomansuccessfulinherplea?
3. ExplanationofJesusa. Aswiththepreviousparable,JesusgivesadeepermeaninginhiscommentsthatfollowinLuke
18:6-8:
6AndtheLordsaid,“Hearwhattheunrighteousjudgesays.7AndwillnotGodgivejusticetohiselect,whocrytohimdayandnight?Willhedelaylongoverthem?8Itellyou,hewillgivejusticetothemspeedily.Nevertheless,whentheSonofMancomes,willhefindfaithonearth?”
b. WhatwillGodgivetohiselect?Whatwilltheelectdo?c. WhatquestiondoesJesushave(vs.8)?
4. MainPoint(s)a. Usethecontextofvs.1andtheexplanationofvs.6-8toanswerthenextquestion.b. Inyourwords,whatisthemainlessontobelearnedfromthisparable?
5. ApplicationtoUsa. Whydowebecomediscouragedinourprayers?b. Whyisitdifficultto“alwayspray”?c. Howcanyouusethisparabletolearntopraywithoutlosingheart?
ParablesonResponsibility(Part1)
Lesson5OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
ResponsibilityofDiscipleshipEachofushasbeenentrustedwithweightyandimportantresponsibilitiesbyGod.InthetwoparableswewilldiscussinthislessonJesusistryingtoimpressuponusjusthowsignificantourserviceisinhisKingdom.WecannottakeourservicelightlyorelsewewillfacejudgmentforourfailuretoliveuptothehighcallingofourMasterandKing.BothoftheseparablesweredeliveredbyJesusveryneartheendofhisearthlyministry.Isupposeashistimedrewneartoberesponsibletobeartheburdenofsinshefeltitappropriatetoremindusoftheresponsibilitieswemustbearaswetakeupthecrossandfollowhim.ParableoftheTalents–Matthew25:14-301. Context
a. ThiswastaughtneartheendofJesus’earthlyministrywhilehewasinJerusalemduringhislastweekbeforetheCrucifixion.
b. Justbeforethis,MatthewrecordsastringofinterviewsbetweenJesus&thereligiousleadersofJerusalem(21-22),followedbyJesus’scathingrebukeofthosehypocriticalreligiousleaders(23)andfinallyJesus’predictionofjudgmentonJerusalemandthedestructionofthetemple(24).
c. Thisparableissandwichedinchapter25betweentheParableoftheTenVirginsandadepictionofJudgmentDay.AllthreeoftheserelatetotheconceptofeachofusbeingpersonallyresponsibleforouractionsbeforeGod.
d. RESEARCHQUESTION:Howmuchapproximatevaluedida“Talent”represent?
2. ContentoftheParablea. ReadMatthew25:14-30b. WhatwasthedeterminingfactorforhowmuchtheMasterentrustedtoeachservant?c. HowdidtheMasterrespondtotheeffortsoftheFive&TwoTalentservants?Whatdifferenceis
thereinhisresponsestothem?
d. WhydidtheMastercondemntheOneTalentservant?
ParablesofJesus
e. Diddifferenceinlevelofabilityreducethelevelofresponsibilityamongtheservants?
3. MainPoint(s)
a. Whatdoyouthinkisthemainpoint(s)ofthisparable?b. Explainthefollowingquoteasitrelatestothisparable:“Fortoeveryonewhohaswillmorebe
given,andhewillhaveanabundance.Butfromtheonewhohasnot,evenwhathehaswillbetakenaway”(Matthew25:29).
4. ApplicationtoUsa. WhatthingshastheMasterentrustedtoyou?Howcanyouimproveinusingthesethingsin
servinghim?b. Howdoescowardiceimpairyourservice?
c. WhatshouldbethehopethatwestriveforinourservicetotheMaster?ParableoftheMinas–Luke19:11-271. Context
a. WhileverysimilartotheParableoftheTalents,thiswasdeliveredwithdifferentdetailsandatadifferenttime—justbeforeJesusentersJerusalemforthefinalweekbeforehisCrucifixion(Luke19:28).LukespendsalengthyportionofhisgospelrecordingJesusonhiswaytoJerusalem,placinggreatemphasisonthejourneythereandthejudgmentthatJesuswouldbringonthecurrenthypocriticalreligioussystem.
b. PreviouslyJesushadencounteredZaccheusandremindedusthatHismissionwastoseekandsavethelosteventhoughmostpeopledespisedsinners(Luke19:1-10).
c. WhydidJesustellthisparableaccordingtothebriefintroductioninthetext?(19:11)d. RESEARCHQUESTION:Approximatelyhowmuchvaluedida“Mina”represent?
2. ContentoftheParablea. ReadLuke19:11-27.b. Whodoyouthinkthe“Nobleman”represents?Explainyouranswer.c. HowmuchdidtheNoblemanentrusttoeachservant?d. DidtheKing(formerlycalledtheNobleman)haveasignificantlydifferentreactiontothefirst
andsecondservantswhobroughtbackwhattheyhadgained?
e. Whydidthethirdservanthidehismina?WhatdoyouthinkabouttheKing’sresponse?f. WhydoyouthinkJesusmentionedthecitizenswhorejectedtheKinginthebeginning(v.14)
andtheKing’sordertoexecutethemattheend(v.27)?
3. MainPoint(s)a. Whatdoyouthinkisthemainpoint(s)ofthisparable?b. Whatdidtheservantwhomade10minashavethattheservantwhohidhisminanothave?c. Howdoesthecondemnationonthefearfulservant(v.22-26)relatetotheordertoexecutethe
King’senemies(v.27)?
4. ApplicationtoUsa. WhataresomethingsthatallservantsoftheKinghavebeengiven?b. Whatdifferentiatesgoodservants&badservantsinthekingdom?
c. Doesthecontextofthisparable(19:10-11)relatetothelessonsinthisparableandhaveanyimpactonourservicefortheKingtoday?
ParablesonResponsibility(Part2)Lesson6
OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
PeopleandPossessionsPerhapssomeofthegreatestchallengeswefaceinourresponsibilitiestotheLordarehowwetreatthemanyPeopleHeputsinourlivesandhowwedealwiththetemporalPossessionsHeblessesuswith.Partofthedifficultyisthatthesearethethingswemostfrequentlyinteractwithandtoooftenthatfamiliaritycausesustonottakeourresponsibilitiesinthesethingsseriously.TheparablesofTheGoodSamaritanandTheRichFoolaresoberingstoriesthatforceustopauseandconsiderourresponsibilitiestotheKingwithregardtothepeopleandpossessionsHehasputintoourlives.ParableoftheGoodSamaritan–Luke10:25-371. Context
a. Jesushassentoutthe72outtopreach(Luke10:1-16),theyhavereturnedwithjoybecauseoftheirsuccessbutJesusfocusestheirjoyontheirrelationshipwithGodandHepraisesGodforallowingchild-likedisciplestoseethekingdom(10:17-24).
b. Incontrasttothechild-likedisciplesofthekingdom,aLawyercomestotestJesus(10:25).WhatquestiondoestheLawyerinitiallyask?HowdoesJesusrespond?
c. AfterJesuspointstheLawyertotheanswertolife(love)whatdoestheLawyerdesire?What
questiondoesheaskthatstemsfromthatdesire?
2. ContentoftheParable
a. ReadLuke10:25-37b. WhathappenedtothemangoingdownfromJerusalemtoJericho?Doweknowanythingabout
thisman’snationality,character,purposeintravel,etc?c. HowdidthePriestandLevitereactwhentheysawthemaninneed?d. “ButaSamaritan…”
i. HowdidJews(Jesus’mainaudience)viewSamaritans?
ParablesofJesus
ii. WhatwastheSamaritandoingwhenhecameupontheman?
iii. HowdidtheSamaritanreactwhenhesawthismaninneed?
iv. WhatdidtheSamaritandofortheman?3. MainPoint(s)
a. WhatquestiondoesJesusposeattheendoftheparable?HowisthisquestionareversaloftheLawyer’squestion:“Andwhoismyneighbor?”?
b. WhatistheanswerthattheLawyergives?WhatpointdoesJesusmakeinresponse?
4. ApplicationtoUs
a. LoveistheheartofChristianliving(Lk.10:27-28;Jn.13:34-35;Eph.5:1-2;Col.3:14;1Jn.4:7-8).Whydoyouthinkwestrugglewithitsomuch?
b. ListsomespecificwaysthatyoucanshowNeighbor(i.e.Christ-like)Loveto…
i. FamilyatHome
ii. FellowChristians
iii. LostintheWorld
ParableoftheRichFool–Luke12:13-215. Context
a. AtthistimeinHisministryJesuswasdealingwithboththeintensifyinghatredoftheJewishreligiousestablishment(Luke11:53-54)andsoaringpopularityamongthepeoplewhoatthistimearethrongingtoHimliterallybythethousands(12:1).
b. InthemidstofthisoppositionandpopularityJesushasbeenspeakingonvarioustopicsthatrelatetowhatitmeanstobeatruediscipleofHis.
c. WhatwasJesusdiscussingjustbeforethemaninterruptshimwiththisinheritancedispute?Whatdoesthatshowyouabouttheman’sheartandmind?(12:13)
d. WhatdoesJesussayinresponsetothemanthatservesasanintroductiontothisparable?
(12:14-15)6. ContentoftheParable
a. ReadLuke12:13-21b. HowdidtheRichManbecomerich?c. Whatsolutiondoeshedevisetodealwiththesurplushehadaccumulated?
d. Whatistheattitude/mindsetthattheRichManhadtowardlifeandpossessions?e. HowdoesGodviewthisman?WhatdoesGodsaywillhappentohim?
7. MainPoint(s)a. WhatdoesJesuswarnusaboutinhisintroduction?WhatconclusiondoesHedraw?b. Howdoesthewarningrelatetotheconclusionoftheparable?c. Whatdoesitmeantobe“richtowardGod”?
8. ApplicationtoUsa. Useelementsofthisstorytodefinetheterm“covetousness.”b. AccordingtoColossians3:5,howseriousiscovetousness?c. Read1Timothy6:17-19.HowdoesthistextrelatetotheparableoftheRichFool?
ForgivenessParablesoftheTwoDebtors,UnworthyServants,and
thePhariseeandtheTaxCollectorLesson7
OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
IntroductionInthislessonandinlesson8,wewillfocusonatotaloffiveparablesthatteachusaboutforgiveness.WewillstudythreeparablesfromLuke’saccountinthislesson,andtwomorefromMatthew’saccountinthelessonthatfollows.TwoDebtors–Luke7:41-421. Context
a. ThisparableappearsistaughtspecificallybecauseofwhathappenstoJesusinthehomeofaPharisee.ReadLuke7:36-40.
b. Howisthewomandescribedinthisincident(7:37)?c. WhatdidshedoforJesus?Whatdemonstratedheremotions?
d. WhatwasSimon’s(thePharisee)conclusionregardingthisscene?
2. ContentoftheParablea. Theparableisinvs.41-42(EnglishStandardVersion):
41“Acertainmoneylenderhadtwodebtors.Oneowedfivehundreddenarii,andtheotherfifty.42Whentheycouldnotpay,hecancelledthedebtofboth.Nowwhichofthemwilllovehimmore?”
b. Whatwastherelativevalueofthefirstman’sdebttothesecondman?c. WhatwasJesus’questionattheend?
3. ExplanationofJesusa. JesustaughttheparabletomakeapointthatSimonmightnototherwisehaveunderstood.He
thenexplainsthereallifemeaningbehindthisparableinLuke7:43-50.
ParablesofJesus
b. ComparethebehaviorofthewomantothatofSimonwhileJesuswasinthehouse?
c. Whatblessingdidthewomanreceive?
d. WhatpointismadebyJesusinvs.47?
4. MainPoint(s)a. UseLuke7:47andthequestionandanswerofvs.42-43todescribewhatyoubelieveisthe
mainpointoftheparable.b. Whatotherreactionwasmadebythosewhosawthisincident(Luke7:49)?
5. ApplicationtoUsa. IsitimportantforustohaveasenseofhowmuchwehavebeenforgivenbyGod?Why?b. Whatshouldbeouremotionregardingourforgiveness?
PhariseeandTaxCollector–Luke18:9-131. Context
a. ThisparableispartofasequenceofparablestaughtbyJesusinthelastfewmonthsofhispublicministry.
b. TowhomarewetoldspecificallyJesustaughtthisparable?9Healsotoldthisparabletosomewhotrustedinthemselvesthattheywererighteous,andtreatedotherswithcontempt.
2. ContentoftheParablea. ThisisLuke’saccount(EnglishStandardVersion):
10“Twomenwentupintothetempletopray,oneaPhariseeandtheotherataxcollector.11ThePharisee,standingbyhimself,prayedthus:‘God,IthankyouthatIamnotlikeothermen,extortioners,unjust,adulterers,orevenlikethistaxcollector.12Ifasttwiceaweek;IgivetithesofallthatIget.’13Butthetaxcollector,standingfaroff,wouldnotevenliftuphiseyestoheaven,butbeathisbreast,saying,‘God,bemercifultome,asinner!’
b. ForwhatwasthePhariseethankful?Whatdidheclaimtohavedone?c. Whatwasthetaxcollector’sphysicaldemeanor?d. Howdidthetaxcollectordescribehimself?Whatwashisrequest?
3. ExplanationofJesusa. JesusexplainsfurtherinLuke18:14:
14Itellyou,thismanwentdowntohishousejustified,ratherthantheother.Foreveryonewhoexaltshimselfwillbehumbled,buttheonewhohumbleshimselfwillbeexalted.”
b. Whatisnecessaryforjustification?
4. MainPoint(s)a. Usethestatementsofvs.9and14toanswerthenextquestion.b. Inyourwords,whatisthemainlessontobelearnedfromthisparable?
5. ApplicationtoUsa. ThinkofaprayerwhereyouhaveprayedlikethePharisee.b. Howcanyouincreasehumilitybeforeaprayer?c. Whatisthemeaningofmercy?
UnworthyServants–Luke17:7-101. Context
a. ThisparableispartofasequenceofparablestaughtbyJesusinthelastfewmonthsofhispublicministry.
b. IfthereisaspecificreasonforthisparableitmayrelatetothequestionoftheapostlesinLuke7:5.
2. ContentoftheParable
a. ThisisLuke’saccount(EnglishStandardVersion):7“Willanyoneofyouwhohasaservantplowingorkeepingsheepsaytohimwhenhehascomeinfromthefield,‘Comeatonceandreclineattable’?8Willhenotrathersaytohim,‘Preparesupperforme,anddressproperly,andservemewhileIeatanddrink,andafterwardyouwilleatanddrink’?9Doeshethanktheservantbecausehedidwhatwascommanded?
b. Whatwouldamasternotsaytoaservant?Whatdoeshenotdofortheservant?
3. ExplanationofJesusa. JesusexplainsinLuke17:10:
10Soyoualso,whenyouhavedoneallthatyouwerecommanded,say,‘Weareunworthyservants;wehaveonlydonewhatwasourduty.
b. Whatwillkindofspiritwouldsuchastatementreflect?
4. MainPoint(s)a. Themainpointisclearlystatedin17:10.b. WhatconclusionsshouldnotbedrawnaboutGodfromthisparable?
5. ApplicationtoUsa. Dowesometimesfeelentitled,thatGodowesussomethingmorethanwehavereceived?b. Whatisourresponsibility?c. Howdoesthisparablerelatetoteachingonforgivenessandmercy?
ForgivenessParablesoftheUnmercifulServantandtheTwoSons
Lesson8OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
IntroductionInthislesson,wewillcompleteourstudyoffiveparablesthatteachusaboutforgiveness.WelookedatthreeparablesfromLuke’saccountinthepreviouslesson,andhereexaminetwomorefromMatthew’sgospel.UnmercifulServant–Matthew18:23-341. Context
a. PeterasksaquestionthatleadstoJesusteachingthisparable:21ThenPetercameupandsaidtohim,“Lord,howoftenwillmybrothersinagainstme,andIforgivehim?Asmanyasseventimes?”22Jesussaidtohim,“Idonotsaytoyouseventimes,butseventy-seventimes.
.b. ButthequestionofPeterfollowsteachingofJesusthattouchesonanumberoftopicsrelatedto
thesinofothers.Whatsubjectmatteriscoveredin:i. Matthew18:7-9
ii. Matthew18:10-14(cf.Luke15:4-7)
iii. Matthew18:15-20c. WhatdoyouthinkpromptedPeter’squestion?WhatanswerdidJesusgivebeforetheparable?
2. ContentoftheParablea. Theparableisinvs.23-34(EnglishStandardVersion):
23“Thereforethekingdomofheavenmaybecomparedtoakingwhowishedtosettleaccountswithhisservants.24Whenhebegantosettle,onewasbroughttohimwhoowedhimtenthousandtalents.25Andsincehecouldnotpay,hismasterorderedhimtobesold,withhiswifeandchildrenandallthathehad,andpaymenttobemade.26Sotheservantfellonhisknees,imploringhim,‘Havepatiencewithme,andIwillpayyoueverything.’27Andoutofpityforhim,themasterofthatservantreleasedhimandforgavehimthedebt.28Butwhenthatsameservantwentout,hefoundoneofhisfellowservantswhoowedhimahundreddenarii,andseizinghim,hebegantochokehim,
ParablesofJesus
saying,‘Paywhatyouowe.’29Sohisfellowservantfelldownandpleadedwithhim,‘Havepatiencewithme,andIwillpayyou.’30Herefusedandwentandputhiminprisonuntilheshouldpaythedebt.31Whenhisfellowservantssawwhathadtakenplace,theyweregreatlydistressed,andtheywentandreportedtotheirmasterallthathadtakenplace.32Thenhismastersummonedhimandsaidtohim,‘Youwickedservant!Iforgaveyouallthatdebtbecauseyoupleadedwithme.33Andshouldnotyouhavehadmercyonyourfellowservant,asIhadmercyonyou?’34Andinangerhismasterdeliveredhimtothejailers,untilheshouldpayallhisdebt.
b. Trytodeterminethevalueof10,000talents.Wasitanamountthisservantwouldeverbeabletorepay?
c. Whatweretheplannedconsequencesforthismanandhisfamily?Whydidthemasterchange
hismindandforgivehim?d. Whatactiondidtheforgivenservanttakeagainstamanwhoowedhimmoney?Whatwasthe
reactionofthefellowservantswhowitnessedthis?
e. Whatultimatelyhappentotheforgivenservantbecauseofhislackofmercy?
3. ExplanationofJesus
a. Jesusexplainstheapplicationofthisparabletoeachofusintheversethatfollows(vs.35):35SoalsomyheavenlyFatherwilldotoeveryoneofyou,ifyoudonotforgiveyourbrotherfromyourheart.”
b. Whyisitsoimportantforustoforgiveothers?Besidestheconsequences,whatelseshould
motivateus?
4. MainPoint(s)a. JesusgivesusthemainpointofthisparableinhisanswerofMatthew18:22andthestatement
ofvs.35.b. HowmightyouapplyJesus’teachingtosituationssuchasthosedescribedinMatthew18:15-
20)?5. ApplicationtoUs
a. Whyisitsodifficulttoforgiveothers?b. DoesGodintendustobeconcernedaboutthesinsofothers?Besidestheparable,whatelsein
thischapterteachesthisprinciple?
TheTwoSons–Matthew21:28-301. Context
a. ThisparableistaughtduringthelastweekofJesus’lifeandispartofaseriesofresponsestothechallengesoftheoppositionoftheJewishleadership.
b. WhathappenedimmediatelypriortothisparableinMatthew21:23-27?
2. ContentoftheParablea. ThisisMatthew’saccount(EnglishStandardVersion):
28“Whatdoyouthink?Amanhadtwosons.Andhewenttothefirstandsaid,‘Son,goandworkinthevineyardtoday.’29Andheanswered,‘Iwillnot,’butafterwardhechangedhismindandwent.30Andhewenttotheothersonandsaidthesame.Andheanswered,‘Igo,sir,’butdidnotgo.
b. Howmanyofthesonssaidtheywouldgo?Howmanyactuallywent?c. Whichsonwasactuallyfaithful?
3. ExplanationofJesusa. Aftertheleadersacknowledgedwhichsonwasfaithful,Jesusmadeadevastatingapplication:
“Truly,Isaytoyou,thetaxcollectorsandtheprostitutesgointothekingdomofGodbeforeyou.32ForJohncametoyouinthewayofrighteousness,andyoudidnotbelievehim,butthetaxcollectorsandtheprostitutesbelievedhim.Andevenwhenyousawit,youdidnotafterwardchangeyourmindsandbelievehim.
b. Basedonthisstatement,whichofthetwosonsintheparablerepresenttheJewishleaders?
4. MainPoint(s)a. Whatmattersthemost–whatwesayorwhatwedo?b. WhydoyouthinkJesuswassoplaininthisparable?
5. ApplicationtoUsa. Thisparablecouldbeincludedinthegroupofrejectionparableswewillstudyinlesson12.
Whatlessondoyouthinktheparablecanteachonforgiveness?b. Arethererighteousstepsyouhaveintendedtotakebuthavefailedtofollowthroughwith?Isit
toolate?
ParablesontheLostLesson9
OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
Jesus’DinnerPartyWeallliketoeatwithourfriendsandthepeoplewecareabout.Usuallythesearethepeoplemostlikeus,theonesthatmakeusfeeland/orlookgood,theyareablessingtous.WhenweseeJesusatdinnerweseehimsurroundedbythelowest,dirtiestsinners.Hereceivedpeoplemostdissimilartohim,thatbroughtburdenandreproachtohim,butthepeoplethathecouldbeablessingto.DowehavetheheartofJesustowardtheLost?ContextofLostParables
• StartinginLuke14:1,weseeJesushavingdinneratthehouseofarulerofthePhariseesandisunderclosescrutiny.Jesususedthisdinnerasanopportunitytoteachvariouslessonstothemanydifferenttypesofpeoplepresent.
• ItisapparentlyinthissettingthatthePhariseesandScribescomplainedaboutJesussaying,“Thismanreceivessinnersandeatswiththem”(15:1).
• HowdoesthisstatementhelpsetthestagefortheparablesthatJesustoldhere?Whatdoyouthinkwashispurposeintellingtheseparables?
ParableoftheLostSheep–Luke15:1-7
1. ContentoftheParablea. ReadLuke15:1-7b. WhodoestheShepherdrepresent?Thelostsheep?
c. WhatthingsdoesJesussaythattheShepherdwilldoforonelostsheep?
d. HowdoestheShepherdreacttofindinghisSheep?
2. Explanationa. WhatheavenlytruthdoesJesussaythisstorypointsto?
b. OurrepentancemakesGodrejoice!Whatanamazingthought!3. MainPoint(s)
a. WhatdoesthisstoryshowyouaboutGod’slovefortheLost?
b. HowdoesthisstoryillustratethepersonalinvestmentGodmakesinsavingtheLost?
ParablesofJesus
c. HowmuchdoweimpactGod’semotions?
4. ApplicationtoUsa. DoyoueverwonderhowGodfeelsaboutyouafteryouhavesinned?Doyouwonderifhecan
stillreceiveyoubacktohimself?Howdoesthisparablehelpgiveanswerstothosequestions?
b. Whatbringsyouthemostjoy?Howdoyouthinkthatimpactsyourevangelisticefforts?ParableoftheLostCoin–Luke15:8-10
1. ContentoftheParablea. ReadLuke15:8-10b. WhodoestheWomanrepresentinthisstory?Thelostcoin?
c. WhatalldoesJesussaytheWomandoeswholosesheronecoin?
d. HowdoestheWomanreacttofindingherCoin?
2. Explanationa. WhatheavenlytruthdoesJesussaythisstorypointsto?
b. WhodoesJesusspecificallysayrejoicesoverlostsinners?
3. MainPoint(s)a. HowmuchvaluedoesGodplaceoneveryperson?
b. HowintentisGodonsavingtheLost?
4. ApplicationtoUsa. DoyoueverwonderwhetheryouarevaluabletoGod(especiallywhenyouaren’tlivingright)?
Howdoesthisstoryhelpanswerthatquestion?
b. HowcanthisstoryhelpustohavemoreconcernfortheLost?ParableoftheLostSon–Luke15:11-32
1. ContentoftheParablea. ReadLuke15:11-32b. WhodoestheFatherrepresent?TheYoungerSon?TheOlderSon?
c. WhatthingsdoestheYoungerSondo/say/thinkwrong?
d. WheredoestheYoungerSonendupbecauseofhis“recklessliving”?
e. WhatdoesthetextsayhappensintheYoungerSonwhileheiswiththepigs?
f. WhatattitudedoyouseeintheYoungerSon’sreturn?
g. HowdoestheFatherreacttotheYoungerSon’sreturn?
h. HowdoestheOlderSonreacttohisbrother’sreturn?Whatdoeshecallhisbrother?
i. WhatdoestheFathersayabouthisfeelingsabouttheYoungerSon’sreturn?
2. MainPoint(s)a. DoyouthinkthisparableistoldprimarilytoillustrateGod’slovefortheLostortopointoutthe
wrongattitudesthatthe“Righteous”oftenhavetowardtheLost?Explain.
b. Whatisthesignificance(ifthereisany)oftheFathernotpursuing,seekingforhissonlikewesawintheprevioustwoparables?
c. HowdoestheFatherviewallofHischildren?
3. ApplicationtoUsa. WillGodforceustocomebackhometoHim?Whatdoesthisstoryshowisnecessaryforusto
comehome?
b. WhatwrongattitudesdoestheOlderSondisplay?Howcanweexhibitthesamespirit?
ParablesonJudgmentLesson10
OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheartbybetterunderstandingourownforgiveness.3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
JudgmentWillComeWemayattimesfeellikewecanescapeGod’snoticeinjudgmentbuttheparableswewillstudyinthislessonhelpustorealizethatGodwilljudgeusbyourdeeds.Jesusteachesusintheseparablesthatwemustbepeoplethatbearfruitsofrepentanceandlivewiththerealizationthatallwehaveanddointhislifeisonlypreparingusforthejudgmentthatwillleadtothenextlife.ParableoftheBarrenFigTree–Luke13:1-9
5. ContextoftheParablea. ReadLuke13:1-5b. WhatnewsstorywerepeoplediscussingwithJesusatthispoint?
c. WhatideadoesJesuspresentinlightofthisandanothersimilarevent?
d. Whatdoestheword“repent”mean?
6. ContentoftheParablea. ReadLuke13:6-9b. Whatwouldyouexpecttofindonafigtree?Whatdidthemaninthisstoryfindonhis?
Howlonghadthetreebeeninthiscondition?
c. WhatdidhetelltheVinedressertodotothetree?
d. WhatrequestdidtheVinedressermake?
7. MainPoint(s)a. Considerhowthisparableconnectstotheintroductorydiscussionin13:1-5.b. Whatisthemainpoint?
ParablesofJesus
8. ApplicationtoUsa. WhatdoesthisparableteachusaboutGod’sexpectationsandjudgmentofus?
b. HowdoesthisparableillustrateGod’spatienceinjudgment?ParableoftheDishonestManager–Luke16:1-13
5. ContextoftheParablea. ThisparableistoldinthemidstofaflurryofparablesthatLukerecords(14:1-17:10).b. WhatgroupdidJesusaddressthisparableto?Whoelsewasalsolistening(16:14)?
6. ContentoftheParablea. ReadLuke16:1-9.b. WhatwastheRichMan’sManagerdoingwrong?
c. WhatjudgmentdidtheRichManpronounceontheManager?
d. WhatdidtheManagerthinkabouthispredicament?Whatdidhedo?
e. HowdidtheMasterrespondtohisDishonestManager?
7. Explanationa. WhatdoesJesussaythe“sonsofthisworld”dobetterthan“sonsoflight”?
b. DoyouthinkJesusiscommendingdishonestbehavior?Explain.
8. MainPoint(s)a. HowdoyouthinktheDishonestManagerisapositiveexampleforus?
b. WhatlessondoesJesus“tell”usattheconclusionofthisparableasthemainpoint?
c. Afterthemainsummarypointoftheparable(16:9),whatlessondoesJesusteachabouthow“unrighteouswealth”willimpactourreceiving“trueriches”?
d. “Noservantcanservetwomasters”(16:13).BetweenGodandMoney,whichMasterwilljudgeoureternaldestiny?WhichMaster-Judgeshouldwepaymoreattentionto?
9. ApplicationtoUsa. What“unrighteouswealth”(16:9,11)hasGodentrustedtoyoupersonally?
b. Howcanyoubemore“faithful”inyourmanagementofwhatGodhasentrustedtoyou?
c. Basedonyourlifestyle,whoareyoulivingtobejudgedby—GodorMoney?
ParablesonJudgment
Lesson11OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheart3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers
OpportunityEndsWewillnothaveanopportunitytorepentforever.Therewillcomeadaywhenwewillbecalledtoaccountforourworldlyliving.GodwantsustoberightwithHimwhenwestandinjudgment,buthispatiencedoesnotlastforever.TheparableswewillstudythislessonweretoldbyJesusinhislastweekandaremeanttoawakenoursenseofurgencytoservetheKingofHeavensothatwhenjudgmentcomeswewillbeacceptedbyHimasfaithfulcitizensinsteadofbeingcastoutofHisKingdom.ParableoftheWeddingFeast–Matthew22:1-14
1. ContextoftheParablea. JesushadenteredJerusalemandwasmetwithadorationbythecrowds(21:1-11).b. HethenhadvariousinteractionsanddiscussionswithandaboutthecorruptedJewish
religiousleaders(21:12-46).c. ThisispartofasetofparablesthatJesusistellingtoillustratethejudgmentGodis
bringingonJerusalemandthosethatrejecttheMessiah.2. ContentoftheParable
a. ReadMatthew22:1-14b. WhodoyouthinktheKingandSonprobablyareintendedtorepresent?
c. WhatdidtheKingdoforhisSon?HowdidthoseinvitedtotheFeastrespond?
d. HowdidtheKingappealtotheinviteesthesecondtime?Whatalldidtheydothistime?
e. Uponthissecondrejection,howdidtheKingrespond?Whatdidhesayaboutthecharacteraboutthosehehadinvited?
f. Whodidheinvitenext?DescribethesceneattheFeast.
ParablesofJesus
g. Whatwaswrongwithoneoftheguests?WhatdidtheKingdotohim?3. MainPoint(s)
a. Inyourownwords,whatisthemainpointofthisparableaccordingto22:14?
b. WhathappenstothosewhodonotproperlycometotheKing’sFeast?
4. ApplicationtoUsa. WhatdoesthisparableteachusaboutGod’sexpectationsforusandhowwewillbe
judged?
b. Arethe“called”thatonlyrespondpartiallytotheKinganybetterthanthosewhocompletelyrejectHim?Howshouldthatimpactyourattitudeandbehavior?
ParableoftheTenVirgins–Matthew25:1-13
10. ContextoftheParablea. ThisistoldimmediatelyafterJesuspredictstheJerusalem’sdestruction(Matt.24).b. ThisisthefirstofthreestoriesfocusingonGod’scomingjudgment.Theseparables
concludeMatthew’saccountofJesus’teachingministrybeforetheLastSupper.11. ContentoftheParable
a. ReadMatthew25:1-13b. Whoarethemaincharactersofthisstory?Whateventweretheyattending?
c. Howarethese2groupsofVirginsdescribed?Whatpreparation(orlackof)demonstratedtheircharacter?
d. WhatdidalltheVirginsdowhilewaiting?Whatwasthecryatmidnight?
e. WhatdidtheFoolishVirginsaskfor?HowdidtheWiserespond?
f. WhentheBridegroomcame,whydidtheFoolishVirginsendupoutsidethefeast?
g. HowdidtheFoolishVirginsfeelaboutbeingleftoutside?WhatdidtheBridegroomsay?
12. MainPoint(s)
a. WhatlessondoesJesusgiveattheendofthisstory?
b. RESEARCHQUESTION:CanyouthinkofanothertimewhenJesususedthesameorsimilarphrasesto“Lord,lord”and“Idonotknowyou”whenspeakingaboutjudgment?(HINT:LookinMatthew).
13. ApplicationtoUsa. HowdotheWise&FoolishVirginsserveasahelpfullessonforusinourdailylives?
b. ReadMatthew7:21-23.HowdoestheteachingJesusgivesinthispassagepairwiththeparablewehavestudiedinthislesson?
ParablesonRejectionLesson12
OverallGoalsofthe13LessonStudyBytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswill:
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher.2. Haveamorelovingandforgivingheartbyunderstandingourownforgiveness.3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers.4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom.5. Bemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothers.
“HewasDespisedandRejectedbyPeople”EventhoughJesusdidmanymightyworksoflovebythepowerofGod,mostpeoplerejectedhim.HisauthoritativeKingshipwassomethingtheyrefusedtoacceptandtheresultwasthattheymurderedhimontheCross.TheparableswewillstudyinthislessonwillshowhowandwhypeoplerejectJesus.Aswecometotheendofourstudywemustaskourselvesthequestion:DoIacceptJesusordoIstillhaveaheartthatisfullofrebellionthatrejectshisKingshipinmylife?ParableoftheGreatSupper–Luke14:12-24
1. ContextoftheParablea. Jesustoldaparabletoteachthatweshouldshowkindnesstothosewhocannotrepay.b. Afterhearingthis,amanexclaimed,“Blessediseveryonewhowilleatbreadinthe
kingdomofGod!”(14:15).2. ContentoftheParable
a. WhatwasthespecificinvitationthattheServantgavetothoseinvited?
b. WhatreasonsdidpeoplegivetonotattendtheMan’sbanquet?
c. HowdidtheMasterrespondtobeingrejected?
d. Whattypeofpeopledidheinviteafterbeingrejected?
3. MainPoint(s)a. WhatwastheendgoaloftheManinhavingthisbanquet(14:23)?Sowhatwerepeople
reallyrejecting?
b. WhatdowelearnfromthisparableaboutrejectinganinvitationtoJesus’house?
ParablesofJesus
4. ApplicationtoUsa. ReadLuke14:25-33b. WhatthingsdoesJesussaymustbegivenupinordertoaccept/followHim?(Notethese
arethethingsthatpeoplewouldnotgiveuptocometotheFeastintheparable.)ParableoftheLaborers–Matthew20:1-16
1. ContextoftheParablea. VerynearJerusalemandjustafterthediscussionwiththeRichYoungRuler.b. WhatarethelastwordsofJesusimmediatelybeforethisparableistold(19:30)?
Considerhowthisconnectstotheparable.
2. ContentoftheParablea. WhatarethespecifictimesgivenwhentheLaborerswerehired?
b. WhatspecificpaymentpromisesdoestheMastermaketotheLaborers?
c. HowistheMaster’sconversationwiththefourthgroupunique?
d. Whowaspaidfirst?THOUGHTQUESTION:WhydoyouthinkJesusincludesthisdetail?
e. Whywereworkersofthefirstgroupupset?
f. HowdoestheMasterrespondtotheircomplaint?
3. MainPoint(s)a. WhatisthepointthatJesusmakesattheendofthisparable?
b. Whatdoesthisstatementmean?Howdoesthisparableteachthatlesson?
c. Whyisthisconceptadifficultonetoaccept?
4. ApplicationtoUsa. ReadMatthew19:23-30.WhatisPeter’smindsetasrevealedbyhisstatementin19:27?
b. WhydoyouthinkJesusfollowsuphispromisestothedisciples(19:28-29)withthestatementin19:30,thenthisparable,andthenthatstatementrepeatedin20:16?
c. IntermsofrankintheKingdom,whatshouldbethemindsetofdisciplestowardeachother?Whyisthismindsetchallengingtohave?
ParableoftheWickedTenants–Matthew21:33-41
5. ContextoftheParablea. JesushadjustcomeintoJerusalem,cleansedthetemple,cursedthefigtree
(emblematicofhisjudgmentonJerusalem/Jewish“fruitlessness”),wasdealingwiththeJewishreligiousleadersrejectinghisauthorityandhadjustpreviouslytoldtheparableoftheTwoSons(21:1-32).
6. ContentoftheParablea. HowmuchworkdidtheMasterputintothisvineyard?
b. WhatdidtheMasterexpectfromtheVineyardthathehadleasedtoTenants?WhatdidtheTenantsgivehiminstead?
c. Whodoyouthinkmightberepresentedby:theTenants?Servants?Son?
d. WhatdidthereligiousleaderssayshouldbedonetotheTenants?
7. Explanationa. ReadPsalm118.HowdoesJesus’quotationofthisPsalmhelpexplainthemeaningof
theparable?
b. WhatdoesJesussaythisparableteachesabouttheKingdom?
c. HowwillitgowithpeoplewhorejectJesus?
8. MainPoint(s)a. WhatisthemainpointofJesustellingthisparable?
b. HowdidtheJewishreligiousleadersprovethetruthofthisparable?
9. ApplicationtoUsa. WhatdidthepeopleofJesus’dayrejectaboutHim?LookespeciallyinMatthew21.
b. InwhatwaysmightweactsimilarlytothepeopleofJesus’day?
c. Ifwedonotproducefruit,whatdoesthisparableteachthatweareessentiallydoing?
ReviewLesson13
IntroductionThesearetheparableswestudiedoverthelasttwelvelessons:
Title Parables
KingdomParables ParableoftheSower(Matt.13,Mark4,Luke8)ParablesoftheWeeds,MustardSeed,Leaven,HiddenTreasure,GreatPearl,Net(Matt.13),Seed(Mark4)
PrayerandPersistence MidnightFriend(Luke11)PersistentWidow(Luke18)
ParablesonResponsibility Talents(Matt25)Pounds(Luke19)GoodSamaritan(Luke10)RichFool(Luke12)
ParablesonForgiveness TwoDebtors(Luke7),UnworthyServant(Luke17),PhariseeandTaxCollector(Luke18)UnmercifulServant(Matt.18)TwoSons(Matt.21)
ParablesontheLost LostSheepLostCoinLostBoy(Luke15)
ParablesonJudgment BarrenFigTree(Luke13)UnjustSteward(Luke16)WeddingFeast(Matt.22)TenVirgins(Matt.25)
ParablesonRejection WickedHusbandmen(Matt.21,Luke20)GreatSupper(Luke14)Laborers(Matt20)
OverallGoalsofOur13LessonStudyWemadeitouraimthatbytheendofthestudyeachoneofuswouldhaveaccomplishedthegoalslistedbelow.Youshouldrevieweachoneandconsidertheprogressthatyouhavemade.Foreachofthegoals,lookbackoverthelistofparableswehavestudiedandlistseveralthatshouldhavehelpeduswiththatspecificgoal.Forexample,theparableofthepersistentwidowwouldcertainlyaiduswithgoal#3,tobemorepersistentandhumbleinprayer.
1. HaveanincreasedappreciationforJesusasateacher
ParablesofJesus
2. Gainadeeperunderstandingofourforgivenessandhaveamorelovingandforgivingheart
3. Bemorepersistentandhumbleinourprayers
4. HaveaclearerunderstandingofourresponsibilitiesinGod’skingdom
5. BemoreskilledinusingparablestoteachothersQuestionsAnswerthefollowingquestions.Allbutoneofthemhavebeenincludedinourpre-classexercises.
1. WhatistheonlyparablefoundexclusivelyinMark?2. Inwhatbookandchapterwillyoufindthekingdomparables?
3. Inwhatbookandchapterwillyoufindthethreeparablesonlostthings?4. Inwhatbooksaremostoftheparablesfound?5. Intheparableofthesowerwhatdidthesoilsrepresent?6. Whatwasthemainlessonoftheparablesofthetreasureandofthepearlofgreatprice?7. Whattworeasonsweregivenfortheparableofthepersistentwidowbeingtaught?8. Howmanytalentsweregiventothethreemenandhowmanydidtheymake?9. Whatwasthemainlessonoftheparableofthetalents?10. WhatpromptedtheparableoftheGoodSamaritan?11. TowhomwastheparableofthePhariseeandtheTaxCollectoraddressed?12. WhatcriticismofJesusledtohisteachingthethreeparablesonlostthings?13. WhattworeasonsdidJesusgivethedisciplesforteachinginparables?14. DuringwhatperiodofJesus’ministrydidheteachmostoftheparables?15. Whatparabledowematchwiththeparableofthemustardseed?
16. Whatreallifeissuesarerepresentedbytheweedsofthethirdsoil?17. Whowastheenemyintheparableofthewheat?18. Whenweretheweedsremoved?19. WhydidJesusteachtheparableoftheUnforgivingServant?20. WhichLostSonendedupoutsidethehouse?21. WhywastheDishonestManagercommended?
Wherewouldyoufind?Theanswersareinthetableabove,buttrytonamethebookandchapterwherethefollowingparablesarefound:
1. TheparableoftheSower(nametwo).2. TheparableoftheGoodSamaritan3. TheparableofthePersistentWidow4. TheparableoftheProdigalSon5. TheparableoftheUnforgivingServant6. TheparableoftheUnjustSteward7. TheparableoftheTalents8. TheparableoftheTwoDebtors