Purpose of Parables

THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM: [Series outline] The Kingdom Explained: The Purpose of Parables - Matthew 13:10-17 The Sower & Seeds – Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 The Weeds – Matthew 13:25-30, 36-43 The Net – Matthew 13:47-53 The Kingdom Displayed: The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37 The Persistent Friend – Luke 11:5-13 The Best Seats – Luke 14:7-11 The Shrewd Manager – Luke 16:1-15 The Kingdom to Come: The Workers in the Vineyard – Matthew 19:27-20:16 The Wedding Banquet – Matthew 22:1-14 The Ten Bridesmaids – Matthew 25:1-13 The Sheep & The Goats – Matthew 25:31-46 Study Guide: [To go alongside audio message via FaithLife link] The Kingdom Explained: 1. The Purpose of Parables - Matthew 13:10-17 [Questions for personal study or in groups] The big issue in our passage on the purpose of parables is how well we listen or read GOD’s Word. It’s hard, if not impossible to do all our daily Bible readings with equal intensity – especially if we’re reading 2-3 chapters a day. However, it is not good to just rush through and tick the box that we’ve read our bit! We need to be prepared to give time over particular verses to truly ‘listen’ and consider how we need to respond. Better to stop halfway through our first chapter if we feel a particular challenge or comfort – to let it sink in and to consider how we need to respond. • See 13:12. What is the principle here to guide your responsiveness to what you read or hear from the Bible? • How can you apply this in practical ways to how you listen to sermons or read Christian books? • See 13:13-15. What were the general population in Israel doing, that led JESUS to start focussing on telling parables? • Plain teaching would be: The Kingdom of Heaven is… and this is what you need to do… • The parable style goes: The Kingdom of Heaven is like… and you hear a short story. The parable is rich and true and useful to memorize and encapsulate the key truths – but you need to think, to analyse and dig further. • How might a ‘lazy listener’ react to or even enjoy JESUS telling His parables? • How should a ‘spiritually hungry listener’ react to JESUS parables? • See 13:16-17. Meditate on the truth that you are so blessed by GOD’s grace to be able to see & hear wonderful things! Give thanks and consider carefully how you use this privilege.