3: Parables of Jesus (2)

WHY PARABLES?

WHY PARABLES - why SPEAK in STORIES?

Jesus taught in parables because stories stick.

Someone once said:

“Jesus could turn people’s ears into eyes.”

WHAT ARE PARABLES?

DEFINE PARABLE:

Parables are everyday stories revealing eternal truths.

Last week we heard a parables about the Kingdom of God. Remember it? It went like this.

Matthew 13:24–26 (NLT)

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.”

Matthew 13:27-28 (NLT)

The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ “ ‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “ ‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

Matthew 13:29-30 (NLT)

“ ‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’ ”

Now, I’m going to have you break into your small groups and answer these questions. Find the answers in Mt 13:37-43.

Who is the farmer? Jesus

What is the field? The World.

Who is the enemy who planted the weeds? The devil

Who are the good seed? The people of the kingdom

Who are the weeds? People who belong to the devil

What is the harvest? The end of the world

Who are the harvesters? The angels

Everyone back together

We were also told that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, that starts off so small and then grows into a large bush so that birds can nest in it and like just a little bit of yeast that influences the rest of the dough.

What’s THAT say about the KINGDOM? It is talking about the IMPACT of the kingdom. A small group ends up impacting the world!

Here are tonight’s parables

Matthew 13:44–46 (NLT)

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

Was that man just wanting to buy a field? NOPE. He wanted what was hidden in the field. A treasure that is like the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why would the merchant sell everything he owned for this pearl?

We’ve heard the everyday story…so what’s the eternal truth?

The Kingdom of Heaven is worth more than anything.

All your stuff will stay when you die, but if you’re a member of the Kingdom of God, then you will have eternal life!

Is that what YOUR LIFE looks like? Are you pursuing the King and His KINGdom, or is that just a passing thought, because you have more important stuff - like athletics, grades, friends, social status, or another activity?

What are you doing to pursue Jesus? Scripture, prayer, practicing His Presence?

QUESTION: What/who am I pursuing more than Jesus?

Parable of the Fishing Net

Matthew 13:47–51 (NLT)

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.

That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.”

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Group Questions:

Does this parable cause you any concern for yourself or someone else? Explain your answer.

‌What are you doing or what do you NEED to do if you have a concern for a friend’s soul?

What would you say to the person who says, “Jesus isn’t judgmental and would never send someone to hell?”

Why is it important to KNOW what Jesus says about eternity and point OTHERS to what Jesus really has to say?

PRAY for one another. Consider having students pray for non-Christian friends as well. (Don’t allow this to turn into students sharing names & specifics about the lifestyle of others.)

GO SEE EVERNOTE for parables in Matthew, Mark, & Luke

Parable of the unforgiving servant (Mt 18:21-35)

Parable of talents (Mt 25:14-30)