The Parables of Jesus

Read

Study objective: Understand why Jesus taught in parables, using the parable of the sower.

Reading: Mark 4:1–20

Background and context

Jesus tells the parable of the sower to a crowd by the lake, then explains it privately to the disciples. He says parables both reveal and conceal: those who want to understand are drawn in, and those who will not listen remain outside.

Observe

• The parable ends with “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear” (4:9).
• The disciples ask about the parables privately (4:10).
• Jesus quotes Isaiah about seeing and not perceiving (4:12).
• He explains the sower in detail (4:13-20).

Words, people and events to notice

Parable

A story or comparison from everyday life used to make a point about God and his kingdom.

Understand

1. What are the four kinds of soil, and what does each represent?
2. Why might Jesus teach in a way that requires effort to understand?
3. What does “ears to hear” ask of the listener?

Connect

• Matthew 13:10–17

  Matthew’s account of why Jesus used parables.

• Isaiah 6:9–10

  The prophecy Jesus quotes.

Reflect

1. Which soil best describes how you receive God’s word now?
2. What “thorns” crowd out the word in your life?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• Parables invite listeners to lean in and respond.
• The same word bears different fruit in different hearts.

Read

Study objective: Study short parables that describe the Kingdom of God.

Reading: Mark 4:26–34 · Matthew 13:44–46

Background and context

Several short parables picture the kingdom: a seed that grows while the farmer sleeps, a tiny mustard seed that becomes a large plant, treasure hidden in a field, a merchant’s pearl.

Observe

• The seed grows “he doesn’t know how” (Mark 4:27).
• The mustard seed starts very small (Mark 4:31).
• The finder sells everything “in his joy” (Matthew 13:44).
• The merchant sells all for one pearl (13:46).

Words, people and events to notice

Kingdom of God

God’s reign, present in Jesus’ ministry and still to come. Mark 1:15

Understand

1. What do the growth parables say about how the kingdom comes?
2. What do the treasure and the pearl say about its value?
3. Why does the finder act “in his joy”?

Connect

• Luke 13:18–21

  The mustard seed and the yeast in Luke.

Reflect

1. Where have you seen small beginnings grow?
2. What would you give up for the kingdom?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• The kingdom grows quietly from small beginnings.
• It is worth more than everything else.

Read

Study objective: Study the three parables of Luke 15 in their setting.

Reading: Luke 15:1–32

Background and context

Tax collectors and sinners are coming to hear Jesus, and Pharisees and scribes grumble that he welcomes them. Jesus answers with three parables: a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son (with an older brother who will not celebrate).

Observe

• Each parable has something lost, a search or return, and rejoicing.
• Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (15:7, 10).
• The father runs to his returning son (15:20).
• The older son refuses to join the feast (15:28).

Words, people and events to notice

Repentance

Turning back to God; in these parables it leads to joy. Luke 15:7

Understand

1. How does the setting in 15:1-2 explain why Jesus tells these parables?
2. What is the same, and what is different, in the three parables?
3. Who might the older brother represent?

Connect

• Ezekiel 34:11–16

  God as a shepherd seeking the lost.

Reflect

1. Do you relate more to the younger son or the older son?
2. Whom might God be seeking through you?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• God seeks the lost and rejoices when they are found.
• The parable challenges both the wayward and the resentful.

Read

Study objective: Study parables about love for neighbour and forgiveness.

Reading: Luke 10:25–37 · Matthew 18:21–35

Background and context

A lawyer asks Jesus who his neighbour is; Jesus tells of a Samaritan who cares for a wounded man. Peter asks how often he must forgive; Jesus tells of a servant forgiven a vast debt who will not forgive a small one.

Observe

• The lawyer asks “Who is my neighbour?”; Jesus asks who became a neighbour (Luke 10:29, 36).
• The Samaritan acts with compassion and cost (10:33-35).
• The servant’s debt is enormous; his fellow servant’s is small (Matthew 18:24, 28).
• The master asks, “Shouldn’t you also have had mercy?” (18:33).

Words, people and events to notice

Samaritan

A member of a people with whom Jews of Jesus’ day had long hostility. John 4:9

Understand

1. How does Jesus turn the lawyer’s question around?
2. What does the size difference of the debts in Matthew 18 teach?
3. What links the two parables?

Connect

• Micah 6:8

  Love mercy.

Reflect

1. Who is the “Samaritan” you find hardest to see as a neighbour?
2. Whom do you need to forgive?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• The question is not who deserves love but how to show it.
• Those forgiven much are called to forgive.

Read

Study objective: Study parables about waiting, faithfulness and judgment.

Reading: Matthew 25:14–46

Background and context

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells of servants entrusted with talents (large sums of money) and of the nations gathered before the Son of Man, who says that what was done for “the least of these” was done for him.

Observe

• Each servant receives according to ability (25:15).
• The servant who buried his talent was afraid (25:25).
• The righteous are surprised by what they did for Jesus (25:37-39).
• Care for the hungry, strangers, sick and prisoners is care for him (25:40).

Words, people and events to notice

Talent

A large unit of money in the ancient world, not an ability, though the English word comes from this parable. Matthew 25:15

Understand

1. What does the master commend in the faithful servants?
2. What drove the third servant’s choice?
3. How does 25:31-46 define faithfulness?

Connect

• Luke 12:35–48

  Being ready for the master’s return.

Reflect

1. What has been entrusted to you?
2. Where could you serve “the least of these” this week?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• Faithfulness uses what is entrusted, without fear.
• Serving those in need is serving Christ.