The Parables of Jesus - part 1

Pray - Pray for a blessing to understand God's Word and that you will learn and hold onto what God has to say to you. Introduction About the parables of Jesus Covering a few weeks We will do 3 to 4 every Sunday morning You will need a journal or notebook

The Parables Dinner Guests - (Luke 14:15-24) Setting Where a house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees (v.1) When Took place on the Sabbath Spoken to a man at the table with Jesus at the man's house Why parable is told This parable is a reply to a comment the man sitting with Jesus makes. Explain a prominent man sends out invitations to a great feast everyone that was initially invited finds excuses as to why they cannot accept the invite the man/host then extends the invitation to any and all who will come he then proclaims that all who were initially invited will not be able to attend (they had missed their chance)

Comparing (Discussion) Discuss what Jesus meant in his parable. Compare the actual people and settings used in the parable to explain what and who Jesus was actually referring to. Banquet host (God) Servant (The Apostles) Great Supper (Salvation in Christ) Those who rejected (Jews mainly, but anyone who declined the invitation of salvation in Christ Jesus)

Modernizing Questions 1. The banquet host has and always will be God. 2. The great supper is and remains to be the salvation offered through Christ. 3. Who might a modern day servant be? 4. What might a modern day servant do? 5. The Jews were the main group referred to that declined the invitations. Who would refuse or deny that same invitation today? 6. What might be some excuses people would use today?

Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9) Setting Where amongst a crowd that included the disciples When shortly after leaving the dinner at the Pharisee's house Spoken to the crowd and the disciples Why being told a response to a comment made by some in the crowd. The comment Luke 13:1 The response Luke 13:2-5 **NOTE** The parable then backs up the response Explain a man owned a garden in the garden grew a tree the tree had no fruit the owner wanted the tree cut down the man who took care of the garden interceded to save the tree asking for one more chance to help it yield fruit

Comparing (Discussion) Discuss what Jesus meant in his parable. Compare the actual people and settings used in the parable to explain what and who Jesus was actually referring to. Owner of the garden (God) Vineyard or garden (the earth or the world)

Fig Tree (us, humans) Fruit (the good works that happen as a result of God's will) The man who takes care of the garden or vineyard (Jesus) Modernizing Questions 1. If you were to retell this parable in your own words, what objects and people would work well in comparison with the original one that was told? 2. As Christians a direct result of our salvation, dedication to Christ, and living out God's will results in us bearing fruit for God. Give some examples of fruit that a Christian can bear. 3. Looking at verses 8 and 9 explain what that means in regards to Jesus and us. Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21) Setting Where amongst the crowd and disciples When after the dinner with Pharisee Spoken to - the crowd and the disciples Why Spoken A man in the crowd asks Jesus to settle a dispute between him and his brother concerning and inheritance. -Jesus responds with verses 14 and 15 -He then tells the following parable to further illustrate his point Explain a rich man had an abundant harvest the man worried about storing his riches he went to the extreme of tearing down his barns and replacing them with bigger ones he did so with the intention of making the remainder of his life easy for himself God proclaimed the man to be foolish, because he sought to store up wealth that would not last past his earthly life

Comparing (Discussion) Rich man (celebrities, executives, etc.) Abundant harvest (wealth, fame, etc.) Modernizing Questions 1. How might someone today store up an abundant harvest?

2. Why would they do that? 3. Is it right or wrong? Explain. 4. Looking at verses 20 and 21 what does Jesus say that God says about those who are greedy with their over abundance? Worksheet cover everything on the accompanying worksheet. If you do not have the worksheet you can get it here. Prayer Closing prayer.