Parables of Jesus

Couples in Christ

The Parables of Jesus
Couples In Christ Study, Summer 2010

Jesus was a master story-teller. He often used parables, or figures of speech, and always used them to communicate eternal truths. Here are some types of parables, found in the New Testament, which He used:

1) Simile Stated likeness. “Shrewd as snakes” (Matt. 10:16).

Identified by the use of “like” or “as”.

2) Metaphor Implied likeness. “I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7)

3) Similitude Transference from common knowledge.

Based on what is generally done rather than on what was actually done. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour . . .” (Matt. 13:33)

4) Story Specific Verses what is generally done. Uses a specific incident and calls attention to what one person did. “There was a man who had two sons” (Luke 15:11). Jesus used this method the most.

Jesus always based His stories on reality, making it easy for a willing listener to hear the truth. The content of His stories was always familiar and in the range of possibility. (An allegory, conversely, is a story that is not based on reality, depending on the ingenuity of the hearer to discern the truth.) Approximately 1/3 of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels is in this form. Jesus emphasized the importance of words (we should really listen to His words). He used this teaching method for two reasons:

a. To reveal truth to some (believers).

b. To hide truth from others (non-believers).

He had a mixed audience. This method allowed Him to instruct believers, while not adding more responsibility to unbelievers (they would have gained more truth/judgment).

Each of us would be wise to weigh carefully what He says in His word (the Bible), and to follow through with what He says to do. When He tells a good story, sit quietly before Him and listen!

The parables can generally be classified in five categories:

1) The Cost of Discipleship

2) Marks of Spiritual Growth

3) Kingdom Insights

4) Parables Concerning Jesus Christ

5) Doctrinal Parables

We’ve selected seven of Jesus’ parables. The table below summarizes the theme and suggests a key application.

*Date*	*Parable Name*	*Scripture*	*Theme*	*Key Application*
7/25	The Good Samaritan	Luke 10:30-37	Living and thinking differently.	Following Jesus involves allowing Him to reprogram our approach to life.
8/1	The Ten Minas	Luke 19:11-27	Spiritual stewardship.	It matters to God how we invest our lives.
8/8	The Physician	Luke 4:23	Credibility is hard to come by on our home turf.	Nowhere will our lives be put under a glass more intensely than with our own family.
8/15	The Sower, the Seed, the Soils	Matt. 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-25, Luke 8:15-18	The reception of the message of Jesus.	May be a disciple of Christ, or an evangelical observation.
8/22	The Persistent Friend	Luke 11:1-10	Persistent in matters that matter.	If it is important enough to pray about, it is important enough not to forget what we asked for.
8/29	The Mustard Seed	Matt. 13:31-32	Faith.	Exercising your “measure of faith” will produce tremendous results!
9/5	The Watchful Owner and the Wise Servant	Matt. 24:42-51	Be alert! Be ready! Be faithful!	Keep an eye on what’s ahead, and then prepare for it. In the meantime, be faithful.

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