Parables
The parables that Jesus told were the hallmark of His teaching. They were so intrinsic and integral to His purposes that it is impossible to separate them from His message.
A parable is a short story that incorporates everyday events to illustrate a spiritual principle. It typically involves a character facing a moral dilemma or making a questionable decision and then suffering the consequences. Jesus used parables to illustrate a parallel between some aspect of everyday life on earth and a greater spiritual truth in God’s kingdom.
A parable has the aim of getting a single, emotional (or spiritual) point across. Those hearing the parable are supposed to get the main point, examine themselves, and then apply that point to their lives.
Jesus didn’t teach the way that many philosophers and religious figures do, using jargon that only experts can understand and incorporating difficult or abstract ideas into His message. Instead, most of the time He taught using simple, down-to-earth stories drawn from first-century rural Jewish culture, which made His teachings accessible to common people. He used parables to make important points, and they were instantly memorable. Even today, though we are vastly removed from Jesus’ time and geography, once we’ve heard His parables, it’s hard to forget them.
Lesson 1: A Call to All People (Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:20-45)
Lesson 3: Call to a Greater Righteousness (Matthew 5:21-48, Luke 27-35)
Lesson 4: Don't Be Religious & How to Pray (Matthew 6:1-18)
Lesson 5: Wealth and Worry (Matthew 6:19-34)
The parables that Jesus told were the hallmark of His teaching. They were so intrinsic and integral to His purposes that it is impossible to separate them from His message.
A parable is a short story that incorporates everyday events to illustrate a spiritual principle. It typically involves a character facing a moral dilemma or making a questionable decision and then suffering the consequences. Jesus used parables to illustrate a parallel between some aspect of everyday life on earth and a greater spiritual truth in God’s kingdom.
A parable has the aim of getting a single, emotional (or spiritual) point across. Those hearing the parable are supposed to get the main point, examine themselves, and then apply that point to their lives.
Jesus didn’t teach the way that many philosophers and religious figures do, using jargon that only experts can understand and incorporating difficult or abstract ideas into His message. Instead, most of the time He taught using simple, down-to-earth stories drawn from first-century rural Jewish culture, which made His teachings accessible to common people. He used parables to make important points, and they were instantly memorable. Even today, though we are vastly removed from Jesus’ time and geography, once we’ve heard His parables, it’s hard to forget them.
Lesson 1: A Call to All People (Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:20-45)
- Parable of the blind man (Luke 6:39)
- Parable of the pupil and the teacher (Luke 6:40)
Lesson 3: Call to a Greater Righteousness (Matthew 5:21-48, Luke 27-35)
Lesson 4: Don't Be Religious & How to Pray (Matthew 6:1-18)
Lesson 5: Wealth and Worry (Matthew 6:19-34)
- Parable of Treasure in Heaven (19-21)
- Parable of the Body (22-23)
- Parable of the Two Masters (24)
- Parable of the Birds & Lilies (25-34)
- Parable of the Plank in Your Own Eye (Matthew 7-5, Luke 6:41-42)
- Parable of Casting Pearls Before Swine (Matthew 7:6)
- Parable of the Broad & Narrow Ways (Matthew 7: 13-14)
- Parable of Wolf in Sheep's Closing, Knowing Tree by Its Fruit (false prophets)
(Matthew 7:15-23, Luke 6:43-44) - Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49)