Matthew 13 - Parables

Demonstrate Christ-centered love, obedience, respect in all your life roles Col 3:18 – 4:1 Stewardship WHAT IS A PARABLE? “Earthly stories with a heavenly meaning” WHY DID JESUS USE PARABLES?  Easy to remember  Provoke thought and imagination  Clarify “A decision must be made” MATTHEW 13:10-15 (NIV) The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 10 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. 11 Hea r Living Don ’t hea Mercy r “Peelin g an onion” Anothe r day Word MATTHEW 13: 18-23 (NIV) “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” 18 MATTHEW 13: 18-23 (NIV) The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” 31 MATTHEW 13: 18-23 (NIV) The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 45 OUTLINE – MATTHEW 13 I. Parables used by Jesus A. To truly spark deep thinking and understanding of his teaching B. To show mercy to those who don’t know or willing to accept his truth II. Parable of the Sower A. Seed along path B. Seed on rocky ground C. Seed among thorns D. Seed on good soil III. Parable of Mustard Seed A. Size and growth of the seed represents our faith and spiritual maturity B. Faith can lead to our ability to be a foundation in God’s kingdom on earth IV. Parables of Hidden Treasure and the Pearl A. Kingdom of heaven truly is a treasure or a pearl worth dedicating all that we have B. Do we truly see and recognize that – then it will be a foundation to understand it DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Are there certain parables that still confuse you but you might have been afraid to ask or need help? 2. Which of the parables might be your favorite or speak to you the most? 3. Which seed do you most relate and why? 4. Which do you see your friends and family in the Parable of the Sower and how might you help? 5. Do you struggle to treat the kingdom of God and Jesus as the treasure in your life? How?