2014 Winter 930 Pastor`s Class

9:30 Pastor’s Class
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The Parables of Jesus
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Winter/Spring 2014
9:30 Pastors Class, Spring 2014
The Parables of Jesus
Date
1
1/12
2
1/19
3
1/26
Reference(s)
Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49
Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23; Mark 4:19; 13-20; Luke 8:4-8; 11-15
Commentary
TOPIC
TEACHER
9-22
Introduction
Smith
23-25
Two Builders
Smith
30-40
Sower
Smith
41-64
The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Yancey
4
2/2
Mark 4:26-29; Matthew 13:24-30; 3643; Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32;
Luke 13:18-19; Matthew 13:33; Luke
13:20-21; Matthew 13:44-46;
Matthew 13:44-46
5
2/9
Matthew 18:21-35
65-70
Unforgiving Servant
Smith
6
2/16
71-78
Workers in the Vineyard
Fanara
7
2/23
82-90
Tenants
Shoultz
8
3/2
Matthew 20:1-16
Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12;
Luke 20:9-19
Matthew 25:14-30
119-125
Talents
Smith
9
3/9
Luke 10:25-37
140-147
Good Samaritan
Yancey
10 3/23
Luke 11:1-13
148-150
Friend at Midnight
Smith
11 3/30
Luke 12:13-21
151-154
Rich Fool
Fanara
12
4/6
Luke 14:1-14
158-160
Places of Honor at the Table
Smith
13 4/13
Luke 15:11-32
176-186
Lost Son
Smith
Luke 16:19-31
194-201
Rich Man and Lazarus
Shoultz
5/4
Luke 18:1-8
184-196
Unjust Judge
Smedley
16 5/11
Luke 18:9-14
196-207
Pharisee and Tax Collector
Smith
3/16
4/20
14 4/27
15
Reading List
PRIMARY TEXTS:
Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
The Greek New Testament, 4th revised edition. B. Aland, K. Aland, J. Karavidopoulos, C. M.
Martini, and B. M. Metzger (Eds.). New York: United Bible Societies, 1983.
SECONDARY TEXTS:
THE PARABLES OF JESUS TEXTBOOK:
Kistemaker, Simon J. The Parables: Understanding the Stories Jesus Told. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Books, 1980.
RECOMMENDED COMMENTARIES AND SURVEYS:
Arnold, Clinton, Ed. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke,
Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002.
Boice, James Montgomery. The Parables of Jesus. Chicago: Moody Press, 1983.
Carson, D. A., Moo, Douglas J., and Morris, Leon. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992.
Green, Joel B., McKnight, Scot, and Marsha, I. Howard, Eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.
Snodgrass, Kyle R. Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus. Grand
Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.
Wenham, David. The Parables of Jesus. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989.
Questions for Lesson 1 ~ January 12, 2014
Introduction
1. Get to know each other at your tables! Meet new people and learn what
everyone did over the Christmas holidays. Go over answers to the crossword
puzzle on the following pages (they key is at the back of the packet).
2. Discuss your background (if any) in studying Jesus’ parables. In your opinion,
why did Jesus tell parables and what do they have to teach us today?
3. Parables tell us about God without talking directly about Him. What movies,
novels, musicians, artists, etc. have done this for you? How? Do you have a
favorite parable from the Gospels? If so, why is it your favorite?
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The Parables of Jesus Crossword Puzzle
Pastors Class
*Keyed to the NIV translation
Spring 2014
*The NIV version is used in Kistemaker’s, “The
Parables: Understanding the Stories Jesus
Told,” which is the commentary for the class.
2
Across
2. Not cutting down the fig tree that bears no fruit
demonstrates God's ____ (Luke 13:6-9)
6. When the Son of Man comes in His Glory He will
put the sheep on His right and these on His left
(Matt. 25:31-46)
7. Use worldly wealth to gain these (Luke 16:1-9)
8. He is the one who sowed good seed (Matt. 13:3643) {3 words}
9. A wise man builds his house on a (Matt.. 7:24-27)
12. To everyone who has, more will be _______(
Luke 19:11-27)
13. The neighbor to the man who fell in the hands
of robbers (Luke 10:25-37)
16. They along with the Tax Collectors will enter
the Kingdom of God ahead of many of the Chief
Priests and Elders (Matt. 21:28-32)
18. The Son of Man will come at the hour when you
do not _____Him (Matt. 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40)
20. Heaven and earth will pass away but not God's
____ ( Matt. 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:19-33)
21. Seed that falls on good ground will multiply
this many times (Matt. 13:1-9; Mk. 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-8)
22. When someone invites you to a wedding feast,
do not take the place of ____ (Luke 14:7-14)
25. He will leave the ninety-nine to find just ____
(Matt.18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7)
26. The landowner paid every worker in his
vineyard a _________ (Matt. 20:1-16)
28. God justified the tax collector but not him (Luke
18:9-14)
29. Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in
the Kingdom of ____ (Luke 14:15-24)
32. So, the last will be first, and the first will be
(Matt. 20:1-16)
33. There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels
of God over one sinner who _____ (Luke 15:8-10)
34. To be His disciple we must give up_____ (Luke
14:28-33)
36. Christians are likened to this mineral substance
(Matt. 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35)
37. She who has been forgiven much loves____
(Luke 7:36-50)
38. The number of times you should forgive others
(Matt. 18:21-35) {2 words}
Down
1. The unjust judge said, "Even though I don't fear
God, or care about men, yet because she keeps
bothering me, I will see that she gets _______"
(Luke 18:1-8)
3. If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets,
even if someone rises from the dead the rich man's
brothers will not be_____(Luke 16:19-31)
4. We sang a dirge, but you did not do this (Luke
7:31-35)
5. "... this brother of yours was dead and is alive
again; he was lost and is_____" Luke 15:11-32)
10. The stone which the builders rejected became
this (Matt. 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:919,Psalm 118:22-23)
11. The Kingdom of Heaven is like this small seed
(Matt. 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19)
14. At that time the Kingdom of Heaven will be like
ten of these (Matt. 25:1-13)
15. God said to him, "This very night your life will
be demanded from you." (Luke 12:13-21) {2 words}
17. If we as servants do everything we are told we
are still ____ servants (Luke 17:7-10)
19. Many are invited to the wedding feast, but few
are (Matt. 22:1-14)
23. Because of a man's boldness his neighbor will
give him as much as he _____ (Luke 11:5-8)
24. The servant who received one of these hid it in
the ground (Matt. 25:14-30)
27. The Kingdom of Heaven is like this device used
by fishermen (Matt. 13:47-50)
30. We played a flute, but you did not do this
(Matt. 11:16-19)
31. The Kingdom of Heaven is like this (Matt. 13:33;
Luke 13:20-21)
35. Be ready, keep watch, only the Father knows,
the ____ (Matt. 13:32-37)
3
Questions for Lesson 2 ~ January 19, 2014
Two Builders
Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49
1. What planning goes into finding a good site for your tent versus where you
might build a house?
2. What does Mark 2:3-4 tell us about home construction in Israel during the time of
Jesus’ day?
3. How might you explain the differences between how Matthew and Luke word
this parable? Do their differences alter the meaning?
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4. How does this parable echo Ezekiel 13:10-16?
5. According to this parable, what is the relationship between Jesus’ words and our
lives? What does this teach us about the power and preciousness of words?
6. Can you say you believe Jesus’ words if you don’t do them?
5
Questions for Lesson 3 ~ January 26, 2014
Sower
Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23; Mark 4:1-9; 13-20; Luke 8:4-8; 11-15
1. Read Matthew 13 all the way from vv. 1-23. Do you think Jesus intends to make
things clear or obscure by telling stories (or both)? Explain.
2. Where is the principle of sowing and reaping most real to you in your past or
present experience? Is this principle hard to understand in a non-agrarian
society?
3. Look over Luke 7:18 – 8:3. Given this context of those who are responding
positively to Jesus, what might He be saying through the parable in Luke 8:4-8?
How is this instructing his disciples for their future ministry?
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4. Do you think “Parable of the Sower” is the most descriptive title of the story?
What other titles might be appropriate given what it is about?
5. Elaborate on each of the soils in this parable.
6. How does this parable help us understand our response to the Word of God?
How does it provide hope and a warning to those in the church?
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Questions for Lesson 4 ~ February 2, 2014
The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Mark 4:26-29; Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43; Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32;
Luke 13:18-19; Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21; Matthew 13:44-46; Matthew
13:44-46
1. What do all of these parables have in common?
2. What do these parables teach us about the Kingdom of God?
3. What does the parable of The Wheat and the Weeds (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43) teach
us about the presence of evil in this current age? What forces are currently at
play influencing events? When will all things come to be judged and ultimately
made right?
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4. In light of the parable of The Treasure (Matt 13:44) and the parable of The Pearl
(Matt 13:45-46), what does it mean for you to treasure God and the gospel? How
would you present the gospel to others in a way that made it appear to be a
treasure?
5. Consider the notion of "small beginnings" in the parable of The Mustard Seed
(Matt 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-23; Luke 13:18-19) and the parable of The Leaven
(Matt 13:33; Luke 13:20-21). Where do we see this principle elsewhere in the
Scriptures? Where have you seen it in your life or in church history?
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Questions for Lesson 5 ~ February 9, 2014
Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-35
1. Given the surrounding context of Matthew 18:15-20 and 19:1-12, what issue is
Jesus highlighting in this section of Matthew’s Gospel?
2. Who is Jesus speaking to in this parable? Does it have direct relevance to you?
3. Based on texts like Job 33:29-30 and Amos 1:3-13, the rabbis of Judaism taught
that one must forgive up to three times. Peter wants to extent this numerical
principle. How does Jesus counteract this approach?
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4. Relate “king”, “servants”, and “accounts” to our relationship with God.
5. Knowing that the phrase “10,000 talents” is basically an inestimable amount and
that “100 denarii” is equivalent to three months wages, how do you view what
the forgiven servant did to his fellow servant? How does reflecting on “debt”
and “forgiveness” in our relationship with God help us relate to others?
6. Have you ever said you’ve forgiven someone but not done it “from the heart”?
What’s the difference?
11
Questions for Lesson 6 ~ February 16, 2014
Workers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20:1-16
1. In 20:1-2, what is the subject that Christ intends to describe by the parable? Who
are the main characters? What agreement is to be made?
2. In 20:3-7, what does the landlord see and do in the marketplace? How often does
he visit the marketplace during the day?
3. In 20:8, what does the landlord instruct his foreman to do? Why is this verse so
central? Compare this verse with Matthew 19:30 and Matthew 20:16. Why do we
find these verses so paradoxical and difficult to understand?
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4. In 20:9-10, how did the landlord compensate the workers who were hired last?
How does the landlord compensate the workers who were hired first?
5. In 20:11-13, what was the reaction of the workers who were hired first? What did
they think the landlord owed them? How did the landlord respond? Who was
right? Why?
6. What does this parable teach us about God, and the Kingdom of God? About
God’s grace? About how God cares for His people? Reread and compare again
Matthew 19:30 and Matthew 20:16. What word is used in 19:30 that should give
us great encouragement?
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Questions for Lesson 7 ~ February 23, 2014
Tenants
Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19
1. Have you ever had a tenant or been a tenant? What is an ideal tenant like?
2. Try and connect as many analogies within this parable as you can (for example:
Landowner = God; Vineyard = ?; Tenants = ?; 2 Groups of Servants = ?; Vineyard
Owner’s Son = ?; Killing of the Son = ?; Others?).
3. With whom did this parable hit home (see, for example, Mark 11:27)? Why?
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4. In what ways is this parable about rejection?
5. What do we learn about God (the Landowner) from the various parts of this
parable?
6. How does this parable provide hope and a warning for you?
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Questions for Lesson 8 ~ March 2, 2014
Talents
Matthew 25:14-30
1. What does “talent” mean today? What did it mean in the New Testament?
2. The parable of the talents comes during the fifth of Jesus’ discourses in Matthew,
shortly following his “Olivet apocalypse” (24:1-35). After reading chapter 24,
who do you think the master is in this parable? What does his return refer to?
Who was Jesus speaking to? (cf. 24:3; 25:14.)
3. What kind of relationship is shared between the three different servants and the
master? Are they mere servants? Is he a tyrant? What is the dynamic between
them?
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4. What is revealed in this parable regarding the servants’ attitudes? How does
your attitude affect your work for Christ’s kingdom?
5. What do we learn about the master based on his responses to the servants?
6. How might you improve in stewarding the gifts that God has given you? Give
specifics.
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Questions for Lesson 9 ~ March 9, 2014
Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
1. Examine and discuss some of the Old Testament underpinnings of this parable:
Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 (love commands); Leviticus 18:5; 21:1-5;
and 22:1-9 (laws of cleanness for priests); Numbers 19:11-16; 2 Chronicles 28:1-15;
Hosea 6:1-11; 2 Kings 17:24-34 (we have to use some caution in equating the
Samaritans in this text with later Samaritans). See also Isaiah 58:5-9 and Micah
6:8.
2. How does one avoid moralism or a works based righteousness when
approaching the application of this parable?
3. How does this parable relate to the following two passages: Luke 6:32-36 and
Matthew 18:21-35?
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4. Describe the relations between Jews and Samaritans. How does this parable
confront the sin of racism? Where does racism still exist in today's society? Who
would be the modern day equivalent to the Samaritan in your world?
(Answering the final question will require a setting of courage and grace.)
5. Discuss your understanding of the relationship between the ministry of the
Word (evangelism) and the ministry of Deed (ministries of mercy).
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Questions for Lesson 10 ~ March 23, 2014
Friend at Midnight
Luke 11:1-13
1. Are you tempted to depersonalize God in prayer? When are your prayers most
authentic and honest and personal?1
2. Why do you think the disciples asked Jesus to pray when they had the Psalms as
a rich prayer book? How are the Psalms similar to the prayer Jesus taught them?
How are they different?
3. How is our relationship with the Father in prayer similar to Jesus’? How is it
different?
1
This question and several that follow were adapted from Eugene Peterson & Peter Santucci’s Tell it Slant: Study
Guide. Grand Rapid, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.
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4. How does “preaching” in our praying ruin prayer? How do we better keep
before us the One to whom we are praying?
5. Do you have a tendency to pray for “spiritual” things and not physical things
(such as food, clothing, money, etc.)? How does praying for mundane things like
bread change our relationship with God?
6. In what areas of your life do you have special expertise or competence? Do you
find that your ability affects your praying? How can you foster a poverty
perspective that deepens your prayer life?
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Questions for Lesson 11 ~ March 30, 2014
Rich Fool
Luke 12:13-21
1. In Luke 12:13 Jesus’ discourse is interrupted by someone in the crowd. What is
the main concern of this man? Was he asking Jesus or ordering Jesus? (In order to
obtain a good knowledge of the context you should also read Luke 11:53 through
Luke 12:12.)
2. How does Jesus respond to the questioner in 12:14? What warning does Jesus
give to all who are in attendance in 12:15?
3. Who is the focus of the man in Luke 12:16-18? To whom does he speak? How
often does he use the words “I” and “my” in his discussion?
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4. What does Jesus call the rich man in Luke 12:20? Compare Psalm 41:1, Psalm
53:1, and Matthew 6:24. How do these verses apply to the rich man?
5. Who provided the good crop in verse 12:16? What does this say about the
wisdom of the world versus the wisdom of God?
6. What do the verses in 1 Timothy 6:10 and Acts 5:3-4 indicate about having
wealth or prosperity? How should the Christian use their gifts, prosperity and
wealth?
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Questions for Lesson 12 ~ April 6, 2014
Places of Honor at the Table
Luke 14:1-14
1. With all the grace we receive as Christians day after day, how do we continue to
hunger and thirst after righteousness?
2. When was the last time you were a guest at a meal? How would you describe
your host’s hospitality? What is required to be a good host and a hospitable
guest?
3. In what ways is the Sabbath a gift of hospitality by God to us? How does it move
us from host/doer to guest/receiver?
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4. How hospitable is our congregations to guests and to one another?
5. If the Pharisees betrayed the Sabbath by trying to “protect” it, how do we betray
Jesus, the Church, or worship in our attempts to protect them?
6. How might our hospitality change, whether in our homes or at church, if we
were to receive every guest as we would receive Christ?
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Questions for Lesson 13 ~ April 13, 2014
Lost Son
Luke 15:11-32
1. How might each figure in Jesus’ parable reflect his audience?
2. Are both the “prodigal” son and “good” son in this parable lost? Explain.
3. Is it possible to be a people of righteousness but not self-righteousness? Explain.
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4. What role does regular confession have in reducing self-righteous impulses?
5. What do we learn about God from the father in this parable? How do we
cultivate his character within the church?
6. Is “murmuring” a particular sin of church people? What are we most tempted to
grumble about?
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Questions for Lesson 14 ~ April 27, 2014
Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
1. Why do you think it is Lazarus that is named and not the rich man, when it is the
rich man, not Lazarus, who does the speaking and acting?
2. Due to his standing, Lazarus was an “invisible” man in his society. Who are
invisible in our society, and why are we tempted to ignore them?
3. What does this parable teach about the real meaning of “this life”?
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4. How is this story really about the rich man’s brothers?
5. Using this text and any others you can think of, how would you explain a biblical
theology of wealth?
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Questions for Lesson 15 ~ May 4, 2014
Unjust Judge
Luke 18:1-8
1. Have you read any books on prayer? Have they been helpful, or have they made
prayer more difficult? Explain.
2. Have you ever grown discouraged in prayer because of the lack of an answer?
How did you “fight through” that discouragement?
3. How is the “unjust judge” a striking teaching tool to teach us about our God?
Why does Jesus sometimes teach this way?
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4. Will God bring justice for His people in this life or the next or both? Explain.
5. What is disobedient persistent prayer versus obedient persistent prayer? Have
you observed the difference in your own life?
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Questions for Lesson 16 ~ May 11, 2014
Pharisee and Tax Collector
Luke 18:9-14
1. What are right reasons for going to church? Are there wrong reasons? Explain.
2. How easy is it for you to “pray” without actually praying, that is, speaking and
listening to a God who speaks to and listens to us? Why is it easy to slip into a
type of prayer that never actually engages God as a person?
3. Spiritual hypocrisy can be easy to hide. What are the more common forms that
are also easily hidden?
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4. If spiritual hypocrisy is difficult to self-diagnose, what do we need in our lives in
order to help us not slip into this sin?
5. Are expressions of prayer or spiritual need such as seen in this tax collector
welcome in our church? Why or why not?
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Answer Key to The Parables of Jesus Puzzle
Puzzle created by Phil Fanara.
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