Study Guide
August 11- August 15

Monday, August 11- This week we will focus on Jesus’ parables related to demonstrating compassion to those in need. These parables teach us about God’s will, and describe what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Pray and invite God to speak to you personally through these stories. Read Luke 10:25-37. Look over yesterday’s sermon notes. How are you ever tempted to be like the priest and the Levite? What did you learn about Samaritans in the sermon? How do you think Jesus’ hearers felt – both the ordinary Jews, and the religious leaders, when he told them this parable? How might this parable have contributed to his death? According to Jesus, who is your neighbor? What is God’s word to you through this parable? Children: How can you be a Good Samaritan at school? At home?

Tuesday, August 12- Today we turn to Jesus’ parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Read Luke 16:19-30. This is a parable - not an actual story. This is a different Lazarus from the man who Jesus raised from the dead in John’s gospel. This story is very graphic. Was the rich man in hell solely because he was rich? Or was there another issue? What do you think he would have said to his brothers had he been able to go back and warn them? How does this parable relate to the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Children: What should the rich man have done for Lazarus? After a life of suffering, how did Lazarus feel in heaven?

Wednesday, August 13- Today’s parable deals with riches and generosity. Be sure to note the context and what precipitates Jesus’ parable: Read Luke 12:13-21 This parable is not so much about helping the poor, but hoarding what we have and forgetting that our wealth is a tool for serving God and fulfilling his purposes for our lives. How are we tempted to be like this man who built ever bigger barns? Do you think Jesus intended to teach that we should not save money or plan for our retirement? If not, what is he teaching against here? Children: What happens to our money and toys and things when we die? Why was this man so foolish in the parable?

Thursday, August 14- Today’s parables are found near the end of the passage of scripture – the parable of the eye of the needle, and the parable of the hundred fold return. Some would not see these as parables but as figures of speech. In either case they are earthly ways of thinking about spiritual truths. Read Matthew 19:16-30. Notice the similarity between the opening verse and question of this passage and Luke 10:25 which begins the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Do you think Jesus is teaching that everyone who wants to follow him must sell all they have and give it to the poor?  What is he teaching? What affect can our money and possessions have on our spiritual lives – either positively or negatively? Why is it hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God?  Notice it is hard, but not impossible. How does this story relate back to the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Children: What do you think Jesus means when he talks about “treasures in heaven”? Why do you think riches can make it hard for someone to go to heaven?

Friday, August 15- Our final parable this week is concerning the Last Judgment – the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Notice the criteria by which Jesus will judge the nations – how will he determine who goes to heaven and who does not, according to this parable? Notice that those who go to heaven seem to be surprised. So are those who are sent to the abyss. Why? Does this parable mean that we are saved by our works, and not by our faith? Why do you think Jesus told this parable? What is God’s word to you? Children: How can you live like sheep instead of goats? What kinds of things does this parable ask us to do? If someone forgot their lunch at school, how could you help them? If someone were sick in your school, what might you do for them? Ask your mom or dad how you as a family can help people who are in need. Email Rev. Gatlin with your ideas kyle@covenantdothan.org