Study Guide
August 4- August 8

Today we will begin to study the parables of Jesus. By some counts there are as many as 57 parables of Jesus (the number depends upon how one is counting – others see as few as 30).  See: www.lifeofchrist.com/teachings/parables/ for a complete list.  Notice on that list, John only contains three parables – though John uses a host of analogies or metaphors to describe himself that were not included in that list (the “I am” sayings).  Between the sermons and the study guides, we will read most of the parables.

Monday, August 4. As we begin our study of parables read Matthew 13:10-15.  The parables were stories that could be understood by the simplest and most uneducated people, but they required a desire to heart, to understand, and a willingness to think about their meaning. And there was a measure of faith that was required. The religious leaders and skeptics often did not understand what Jesus was saying. Sometimes the disciples didn’t understand at first either. What did Jesus say in this passage about why he spoke in parables? It was not that people would not understand, but speaking in parables would itself be a way of separating those who had earnest hearts, willing to listen, and those whose hearts had been hardened and who only came to criticize. Pray that your heart might always be open to God, and that God would help you understand the parables, and his truths and will for your life.

Tuesday, August 5. Remember we learned that the context of a parable is important to understanding its meaning. Read Luke 15:1-2 where we find the context of the parable of the prodigal son. The three (or four, depending on how you count them) parables of Luke 15 are meant to address the question of why Jesus associated with sinners, and in at least one parable, to speak to whose who criticized him for it. Read Luke 15:3-7. Who is represented by the lost sheep?  If God is the shepherd (Jesus calls himself a “good shepherd” elsewhere in the gospels and God frequently is referred to as a shepherd in the Old Testament, as in Psalm 23), what does this parable tell us about God? Read Ezekiel 34:1-6 and 15-16. How does heaven respond when one lost sheep comes home? How are people like sheep who wander from the flock?  Do you know any lost sheep that God might use you to bring back home? Pray that God will use you to draw them to him.

Wednesday, August 6. What is the most valuable thing you’ve ever lost? How did you search for it? Did you ever find it? If so, how do you feel? Read Luke 15:8-10. The coin here would have been worth a day’s wages – for someone struggling to survive, this would have been a tremendous thing to lose. This woman actively searches for this lost coin. What does this parable tell us about the heart of God? About the mission of the church? How does thinking about something valuable you’ve lost help you understand this parable? Pray God might give you, and our church, a desire to search for the lost people to bring them home.  As we see our new sanctuary taking shape, we must never lose focus of why we are building – to have room for one more.  This building is for those yet to come to faith in Christ.  Will you partner with us in reaching out to the lost?

Thursday, August 7. As we prepare to read the climactic 3rd parable about the lost in Luke 15 – the parable of the prodigal son, note that this parable is really two parables in one – one which teaches about lost children, and the other that teaches about the Pharisees – the frequent subject of his parables. Re-read Luke 15:1-2. Now read Luke 15:11-12. The property divided was primarily the family farm – land – that the younger son proceeded to sell – which would have been irresponsible and would have grieved the father, while affecting the family business. Read Luke 15:13-16. How is this boy’s story like that of many people today? Look over your notes from Sunday’s message. Have you ever been the prodigal? Read Luke 15:17-20a. How does hardship sometimes move us toward God? In what way do we see repentance here? Would the boy have repented as long as everything was going okay? Read Luke 15:20b-24. What do you notice about the father in this passage? What is he like? What does he feel? What does that tell us about God?

Friday, August 8. Today we read part two of the parable of the prodigal which concerns the Pharisees. Re-read Luke 15:1-2. Now, read Luke 15:25-32. Put yourself in the position of the older son. Can you understand he feels? How is this like the Pharisees? Like us?