Everyone loves a good story. To sit and listen in awe and amazement as the story, its characters and plots come to life in one’s imagination as you envision the scene playing out in your mind’s eye… What an awesome experience!
A lot of those imaginative qualities of bygone eras have seemed to dwindle some as people and generations have become accustomed to instant ways to satisfy that need to escape into a good story, if only but for a moment.
Most stories today are written, read, watched, or played out for purely entertainment reasons. But when Jesus told a story, He wasn’t worried about providing people a temporary flight into the fantasy. His stories, which we have come to know them as being parables, are like a good bowl of hot, homemade oatmeal – they stick to you.
And that stickage, was and is, for a purpose. He had lessons about this life and relating to people; lessons about the Kingdom of God and eternity that He wanted people to lay hold of. Not just to pass a story along, but to apply to one’s life that it might do the hearer a world of good both now and forever.
In this new series, I have grouped some of Jesus’ Parables together to be used as individual lessons, or, as the title suggests, as a series. Below you will find six links to six of the parables I have covered. At a future date, I will cover and add more to the list and update you when that happens.
As always, while I provide resources and activities for lessons and lesson development, I encourage my readers to do their own personal studies as well.
To access the lessons, simply click on the links below.
Loving people; serving them and treating them as one would want to be treated is a priority for living as God’s people and serving Him. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us how this love and concern we are to have for others can cross barriers to just do what is right to help others.
Prayer is more important than most people believe. Prayer, for the Christian, is more than just requesting from God, it’s more than petitioning and supplication. It is a place of comfort where we can unload the heaviness within. It is a source we can rely on when fighting against the adversities that are without. It is a little sanctuary in the big mess of this world where we can meet with our Creator one on one and know that we are heard. And, Jesus teaches us how to do it right.
Not only does Jesus teach us how to do it right, but using the parable of the Friend at Midnight in the middle of His instructions, Jesus teaches us that we must have persevering prayer.
So many are running after the here and now reward. They are seeking a temporary reward hoping for eternal benefits. This is not how it happens in God’s economy for if one has already lifted themselves in the front of others then they have their reward (see Matthew 6:2). But, if one works with the love of Christ in showing the same humility He lived, they have a day coming where they will reap the benefits of those seeds of humility they planted in the lives of others.
In this parable, Jesus teaches about guests who are invited and seek to exalt themselves when they vie for the best places to sit. He also covers in this parable the need to treat others fairly and look to invite those who could never pay you back.
Every time someone leaves the world of sin behind and comes back to the Father, He is overjoyed. Heaven is singing and shouting praises. People matter to God. Lost people are loved by God. His strongest desire is to see them come back home in His loving arms where they belong. What an eye-opening picture the story of the Prodigal Son presents and encourages every soul to turn to God today. The Father is waiting to receive you!
One day Jesus is coming back. Until then, keep praying and don’t give up! Your heavenly Father hears every cry uttered from your lips and spoken silently in your heart. You are loved, my friend. Let your faith rise in your Savior today and believe in His love and power at work in your life. Keep on keeping on. Always pray and not faint! May the parable of the Persistent Widow encourage you today!
There is going to be a great, heavenly celebration one day. Will you be there? Have you answered Jesus’ invitation to come? The Parable of the Great Banquet gives a hardy story of many who are called but begin to make excuses for why they can’t come. When they refused to commit and follow through, the master of the house called for those who would normally be overlooked. Don’t let outward appearances fool you. Heaven is going to be full of people who others would discount, but had a receptive heart to the call of Christ.
I hope you enjoy these lessons. My prayer is that these lessons will be helpful to you personally or to use in your own classroom settings. I have a few more series in progress and to work on before we reach the end of the year. Until next time, many blessings to you all!
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