NAME: Jenna DeFosse and Simonne Vincent

Parables in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew

Read the following Parables and answer the questions for each (on a piece of looseleaf,
to be turned in, work in trios)
1. Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3- 7)
After you have read this parable, explain the surface message and then the
underlying meaning. Every person has value and everyone is important in Gods eyes
If you had 100 sheep and one was missing, would you go look for it? no
o Or would you think, I have 99 so why look for the lost one? Yes, I would not worry
Who was going to watch the 99 sheep while the shepherd was gone? No one
What does this story tell us about Gods love for us? God loves everyone, including the
sinners
Why do you think Jesus told this parable? Jesus wanted to prove to the people that
Gods love is for the sinners as well as everyone else. God will search out for the sinners to
bring them back to them. He will not ignore them.
What does it mean to you today? We should reach out to the poor in spirit. Do not just be
good to the good people, be good to the not-so-good people too.
Try retelling it in modern words.
o Is there anything in your life or in the media that might suggest looking for the
lost at any cost? If one student in the class is failing, attempt to help him, even if
the rest of the class is doing perfectly fine
2. Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matt 13: 31-32)
What are these parables about? The kingdom of God is always growing. It is humble and
small, but it becomes the mightiest
What is the kingdom of heaven like? The mustard seed
Tiny Seed
What is the smallest seed? Mustard seed
Why is a mustard seed like the kingdom of heaven? It is humble but it becomes great
What are we to learn from a small seed becoming a large tree? In time, small things grow
into great things. The kingdom of God is patient and will wait for as long as it has to, to
become mighty
What does it have to do with us and the kingdom of heaven? Faith begins small, but if
you cultivate it and put your trust in God, it will grow
How can you apply this parable today? Small prayers can have big impact
Leaven
Why is leaven like the kingdom of heaven? God is like the yeast that raises you up
Have you ever seen anyone bake bread? yes
What ingredients do they use? Yeast, flour, water, flower, milk
How much flour did the woman use? 3 measures of meal
How much flour is three measures? Some say 50 pounds, others 80 pounds,
approximately enough flour to make 100 loaves of bread that sounds more like a bakery
than a kitchen at home
What is most like leaven when we bake bread? yeast
Have you ever seen yeast? yes
Why is it important? It makes the bread rise
How does this affect how we live? We would be eating flat bread, or entering a Kingdom
that is not Holy like God
Who would represent the flour in our lives? Our faith
Who would represent the yeast? God
What does this say about our world and our place in it? We need each other, God, and
our faith to rise up to heaven

3. Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Read Matt 7:24-27)

What is a parable? A parable is a word-picture which uses an image or story to illustrate
a truth or lesson. -Schwager
What are comparable to parables today? euphemism
Describe what makes a man wise. Using his knowledge to make decisions
What makes a man foolish? Disregarding common sense and the knowledge given to us
from God
Which type of house would you build? rock
Where shouldn't you build a house? On the sand
Why shouldnt we build on sand? Because the winds will blow the house over
What is sand thinking and acting like? Being foolish and unfaithful
What is rock thinking? Believing in the power of God
Why is "rock" thinking better than "sand" thinking? Because God is always right
What was Jesus teaching us? Even when we doubt God, he is watching out for us so we
should get the faith
What kind of a foundation have you established with God? I have established a good
relationship with god. Like the rock house
4. Parable of the Sower (Read Matt 13: 1-23)
Why did Jesus speak to the people using parables? [Matt 13:10-17] because the stories
about God connect with daily life
What is the meaning of the parable of the sower and the seeds? [Matt 13:18-23] the
people that hear the word of God and actually understand it have the greatest faith and
KEEP it
How could you explain that story today? When studying for a test, it is better to space out
the studying and actually understand it and do well on the test as well as knowing and
retaining the information later on
What are some of the cares of the world? Money, power
Who tries to take the seed out of the heart? The devil
What is stony thinking? [Ever think of it as Yes, but? We say Yes, God exists, but
I still have this problem] doubting god
What kind of thorny experiences keep the Word of God from growing in us? [Im too
busy to read the Bible today. I dont have time to pray.]
How can we be rich soil for the Word of God to be planted in? have an open mind and do
good works
Are you willing to let the Word grow in you? yes
How will you do that? Make myself like the good soil and open to Gods calling
5. Parables of the Treasure and Pearl (Matt 13: 44-46)
Treasure Hid in a Field
Explain this parable about the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God will receive those
who are good
What does the hidden treasure represent? The kingdom of God
Would it be honest to find something in a field and then go buy the land? Why or why
not? Yes, because you find something good and want to cultivate it
Have you ever found any treasure? no
What do you treasure in your life right now? Friends, family, school
Merchant Seeking Goodly Pearls
Explain this parable about the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God is searching for
the good people of the world
What would be a pearl for which it was worth selling all you had? The kingdom of heaven
What is Jesus asking us to do? Once we find the kingdom of heaven, we should give up
everything we have for it

 What should we be cherishing? We should cherish the moment we find God and his
kingdom
Are we willing to give up everything for the kingdom of heaven? Maybe- we should be.
But it is hard for us to do that
Does giving up everything mean that we stop having a good life, fun, or nice
things? No, giving up everything for the kingdom of heaven means giving up vices
and becoming a good person so we can enjoy the kingdom of heaven.

http://www.biblewise.com/character/jesus_parables/jesus_parables_discussion.htm#sheep