Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
CLASS FOURTEEN: The Parables of Jesus
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. READ / LISTEN to MATTHEW 13:1–58
a. What are your initial impressions or questions? Notable translation differences?
III. Discourse Three (Kingdom): Parables about the Kingdom: (13:1-58)
a. This is the third of 5 discourses given by Jesus recorded in Matthew’s gospel.
b. Verses 1-3, 10, 36, and 53 seem to suggest Jesus told these parables at one sitting.
c. In the center of Matthew’s gospel Jesus begins a new teaching method – Parables.
d. The focus also shifts from Jesus as the sovereign ruling Son of David to that of the sacrificial redeeming Son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)
e. Jesus speaks of secrets or mysteries of the Kingdom and in so doing introduces a different form of the Kingdom of God – that is the spiritual reign of the King over His servants while He is physically absent from them until His second coming.
IV. The Parable of the Sower (vv. 1-9)
a. In your own words, what is a parable?
b. The sower and four kinds of soil. What is the problem – the Sower, the seed, or the soil? What is the result of taking root in good ground?
V. The Parable of the Sower Explained (vv. 18-23)
a. Suggest a scenario for each of the four examples Jesus gives.
VI. Why Jesus Used Parables (vv. 10-17)
a. If the secrets of the Kingdom are revealed in the parables of Jesus, why do some have understanding and others don’t?
b. (vv. 14-15) Jesus is saying here that Isaiah’s prophesy (6:9-10) is fulfilled.
c. (vv. 16-17) Jesus is saying those who hear and understand are blessed. What example does He use to illustrate this point?
VII. The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds (vv. 24-30)
a. The man sowed good seed. It was not mixed with darnel seeds. How did the darnel (weeds) get into the wheat?
b. Why didn’t the landowner want the weeds pulled up? When would they be pulled?
VIII. The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained (vv. 36-43)
a. Where is Jesus when He interprets this parable? Who is He talking to?
b. Who is the sower? Where are the good seeds sown? What are the good seeds?
c. Who planted weeds and what are the weeds?
d. (vv. 40-43) How do these verses relate to you and me?
IX. The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast (vv. 31-33)
a. What is the point of these parables?
X. Jesus Using Parables Fulfills Prophesy (vv. 34-35)
a. Jesus is referring to Psalm 78:1-4, a Psalm of Asaph.
XI. The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Priceless Pearl (vv. 44-46)
a. What is the point of these parables?
XII. The Parable of the Dragnet (vv. 47-50)
a. This parable closely parallels the parable of the wheat and weeds. What is the focus of this parable?
XIII. The Storehouse of Truth (vv. 51-53)
a. Why does Jesus ask if they understand these things?
b. What is new and what is old in this parable? Note that both are necessary.
c. Verse 53 is a transition to note the end of the third discourse.
XIV. Jesus Rejected at Nazareth (vv. 54-58)
a. Where is Jesus’ hometown?
b. (vs. 55) Here and in Mark 6:3 and Luke 4:22 are the only NT references to Joseph’s and Jesus’ trade as carpenters.
c. (vv. 55-56) Here we see that Jesus had other brothers and sisters. James and Jude both became ardent followers of Jesus and authored the New Testament books bearing their names.
d. (vv. 57-58) Familiarity breeds contempt.
XV. Application
a. It’s important for Christians today to understand and be familiar with both the Old and New Testament in order to reflect on God’s full revelation. (2nd Timothy 3:16)
b. Satan and sin are the result of evil being present in the world and it will continue until the final judgement. (Revelation 11:18)
c. Often, the people we know best are most resistant to the gospel. (Mark 6:4)
Final Comments and/or Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: John the Baptist Beheaded - Read Matthew 14:1-36 to prepare.
