Winter 2018

Book 1

The Parables of Jesus:Better Than Fiction

Home Bible Studies

Evangelical Free Church of Green Valley

Coordinated with messages by Pastor Steve LoVellette

Lessons prepared by Dave McCracken

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Introduction

The parables of Jesus can be found in all the gospels, except for John, and in some of thenon-canonical gospels, but are located mainly within the three Synoptic Gospels. They representa main part of the teachings of Jesus, forming approximately one third of his recorded teachings.

Bible scholar Madeline Boucher writes: The importance of the parables can hardly beoverestimated. They comprise a substantial part of the recorded preaching of Jesus. Theparables are generally regarded by scholars as among the sayings which we can confidentlyascribe to the historical Jesus; they are, for the most part, authentic words of Jesus. Moreover,all of the great themes of Jesus' preaching are struck in the parables.

Parables are not fables, not myths, not proverbs, not allegories. Jesus' parables are short storiesthat teach a moral or spiritual lesson by analogy or similarity. They are often stories based onthe agricultural life that was intimately familiar to His original first century audience. It is thelesson of a parable that is important to us. The story is not important in itself; it may or may notbe literally true.

Jesus was the master of teaching in parables. His parables often have an unexpected twist orsurprise ending that catches the reader's attention. They are also cleverly designed to drawlisteners into new ways of thinking, new attitudes and new ways of acting.

Each of Jesus' parables teaches only one or two important lessons. It is a mistake to look formeaning in every sentence or detail of the story. If we get bogged down analyzing the details ofthe parable, we may miss the central point.

When He was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked Him about theparables. And He said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, butfor those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that they may . . .

‘Listen continually, but don’t understand! Look continually, but don’t perceive!’Make the hearts of these people calloused; make their ears deaf and their eyes blind!

Otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears,their hearts might understand and they might repent and be healed.” (Is. 6:9b-10, Luke 8:9-10 NASV)

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Jesus told his disciples that not everyonewould understand his parables. DidJesus mean to say that He wasdeliberately confusing his listeners? Hewas aware that some who heard hisparables refused to understand them. Itwas not that they were stupid, but rather,their hearts were closed to what Jesuswas saying. They had already made uptheir minds to not believe.

God can only reveal the secrets of hiskingdom to the humble and trustingperson who acknowledges the need forGod and for his truth. The parables ofJesus will enlighten us if we approach

them with an open mind and heart, ready to let them challenge us. If we approach them with theconviction that we already know the answer, then we, too, may look but not see, listen but nothear or understand. http://www.rc.net/wcc/parable1.htm D. Schwager, The Parables of Jesus, 2008

Barclay explains it this way: “When Isaiah spoke he spoke half in irony and half in despair andaltogether in love. He was thinking, ‘God sent me to bring his truth to this people; and for all thegood I am doing I might as well have been sent to shut their minds to it. I might as well bespeaking to a brick wall. You would think that God had shut their minds to it.’"

So Jesus spoke his parables; He meant them to flash into men's minds and to illuminate thetruth of God. But in so many eyes he saw a dull non-comprehension. He saw so many peopleblinded by prejudice, deafened by wishful thinking, too lazy to think. He turned to his disciplesand he said to them: Do you remember what Isaiah once said? He said that when he came withGod's message to God's people Israel in his day they were so dully non-understanding that youwould have thought that God had shut instead of opened their minds. When Jesus said this, Hedid not say it in anger, or irritation, or bitterness, or exasperation. He said it with the wistfullonging of frustrated love, the poignant sorrow of a man who had a tremendous gift to give whichpeople were too blind to take. (Read Luke 8:9-10)

If we read this, hearing not a tone of bitter exasperation, but a tone of regretful love, it will soundquite different. It will tell us not of a God who deliberately blinded men and hid His truth, but ofmen who were so dully uncomprehending that it seemed no use even for God to try to penetratethe iron curtain of their lazy incomprehension. God save us from hearing his truth like that!(Barclay, commentary on Mark 4:1-12)

By nature, a parable invites the reader or listener to supply the interpretation, and some of Jesus'parables have been interpreted in more than one way. Jesus, Himself, supplied the interpretationfor some of His parables. But in other cases, it is left to us to determine the meaning and lesson.Some of the parables are difficult to interpret, but the meaning is clear in most cases. EvenJesus' enemies often understood His parables, even though they did not accept the lesson.Jesus' original audience in first century Palestine probably knew exactly what He was saying inmost cases. Those of us who are far removed from that time and place need some help fromhistorians and Bible scholars to understand the original cultural context and issues involved.

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Table of Contents

Winter 2018 Home Bible Study

Date Topic Scripture Page

January 14 Seed, Sower, Soils Luke 8:4-15 1

January 21 Kingdom Parables for Life Now Matthew 13 5

January 28 The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 9

February 4 The 10 Minas Luke 19 13

February 11 From Bitterness to Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 17

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The Parables of Jesus: Better Than FictionLesson 1, January 14, 2018

Luke 8:4-15

The Seed, The Sower, The Soils

The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God’s message and produce a hugeharvest – thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted. Matt. 13:23 NLT

“I’ve made my choice,” wrote the basketball star. “I love Jesus Christand I try to serve Him to the best of my ability. How about you?” Thattestimony is from a tract written years ago by Bill Bradley, the formerUnited States Senator, who tried to win the Democratic Party’snomination for President. In an earlier Breakpoint Commentary,Chuck Colson talked about how Bradley professed faith in Christwhile he was a student at Princeton University. There he becamevery active in The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and by the timehe was playing for the New York Knicks, he was a very outspokenChristian. But things changed. In his 1996 memoirs, Bradley says hewas put off by the exclusive truth claims of conservative Christianity

and bothered by the uncharitable and racist attitudes displayed by some Christians. He now sayshe embraces all religions, from Buddhism to Islam, “so long as they seek inner peace.” Bill Bradleyby his own writings condemns his soul. He has lost his zeal for Christ and gives us a perfect and sadexample of what it means to have faith that is strong at first, but then withers away, because of a lackof commitment. The cost of temporary faith, is the loss of faith.

C. Frailey, The Parable of the Four Soils, 2002.

Read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15; Mark 4:3-8, 13-20. (Luke 8:9-10 is discussed inthe introduction to this series.)

The parable of the soils describes what becomes of seed thatis sown in four different types of soil. The sowing of the seedsymbolizes the spreading of the gospel. The seed which issown is the word of God. The first type of soil is the hardenedsoil of the pathway. This seed does not penetrate the soil at all,but is quickly snatched up by the birds of the air. The secondtype of soil is the rocky soil, a shallow layer of earth, barelycovering to rock below. The seed which falls upon this type ofsoil quickly germinates, aided by the warmth retained by therock, but hindered by a lack of depth and by a lack of moisture.The seed which germinates quickly also terminates quickly. The third soil is populated with thorns.The seed falling into this soil germinates and begins to grow, but is eventually crowded out by thehardier thorns. The fourth soil is the fruitful soil, that soil which produces a bountiful crop. Having toldthe story, Jesus put an exclamation point after it by adding these words: “He who has ears to hear,let him hear” (Luke 8:8).

First: Planting on a footpath.1. Who is Jesus talking about here? Also read 2 Cor. 4:3-4.

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Their condition is one of being "blinded" by Satan to the gospel. While Satancontributes to their blindness, it is precipitated by their own hardness of heart!This soil represents those whose hard hearts are manipulated by Satan to resist. 2. Why might people represented by this type of soil have hardened hearts

to the gospel message? Do you know anyone like this?

Some fail to believe because they love darkness more than light - John 3:19-20; some because theylove praise from men more than God - John 12:42-43; Satan easily takes advantage of such peopleto blind them through appealing doctrines like hedonism, secularism, & materialism – throughpopular doctrines like humanism, evolution, & post-modernism. This soil represents many peopletoday who have no interest in spiritual things. The hardened soil represents those whose hearts havenever been open to the gospel, who never responded positively to the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospelmakes no impression on them whatsoever.

Second: Planting on stony ground.3. Who is Jesus talking about here? What do these people lack? What

seems to be the problem? Do you know anyone like this?

Represented here are those who hear the word and immediately receive itwith gladness; yet with no root, they do not endure. They stumble when faced with tribulation,persecution, & temptation.

Many hear the Word and receive it with great joy but do not count the cost (Luke 14:28-33). Theylack perseverance, perhaps being ruled more by emotion and circumstances than the Word of God.They may think the gospel promises only good times, blessing, happiness, and bliss. The quicknessof the response is an indication of their lack of perception as to what the gospel really means. It isthe result of selective hearing, of hearing only the good and pleasant things, rather than hearing ofthe costs involved in discipleship, of which our Lord often spoke. A simple reading of the Sermon onthe Mount will show how our Lord carefully presented the blessings and the costs of following Him.

4. What does it mean to “count the cost?” What have you experienced in the Christian life thatis not all good times, blessing, happiness and bliss? What might we expect the costs ofdiscipleship to be?

The kind of Christian which pleases the heart of God is not one which makes a dramatic start andthen dies out. The kind of Christian which pleases God is one who consistently grows and matures,and who bears fruit as a result.

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Third: Planting among thorns.5. Who is Jesus talking about here? What is the problem with these

people? Do you know anyone like this?

Many become Christians, but never mature. They may attend church,even participate or lead in the services – but spiritually they remain "babes" and "carnal". The thirdsoil, the thorny soil, represents those who have never rid themselves of the “cares of this world.”Their priority is for money and for pleasure rather than seeking first the kingdom of God, and thustheir priorities are reversed. These people may understand the costs of discipleship, but are notwilling to pay the price. It is not lack of knowledge which causes them to err, but lack of commitment,lack of dedication. This soil might represent Christians rendered fruitless by materialism or peoplepretending to be Christians.

Read 1 Tim. 6:17-19.6. What commands are given to those who have been blessed with sufficiency in earthly wealth?

What is promised to those who obey these commands?

Fourth: Planting in good (productive) soil.7. What is Jesus talking about here? What descriptors can you use

to describe these people? How can we qualify as “good soil”?

The good soil represents all those whose hearts are prepared for the gospel, and whose lives areuncluttered with competitive interests and values. The plant comes to maturity and bears fruit. Thissoil represents those with good hearts who understand and obey the Word. Many Christians havethis "noble and good heart" – making the effort to understand and keep the Word – and produce fruit!Our Lord doesn’t inform His followers only for their information, but for their transformation

There is only one kind of soil which attains the goal. The goal which our Lord holds out in this parableis that of reaching full maturity and of bearing fruit. Our Lord would have us understand that only the“good soil people” have reached the goal. We are saved, not only to escape divine wrath and to liveforever in heaven, but to attain to the “fullness of the stature of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-13) and to bearfruit (John 15:5). The goal for which we are saved is to persevere, to grow, to reach maturity, andto produce more fruit. How few are those who can be called “good soil saints.”

8 "What kind of soil are you?"... How can you be more effective in producing fruit?

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The “footpath” person has heard the gospel of Christ, but has not obeyed it... and is in the processof hardening his or her heart. This person is susceptible to Satan's deception, blinded to the truthof God's Word! To disregard the gospel is dangerous, for Satan will not allow the seed to remain forlong and the seed may never be sown in our hearts again.

The “stony ground” person has responded to the gospel, but is not grounded in the faith... and willnot persevere through difficult times.

The “thorny ground” person has responded to the gospel, but is preoccupied with the cares, riches,and pleasures of this world, and is not bearing fruit! Jesus said that branches that do not bear fruitare to be pruned (Jn 15:1-6).

The “good soil” person has responded to the gospel, and is bearing fruit... with a good and nobleheart!

Note that the sower sowed seed on all four kinds of soil. Youmight say that he sowed indiscriminately. You and I do notknow what kind of soil our unsaved friend or neighbor mightbe. Because of this, we must proclaim the gospel (sow theseed) indiscriminately. We will not know what kind of soilpeople are for some time. Let us therefore be on guard againstpre-judging others and simply proclaim the truth of God’s wordto all.

9. What additional issues or questions do I have that Iwould like to discuss in small group?

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The Parables of Jesus: Better Than FictionLesson 2, January 21, 2018

Matthew 13

Parables of the Kingdom:For Life Now

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. 13:43

The chapter contains seven parables: Parable of the Sower, Parable of the Tares,Parable of the Mustard Seed, Parable of the Leaven, Parable of the HiddenTreasure, Parable of the Pearl, and Parable of Drawing in the Net. The Parable ofthe Sower was discussed in the message last week.

1. Parable of the Tares: Read Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. What was sown inthe field? What did the enemy then do? What instruction was given to the slaves? How will thereapers be instructed?

2. Who sows the good seed? Who sows the tares? Who is the good seed? Who are the weeds?What will be the end result for each?

The kingdom of God is a time of struggle, trials, worries and deceit—but it isalso a time of growth that leads toward God’s harvest. The harvest is the timewhen God’s people will be resurrected to be with the Lord forever. Thesedescriptions of the kingdom end with the return of Christ, rather than begin

with it. These parables describe a kingdom that exists in this age that will also include a future judgment.

In case someone left it out or forgot to mention it when they explained what it meant to be a Christian,let me be clear: There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender.There is no life without death. There is no believing without committing. K. Idleman, Not a Fan, 2011, p. 35.

3. Parable of the Mustard Seed: Read Matthew 13:31-32. What is the Kingdom of God like? Whatshould we compare it to - a mustard seed? Why?

Here Jesus described the kingdom not just as a seed, but as the smallest seed. Jesus is not describinga kingdom that arrives in a blaze of glory—he is describing a kingdom that begins very small. We havethe luxury of hindsight, but the disciples were having trouble understanding the nature of the Kingdomof God that Jesus was proclaiming. They had their own views, of a messianic overthrow of the Romanoppressors and a restoration of David's throne. But they had little understanding of the true nature of theKingdom of God of which they were ambassadors-in-training. The kingdom is a story about gradualgrowth.

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4. Parable of the Leaven: Read Matthew 13:33. What is the nature of yeast? How does it work?Why might the kingdom of God be compared to yeast?

The kingdom begins small and inconspicuous — something small that grows into somethinglarge. Small beginnings, large endings.

5. Parable of the Hidden Treasure: Read Matthew 13:44. What did the man find?What did he then do? What was the cost to him? Why might he have been joyful?

The Kingdom of heaven is the greatest treasure any of us could ever imagine. It’s worth more than allthe gold, silver, diamonds, and pearls in the whole world. And yet, God offers it to us. The only catch isthat it will cost us everything. Another interpretation is that Jesus is the main character. He is the one whosees hidden treasure in his people (the f ield), and gives everything he has to purchase the prize.

6. Parable of the Pearl: Read Matthew 13:45-46. What did the merchant find? What did he do?What was the cost to him?

These two parables (treasure and pearl) teach the same truth: The Kingdom is of such great value thatone should be willing to give up all he has in order to gain it. Beginning, middle, and end, the Kingdomwas Jesus' life focus. And He calls each of us to make it our life focus as well. There’s a hymn that says,“All to Jesus I surrender, all to him I freely give. I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live.I surrender all. I surrender all. All to thee, my precious Savior, I surrender all.”

7. Parable of Drawing in the Net: Read Matthew 13:47-50. The parable of the net teaches thesame general lesson as the parable of the weeds: There will be a final separation of the righteousand the wicked. What is being used to catch fish? When did the fishermen sort the good fish fromthe bad fish? What responsibility did the angels have? What then happened to the bad people?

The spread of the gospel is very much like the casting of a dragnet into the sea. It is our task to spreadHis gospel; and it is God alone knows who it is that He has chosen beforehand for faith. It is not ourbusiness to decide who becomes a part of His kingdom; but only to spread its message.

8. Read Matt. 24:14 & 28:19. What does Jesus want to happen? What is the "gospel of thekingdom?" Are we to exclude anyone? How might we participate in "casting the net"?

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The purpose of the dragnet wasn't to simply catch only good fish. It wasto catch as many of whatever kind of fish came into its influence anddraw it to the shore for inspection later. What does this say about themission of the church? The church is to proclaim the good news of theGospel to all persons – regardless of race, creed, color, social class, ornationality. The church is to proclaim the Gospel indiscriminately. Acompletely pure and holy church is not possible on this earth. There ischaff mixed in with the grain; there are weeds mixed in with the wheat;

there are wicked among the righteous, there are false believers among the true believers; there arehypocrites within the church. Furthermore, it is in accordance with God's will for the church to be an opennet for all kinds of people to be drawn in.

The righteous are those few in the church who are chosen, not the many who are called (Mt 22:14). Theyare the genuine flock of God who: know and do the will of God (Mt 7:24; 13:23), give testimony to theirfaith and are prepared to die for it (Mt 5:10), and persevere in the face of afflictions (Mt 24:9-13). Therighteous, of course, are not righteous in and of themselves but only by virtue of their relationship withthe Lord Jesus. The righteous are those who believe in and have a living relationship with Jesus.

A. Dieleman, Hypocrites in the Church, 2002

The wicked are those in the church who are not completely dedicated to the Lord. They are double-minded in that they serve two masters: God and money, or God and pleasure, or God and self.Outwardly they look like Christians but inwardly they are not. When it comes right down to it, the wickedare those who do not truly believe in the Lord Jesus, who do not have a living relationship with Jesus,who do not walk and live with the Lord Jesus. A. Dieleman, Hypocrites in the Church, 2002

9. We have already seen that the angels are the harvesters in Matt. 13:30 & 39. Here we see thatthey have the additional duty of sorting the righteous from the wicked (the good from the bad fish).Read Mark 13:26-27. What additional future task has been given to angels?

10. Read Rev. 20:10, 20:14-15, 21:8. How is hell described? Whatmight the "lake of fire" be like? What is the "second death"? Whatincentive is there for us to be "good fish"? How do we become goodfish and gain heaven rather than hell (Acts 13:38-39)?

God's calling us who have come under the influence of Jesus' kingdom to, with theutmost sense of seriousness and urgency, be very sure that we truly belong in Hiskingdom.

11. Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. This warning was given to a church full ofprofessing Christians. What were they to do? By what criteria are they totest themselves?

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12. What thoughts or questions do I have that I would like to discuss in small group?

Is Jesus Christ truly in you? Do you have an ongoing, growing relationship with Him? Do youdemonstrate the clear, unmistakable evidence of a transformed life—the kind of transformed life thatproves that He dwells in you? This parable warns us that, just because you're drawn by the influence ofthe kingdom, that doesn't mean that you have a place in it. Make very sure that you have a place in Hiskingdom. Make very sure that you have trusted Jesus Christ by faith.

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The Parables of Jesus: Better Than FictionLesson 3, January 28, 2018

Luke 16: 19-31

The Rich Man and Lazarus

The Pharisees loved money and they were shrewd in the ways theyfound to gain it, to keep it, and to use it to indulge themselves.They judged on appearances. Jesus was talking a great deal aboutmoney, and how to use it. They could well have said to themselvesand others, “Who is this expert on money, anyway? Who does Hethink He is? How much money does He possess? He is so poorthat He has to have women of means accompany Him, to providefor His needs!” They may very well have mocked Jesus’ teaching,based upon His poverty. Lazarus was covered in sores with no oneto protect him or care for him. Lazarus is a man with worldlysorrow. The rich man’s lack of love for Lazarus indicated his lackof love for God.

The underlying problem of the Pharisees was that they wereseeking their approval from the wrong source. They were strivingto be justified by men, and their standard had to be that which men

could see and evaluate—outward appearances. Because the Pharisees wanted the approval of men theyacted in a way that would attract attention to themselves, in a way that would make them look righteous,as men might judge it. It is God, however who justifies, and not men. God does not judge on the basisof outward appearance, but He knows and bases His judgment on what is in man’s heart.

C.S. Lewis told about a tombstone that read, “Here lies an atheist—all dressed up and no place to go.”He commented, “I bet he wishes that were so.”

1. Read Luke 16:13-15. What two masters are being discussed?How did the Pharisees react? Contrast the values of man withthe values of God.

2. Read Luke 16:19. Who is being described? What might hisclothing indicate? What did he seem to enjoy every day?

All of this tells us that this rich man cared greatly about enjoying life and was passionate about pursuingpleasure, comfort, and worldly ease.

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3. Read Luke 16:20-21. What do we learn about Lazarus? What was his medical condition? Whatdid he desire for food? What medical treatment did he receive? How were dogs viewed at the timethe Bible was written?

The rich man considered Lazarus a problem. Lazarus reminded the rich man that there was sufferingand pain in this world. Consider the lack of compassion of the rich man because he was covered in thefinest clothing while Lazarus was covered with sores. The rich man feasted sumptuously daily whilerefusing to allow even the crumbs that fell on the floor to be given to the starving man at his gate.

4. Read Luke 16:22. What happened to Lazarus? What did they do with the rich man?

In this verse we read that “the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.” Thefact that angels carried him to Heaven (called “Abraham’s Side”) indicates that he was a man of faith whotrusted in the Lord to save him.

The rich man also died and was buried" (v. 22). And there, in Hades, we begin to get a sense of the richman's regrets. The rich man pursued lust instead of the Lord,fame instead of faith, and comfort instead of the cross.

5. Read Luke 16:23-25. Hades/Hell in this story refers tothe place of the wicked prior to the final judgment. Itis a terrible place because Jesus says the rich man“being in torment…called out…have mercy on me…forI am in anguish in this flame” (23-24). This rich manis experiencing anguish in the form of hellish sorrow(25). Who did the rich man see? To whom did he cryfor mercy? What did he want Lazarus to do for him?What was the response? Did the rich man do anythingfor Lazarus during his time on earth? Why does he stilldesire to have others serve him?

6. Read Luke 16:26-28. What seems to be keepingpeople in the two places apart? Do those in hell haveany access to heaven?

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7. What did the rich man want Lazarus to do? Why?

8. Read Luke 16:29-31. How did Abraham respond? Why did the rich man think that this might notwork? What did he want Abraham to do instead? Would his brothers respond if someone cameback from the dead?

The rich man understood it was too late for him now that he was in hell; but that it was not too late forhis brothers who were still living. The rich man, for the first time, became concerned about the spiritual

welfare of his family.

9. Why does it seem that so many people seem to havedecided that they will not follow Jesus, even when we try toconvince them with proofs that seem to us to be clear andpowerful?

The imagery in this story clearly expresses with all clarity theirreversibility of God’s verdict upon men.

Human depravity can look upon the truth and not see it—we call that“spiritual blindness.” When we share God’s word with others, weneed to pray that the Holy Spirit will open people’s eyes so they cansee the truth and be rescued from their darkness. One point of thisparable is that people can see the truth and still dismiss it. Bookshave been written about the reliability of the Bible, proofs for theexistence of God, the validity of miracles, and the historicity of

Jesus…yet people don’t even give God a chance—they reject His word, a word they’ve hardly taken timeto read.

The rich man was spiritually lost—not because he was rich, but because he did not listen to the teachingof the Law and the Prophets. People say to God, “Just give me a sign.” They fail to see how ourimmensely complex world points to God’s handiwork as Creator. The problem is, they don’t want to haveto answer to God, so they reject the signs that are all around.

When we realize that it is God’s persuasiveness and not ours that brings people to their senses, we canbreathe a sigh of relief and go about telling the Good News. God opens eyes and hearts; God raises thespiritually dead to life, drawing sinners to the Cross. God does the saving. We’re simply His messengers,telling others where we found forgiveness.

God’s standards differ greatly from man’s, indeed, they are the exact opposite. Those things which menhighly esteem, Jesus said, are an abomination to God (Luke 16:15).

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10. What changes should we make in our lives to apply the teaching of this parable so we can be thepeople Jesus wants us to be? What, from the sermon by the pastor, spoke to your heart? Whatwould you like to share about it with your small group?

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The Parables of Jesus: Better Than FictionLesson 4, February 4, 2018

Luke 19:11-27

Ten Servants With 10 Minas

Jesus has been teaching about the Kingdom and the attitudesof those who would be His disciples. His disciples should be likethe grateful ex-leper (17:11-19), persistent in prayer (18:1-14),childlike (18:15-17), the former blind man (18:35-43), andZacchaeus (19:1-10) as opposed to the rich ruler (18:18-25).

What would Jesus have us doing while we live on earth? Thisfinal parable in Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem highlights thebeliever’s responsibility or stewardship during the intervalbetween Jesus’ death and return. Jesus related this story to

prepare His followers to understand what they were to be about after He died for mankind’s sin. Hisdisciples were hoping He would set up an earthly kingdom. So Jesus tells this memorable story so Hisfollowers would know what they were to do between His departure and His second coming. He wouldgo away for a while and His followers would need to be faithful and productive during His absence.

Because we live in that interim time period, this parable applies directly to us. Each of us have beengiven resources with which to build and expand God’s kingdom. Jesus expects us to use our talents,time, and gifts for His kingdom. If we use the gifts and opportunities God has blessed us with, they in turnwill multiply as we use them in kingdom service.

1. Read Luke 19:11-14. What impression did the people have thatJesus tried to correct with this parable? Who was to be calledaway? What was to be invested? By whom? How did the peopleview the nobleman? Did they want the nobleman to becometheir king?

Before leaving the prince “called 10 of his servants and gave them” each a expensive coin called a mina.A mina was approximately three months’ or 100 day’s wages for a day laborer, so its value wasconsiderable.

2. Read Luke 19:15-19. What did the king do when He returned? What did the first servant report?How did the king respond? What responsibility was the servant given?

3. What did the second servant report? How did the king respond? What responsibility was theservant given?

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4. Read Luke 19:20-24. What did the third servant report? Howdid the king respond? Was this servant given any additionalresponsibility? Why or why not?

The implication was that the servant did not really expect the king tocome back. He was not concerned about the king’s return so he did notbother with the king’s business. His lack of action could indicate that this servant belonged to the groupof people who did not want the king to reign over them.

5. Read Luke 19:25-26. How did the people respond to the faithful servant receiving even moreresponsibility? How did the king respond?

When you pray, ask the Lord to help you stay on guard against theunfaithfulness of non-involvement. Ask Him to enable you to be involved inkingdom service.

The story indicates that the King will ask each of us to give an account forwhat we have done with His gifts when He returns. While waiting for theeternal kingdom of God to begin in glory we are called upon to do Christ’swork. Those who do will be rewarded for their effort. Not only will each berewarded for their kingdom effort, there will apparently be degrees of rewardaccording to the degree of one’s faithfulness.

6. Read Luke 19:27. What is to happen to those who did not want the nobleman to become king?

7. In the parable who does the nobleman who becomes king represent? What is our responsibilityuntil the “nobleman” returns?

One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerksaid they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. "But I can't send a fine couple like you out in the rain,"he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?" The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. Thenext morning when the man paid his bill, he said, "You're the kind of man who should be managing thebest hotel in the United States. Someday I'll build you one." Several years later the clerk received a letterfrom the elderly man, recalling that stormy night and asking him to come to New York. A round-trip ticketwas enclosed. When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street,where stood a magnificent new building. "That," explained the man, "is the hotel I have built for you tomanage." The man was William Waldorf Astor, and that hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. Theyoung clerk, George C. Boldt, became its first manager.

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8. Read Luke 12:42-48. What will be the result for those whoperform their duty well? What will be the result for those who failto perform their duty as expected? What will happen to those whodid not know they were doing wrong? What will be required ofthose who have been given much?

The exaggerated rewards highlight the fact that following Jesus is a risk calling for courage, but it will beamply rewarded. The fearful lose out and the opponents suffer death. The one who is faithful in investinghis life, be it time, tithe, or evangelizing will be given great reward. The one who is semi-faithful will bewell rewarded. The one who is faithless will lose his reward altogether. Although everyone will be elatedin heaven, those who are presently faithful will be challenged and excited. They will grow and develop.

9. Read Romans 14:11-13 and Isaiah 45:20-24. To whom are we and everyone else accountable?What is the caution about judging others? Why is putting trust in anything or anyone else futile?

God appoints us to places of service to develop the gifts and talents He has given us. There we are todevelop ourselves by using our God-given opportunities, no matter how small they may seem. If Godwants to promote us, He'll do it in His own way and time. American botanist George Washington Carver(1864-1943) said that he once asked God to tell him about the universe. According to Carver, the Lordreplied, "George, the universe is just too big for you to understand. Suppose you let Me take care ofthat." Humbled, Carver asked, "Lord, how about a peanut?" The Lord said, "Now, George, that'ssomething your own size. Go to work on it and I'll help you." When Carver was done studying the peanut,he had discovered more than 300 products that could be made with that tiny bit of God's world.

10. Read Revelation 22.12-17. Who is coming soon (suddenly)? What is with Him? Why? Who areto be blessed? Who must remain outside the city? What is available to those who are faithful?

There is nothing wrong with thinking big and wanting to do something important. But as Christians, weshould bring all our goals and plans to the Lord inprayer, asking for His will to be done through us.And we must be willing to start at the bottom, withlittle things, if that is His plan for us. In God'skingdom, promotions to greater usefulness go tothose who are faithful in little things – to those whoare willing to start with “peanuts.” It's a big thing todo a little thing well for God.

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As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords and that in the last days OurLord and King will return to inaugurate His kingdom. When Jesus returns to assume His rightful placeHe will assess His servants’ use of the gifts, talents, time and opportunities He has given them. Hisfaithful servants will be rewarded and given positions of authority in the Kingdom of God (Luke 22:28-30).As stewards of our own lives, are we increasing in Christ-likeness? Are we serving Christ as membersof His body the church in an effort to reach others for His kingdom? If we are fruitful, we will be moretomorrow than we are today. May our aim be to hear those words of commendation from verse 17, “Welldone, good servant.” D. Davidson, The Once & Future King Series, Nov. 18, 2014.

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The Parables of Jesus: Better Than FictionLesson 5, February 11, 2018

Matthew 18:21-35

From Bitterness to Forgiveness

How many times must we forgive someone who has hurt us,abused us, or exploited us? That is Peter’s question. Howmany times? Would seven times be enough? Peter thoughtthat he was being generous. After all, the rabbis of his daytaught that only three times were required. They said,“Forgive three times, but not the fourth.” Peter was takingwhat the rabbis commanded, multiplying it by two, andadding one more for good measure! Seven times, Peter thought, should be plenty enough forgiveness.But it was not enough for Jesus. In answer to how many times we should forgive Jesus said, “I tell you,not seven times, but seventy times seven.” Jesus is saying that forgiveness is limitless.

Forgiveness is at the heart of our Christian faith. We aren’t supposed to hold grudges, carry resentmentsor harbor bitterness. It’s a tough teaching, but it is one of the most important teachings that Jesus gaveus. Forgiveness is at the center of everything we believe about Christ. Our salvation revolves around thefact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and with that death we are able to receive forgiveness forwhatever it is we have done. One of the first things we need to realize is that refusing to forgive hasterrible consequences. Have you ever thought about what happens when we refuse to forgive? Whenwe refuse to forgive we keep that issue or problem inside. To refuse to forgive is to choose to carryaround those feelings of bitterness, resentment, and hate. Why would anybody want to carry thatgarbage around? Why would we do that to ourselves?

1. Read Matthew 18:21-22. What is the message of these verses?

2. Read Matthew 18:23-27. What did the king decide to do? How much did the man owe that wasbrought before him? What was the verdict that was ordered?

3. How did the man respond to the verdict? What then did the king decide to do?

4. Read Matthew 18:28-30. What did the servant whohad his huge debt forgiven then do? How did hisfellow servant respond? What happened then to thefellow servant?

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5. Read Matthew 18:31-34. How did the other servants in thehousehold view this act? What did they do? What did the kingthen do to the servant he had forgiven?

6. Read Matthew 18:35. What is this verse telling us? How can weapply it to our lives? Why is this so important?

Jesus asks us to be forgiving today. “Forgive us our debts,” he taught us to pray, “As we forgive ourdebtors.” Forgiveness can be a hard teaching for many people. Sometimes our hurt can go so deep wefeel we cannot let go of it. But we can and we must for our own well-being. With much prayer and a clearcommitment to it, we can forgive as we have been forgiven.

7. Read Matthew 6:14. What seems to be the condition for us to receive God’s forgiveness?

8. Read Mark 11:25. What is the problem when we hold a grudge against someone?

9. Read Luke 17:3-4. What advice is given for the way we should treat another believer?

10. Read Ephesians 4:31-32. What are we to rid ourselves of? What type of behavior should weexhibit? What seems to be the standard for forgiveness?

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11. Read Colossians 3:12-15. How does God view the believer?What behavior does He expect? How does this relate toforgiveness? How is love to be expressed to others? What are wealways to be?

You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you. The single most cause ofChristian presumption is the Christian’s inability to understand the cosmic proportions of God’sforgiveness and the ugliness of sins. A way to find forgiveness is to understand the smallness of thedebts your enemies have incurred against you compared to the debt you have incurred with God

Chuck Swindoll reports that a seminary student in Chicago faced a forgiveness test. Although hepreferred to work in some kind of ministry, the only job he could find was driving a bus on Chicago'ssouth side. One day a gang of tough teens got on board and refused to pay the fare. After a few daysof this, the seminarian spotted a policeman on the corner, stopped the bus, and reported them. Theofficer made them pay, but then he got off. When the bus rounded a corner, the gang robbed theseminarian and beat him severely. He pressed charges and the gang was rounded up. They were foundguilty. But as soon as the jail sentence was given, the young Christian saw their spiritual need and feltpity for them. So he asked the judge if he could serve their sentences for them. The gang members andthe judge were dumbfounded. "It's because I forgive you," he explained. His request was denied, but hevisited the young men in jail and led several of them to faith in Christ.

12. What issues would you like to discuss further with your small group?

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