Purpose of the Parables

Matthew 13: 10 - 17

Pastor Brian McGuffin

Introduction

What were some of your favourite stories when you were younger? Are these stories still important to you today? What was it about these stories that had a lasting impact on you?

In your life today, which non-fiction stories or commentaries about life are impacting your world view? What about these stories/commentaries grip you the most? How do these words/ideas align with the truths of the writings in the Bible?

Scripture

Matthew 13: 10 - 17  (Amplified Bible)

10 Then the disciples came to Him and asked, “Why do You speak to the crowds in parables?” 11 Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 This is the reason I speak to the crowds in parables: because while [having the power of] seeing they do not see, and while [having the power of] hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand and grasp [spiritual things]. 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

‘You will hear and keep on hearing, but never understand;
And you will look and keep on looking, but never comprehend;
15 
For this nation’s heart has grown hard,
And with their ears they hardly hear,
And they have [tightly] closed their eyes,
Otherwise they would see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart, and turn [to Me]
And I would heal them [spiritually].’

16 But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, many prophets and righteous men [who were honorable and in right standing with God] longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Discussion Questions

1 Matthew 13: 10 - 17

            a) What is the question the disciples ask Jesus?

            b) Read the quote from Isaiah. Put it into your own words.  (Perhaps you could do what Pastor Brian suggested. Underline the following words in different colours - see; hear; understand and comprehend; heart)

            c) Why does Jesus say the disciples are blessed?

            d) Who would understand the parables?

2. Do you feel that you have a high trust relationship with God? What evidence do you have of this trust? If someone does not feel that he/she does not trust God fully, what can that person do to strengthen his/her trust in God?

3. When you read the Bible, do you sometimes find that you do not fully understand or hear God's Word? What do you do if, and when, this happens?

4. When did you decide to become a Christian, to follow Jesus?   What brought you to that decision?

5. Why do people today tend to reject Christianity/churches/religion?

6. How easy or how difficult is it to share your faith with others? Explain.    

Tell us about the experiences you've had when you shared your faith? Were they good, bad/indifferent?  Explain.

7. Can you share your faith without talking a lot? What are some ways we could do that?

8. What church activities could you ask a friend to come to? 

            (church service; women's or men's monthly Bible studies; Scottish 
                        Dance Night on Saturday, January 25) 

9. Is God putting someone on your mind that you should share your faith with?