Introduction: This brief parable is given in the form of a rhetorical question, after which Jesus supplies the obvious answer in order to drive His point home. Then He goes on to offer some application of the parable's teaching. So, we will follow this simple order in our examination of the parable: 1) the question of … Continue reading Parable of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-13 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37 Teaching Outline)
Introduction: Jeff Miller, pastor at Trinity Bible Church in Richardson, Texas, asks some penetrating questions regarding the application of this parable: Do you look upon people as an inconvenience or an opportunity to serve? In your mind, are people obstacles to fulfilling your God-given purpose, or do people serve a central roll in God's purpose … Continue reading Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Lamp (Luke 8:16-18 Teaching Outline)
Note: Begin reading in verse 1 in order to get the full context. This will become important as we try to correctly understand the parable. Introduction: Steven Cole offers the following illustration on the importance of being careful how we listen to the Word: Challenging his wife with a riddle, the man began, “You’re the engineer … Continue reading Parable of the Lamp (Luke 8:16-18 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Two Debtors (Luke 7:36-47 Teaching Outline)
Introduction: In the Bible there are a number of metaphors used to express the meaning of the forgiveness of sin. For example, forgiveness can be described as the hiding of sin (Ps. 32:1), as the taking away of a burden (Ps. 32:1, 5), or as the wiping away of a stain (Ps. 51:1, 9). But … Continue reading Parable of the Two Debtors (Luke 7:36-47 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46 Teaching Outline)
Introduction: Not all scholars agree that Jesus' teaching in this part of Matthew 25 should rightly be called a parable. For example, one prominent New Testament scholar, characteristic of those who think we should not call this a parable, argues: This is not really a parable. At most we have a parabolic saying about the separation of sheep … Continue reading Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30 Teaching Outline)
As we approach our study of this parable, we must keep in mind that Jesus has been teaching about His second coming and that this provides the context for this parable as well as for the one that preceded it. Introduction: F. B. Meyer, a Baptist pastor and evangelist who lived from 1847-1929, had this prayer … Continue reading Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13 Teaching Outline)
Introduction: Today as we continue our journey through the parables of Jesus, I just want to remind you of an important principle when interpreting parables, which is that we should not over-interpret them. It is tempting for many scholars and pastors to start reading all kinds of allegorical meanings into parables such as the one … Continue reading Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Two Servants (Matthew 24:45-51 Teaching Outline)
Jesus tells this parable in the context of His prophecies about His future return and the signs that will precede it. An important emphasis of this teaching is on the fact that we do not know when He will return. Indeed, He tells His disciples that this is one fact of which they can be … Continue reading Parable of the Two Servants (Matthew 24:45-51 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14 Teaching Outline)
A couple of weeks ago we began to look at an exchange between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. There we saw that Jesus told them the first of three parables designed to challenge them and to expose their hypocrisy, the Parable of the Two Sons. Then, last week, we looked at the second … Continue reading Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14 Teaching Outline)
Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-46 Teaching Outline)
Note: Last week we began to look at an exchange between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. There we saw that Jesus told them the first of three parables designed to challenge and expose their hypocrisy. This week we will examine the second of these parables, the Parable of the wicked Vinedressers. Introduction: Sometimes … Continue reading Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-46 Teaching Outline)