Group Bible Study Lesson Plans on the Parables of Christ

Oct. 4 006

Parables Of Christ: Applying His Word

10 lesson plans From the Serendipity Bible arranged by Pastor Roli Rodriquez.

Suggestions: Pray for someone to come next week to fill an “Empty chair.”

Have your group also participate in a service project to put God’s Word into practice.

For further study on the parables: Christ Object lessons.

 Lesson 1: The Sower

Bible Text: Matthew 13:1-23

Open:Regarding House  Plants, do you (a) talk and sing to them like friends (b) ignore them (c) hope no one gives you one?

 

Dig:

  1. What is a parable? Why do you think Jesus used parables?
  2. What four types of soil did Jesus mention? What were the characteristics of each?
  3. What happens to the seed in each soil?
  4. What does Jesus’ explanation reveal about the seed(v.18-23) ? The soils? The fruit? The farmer?
  5. How might the parable help the disciples understand what was happening in their ministry?

Reflect:

  1. Can you see and hear Jesus at work in today’s world? If so how?
  2. How would you explain this parable to city people in the 21st century that do not understand how to sow fields?
  3. What deep roots helps to prevent you from falling away from the Gospel? What gives you the roots?
  4. What worries have potential to choke your growth in Christ? How can you free your life From these thorns?
  5. What crops does Jesus want believers to yield?

** Pray For Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

 

Lesson 2: The Unmerciful Servant

 

Bible Text:  Matthew 18:21-35

Open: How many credit cards do you have? When does your credit card tempt you the most?

Dig:

  1. Offenders in Jesus’ day were forgiven up to 3 times in total. What does Jesus’ answer say about forgiveness in the Kingdom?
  2. How does Jesus’ Parable about the unmerciful servant extend Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness (v.23-35)?
  3. In refusing to be merciful to others what do we deny ourselves ( v 31-34)?
  4. Do we forgive others so God will forgive us or does God forgive us so that we can have a forgiving attitude?
  5. In summary what does Jesus teach in this parable bout sin and forgiveness?

Reflect:

  1. What has driven home the importance of forgiveness to you? How can we forgive yet not encourage irresponsibility?
  2. How can you forgive someone from the distant past who hurt you deeply?
  3. What is the connection between forgiveness ,health and wholeness?

Forgiveness is not saying it is okay. 

 

**Pray for Empty Chair

              ** Community Service Project Reminder

 

Lesson 3: The Talents

Bible Text: Matthew 25:14-30

Open: Who was one of the most talented people you knew in school? What happened to that person?

Dig:

  1. In this parable who did the master represent? The journey? The Talents? The servants?
  2. What happened to the servants that doubled their investment? To the one who hid his talent? On what basis were they rewarded?
  3. How does the Master’s treatment of the servant seem to you? Fair? Harsh? Lenient?

Reflect:

  1. If the master returned today what would you say about the way you’ve used what he gave you?
  2. How have you worked toward developing it?
  3. What will you do this week with the talents that God Has given you?

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

 

Lesson 4: The Good Samaritan

Bible Text: Luke 10: 25-37

Open: What part of your city is considered unsafe to walk alone at night? Would you provide escort service or help a distressed person in this area?

Dig:

  1. Who is testing who I’m this story?
  2. Does the lawyer think he has passed the test in v.28? How so?
  3. Why does Jesus answer with a story instead of a straight answer?
  4. How might one justify the actions of the priest and the Levite (see lev 21;1-3, Num. 19:11-22)?
  5. Given the divisions between the Jews and the Samaritans what is unusual in this story here?

Reflect:

 

  1. With whom do you identify the most with in this story? Why?
  2. Who have been Good Samaritans in your life?
  3. What makes a Good Samaritan really good?

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

Lesson 5: The Rich Fool

Bible Text: Luke 12: 13-21

Open:What did you like to collect as a kid?

Dig:

  1. In response to the man’s plea, Jesus tells a parable. What is the man’s problem? His solution? Why is he a fool?
  2. In your own words what is the punchline of this parable?

Reflect:

  1. When have you been like the man in this story?
  2. Advertising is dedicated to making us think that v.15 is wrong. What differences in lifestyle result in believing Jesus over advertisements?
  3. In planning an investment portfolio to become rich towards God? What will you do this week?

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

 

 

 Lesson 6: The Great Banquet

Bible Text: Luke 14:15-24

Open: What was one of your best Birthday parties? How so?

Dig:

  1. In this parable who are the invited guests? Why don’t they come? What happens to them?
  2. Who eventually comes?
  3. On what basis is one invited?
  4. How might Jesus’ servants fulfill the command of v.23?
  5. What does this parable teach about the kingdom?

   Reflect:

  1. When did you realize that following Jesus was costly?
  2. Have you ever wonder if the cost is worth it? What keeps you going?

 

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

 

 

 

 Lesson 7: The Prodigal Son

Bible Text: Luke 15:11-32

Open:  What type of child were you when you were younger? Obedient? The Rebel? Did you ever run away from home?

Dig:

  1. What stages does the younger son go through in his pilgrimage?
  2. What brings him to his senses and with what sort of attitude does he approach his father?
  3. What do you think the father was doing when his son was away? How does he receive him?
  4. How does the older brother feel about his younger brother’s return? Why?
  5. What does Jesus want to teach the Pharisees with the story of the older son in v.25-31 in light of v.2?

Reflect:

  1. How have you experienced God as the Father?
  2. When have you been like the older brother, quietly resentful of God’s lavishness to less deserving people?

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

 

 

Lesson 8: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Bible Text:  Luke 18:9-14

Open:When you were in high school, what did it take for you to be in the “In” crowd? What was a guaranteed way to be out?

Dig:

  1. If Jesus told this story today, what group of people would be the Pharisees? The Tax collector?
  2. How does this parable demonstrate authentic faith?
  3. What does this parable teach about God?

 

Reflect:

  1. When have you been like the Pharisee in this story? The tax collector?
  2. What accounts for the difference?
  3. Considering your attitude towards others in the present time, which are you most like? Why?

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

 

 

 Lesson 9: The Pearl and the Net

Bible Text:  Matthew 13: 44-52

Open:With the proceeds of a garage sale, what worthy item would you buy or have bought?

Dig:

  1. What do the parables in v.44-46 Teach about the kingdom? With what emotion and energy should that be pursued?
  2. What does the parable about the net teach about the Kingdom of heaven?
  3. Who are the teachers of the old law instructed in the new gospel in v.52?

Reflect:

  1. Compare the man and the merchant, how valuable is the kingdom to you and why?
  2. Read verses 53-58. Familiarity breeds contempt (for a hometown prophet) this also applies to all of us who grew up “knowing Jesus”. What does this story teach us about assuming that we know all about Jesus?
  3. What Relation does our faith have to Jesus’ ability to be at work? Why does he look for faith?

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder

Lesson 10: The Workers In The Vineyard

 

Bible Text: Matthew 20:1-16

Open:Which folks in a specific profession do you admire for their work ethic?Why?

Dig:

  1. To what is the Kingdom of Heaven compared to?
  2. Why are identical wages given to all the workers? Who is discontent and why (v.10-12)?
  3. Is the landowner’s practice unjust? Generous? Or both?
  4. Who gets any less of God, the eleventh hour converts (gentiles) or those who should have known God all along from the first hour (Jews)?

Reflect:

  1. If you would have been the first hired, how would you feel about this system?
  2. How do you feel knowing that those who have not been lifelong believers will get exactly the same reward in the kingdom?
  3. Would you recommend people wait as long as possible to come to Christ, so they don’t have to work so hard or give up so much? Why?

**Pray for Empty Chair

** Community Service Project Reminder