FOCUS VERSE
6 “…blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Matthew 11:6 (ESV)

THE SETTING:
1 “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables…” Matthew 13:1-3 (NIV)

WHAT PARABLES ARE:
•

WHAT PARABLES DO:
• JESUS’ PARABLES DESCRIBE THE

17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:17 (ESV)

24 “…The kingdom of heaven is like…. 31 …The kingdom of heaven is like….33 …The kingdom of heaven is like…. 44 …The kingdom of heaven is like…. 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like…” Matthew 13: 24, 31, 33, 44, 47 (NIV)

WHY DID JESUS USE THEM?
10 “The disciples came to him and asked, ‘Why do you speak to the people in parables?’” Matthew 13:10 (NIV)

1. AS A

34 “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Matthew 13:34-35 (NIV)

2. TO

11 “He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.’” Matthew 13:11 (NIV)

• GROUP 1: YOU = PEOPLE

• GROUP 2: THEM = PEOPLE

12 “’Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.’” Matthew 13:12 (NIV)

• WHEN PEOPLE

13 “’This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’” Matthew 13:13 (NIV)

o GOD (THROUGH CHRIST) FIRST

1 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4 (ESV)

o

14 “’In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.”’” Matthew 13:14-15 (NIV)

• WHEN PEOPLE

16 “’But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.’” Matthew 13:16 (NIV)

• PARABLES

17 “’For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.’” Matthew 13:17 (NIV)

BOTTOM LINE:

DON’T

NEXT STEPS
• SOPC BABY BOTTLE BLESSINGS
o Pick one up at the GET Connected Hub, and bless the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center!
• G-KIDS DANCE CAMP: “Start the Party” – June 23-27th
o Registrations are open for this one-of-a-kind summer opportunity. Sign up your G-kid today.
• IS GNG FOR ME
o Immediately after 2nd service today.