Layman's (Laywoman's) Study of the Parables of Jesus Christ
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What is is a parable? A story story that clarifiys another point that Jesus thought you needed to understand. I found many definitions, in various dictionaries and Bible glossaries. And I asked a number of people what the word meant to them. But I know, that as a teacher in Sunday School, first young teens and later adults, a parable is a tool that just comes out of your mouth when you see the blank look of “I don’t understand" reflected in your students' eyes! As a teacher, you WANT them to take in and soak up every thought you present. So often I try to explain a point by taking something familiar to my students and showing them the likeness to the idea I am trying to explain. All teachers and public speakers do this! I am NOT surprised that the Greatest Teacher, with the Most Important Message, Jesus Christ, teaching the Plan of Salvation, used this tool in His ministry. There is a question of how many parables He used. But there is no question that He used them effectively. There are parables throughout the Bible, Old and New Testaments. There are at least ten parables in the Old Testament but I will limit this study to the parables that are found in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Those are the books that quote Jesus’ words more directly so that is where we will look for His teachings. I will occasionally refer to the other books for a clearer understanding of His words. It is my goal to find and identify all the parables Jesus used, if I can. I guess I have bitten off a big mouthful to even attempt this, but for some reason, I think I am supposed to try. I will have to say that this is the most exciting project I have taken on since my babies were new and I could see the future of raising them. So with the leadership of the Holy Spirit, I will continue. I beg you to be patient with me and watch my opinions develop as I work through this project. It is my prayer that it will help someone reach an understanding of Jesus and His love. Even through my study so far, I have come to see Him and those around Him as real people. They are no longer people in an old, old story that I heard when I was a little girl. I hope through this study you too can get to know them on a personal basis as I have.
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About the Book
The Parables are indeed a good way to know Jesus on a more personal level! By doing more than just reading them (STUDYING THEM) you can learn the thoughts that were close to His heart. You can become more familiar with the things He thought were important. You can realize that He not only expects you to walk in God's will, but you will learn that He has told you how to do that! He never expected you to live to a certain standard without telling you how to accomplish it! All we have to do is study His word! It is His promise that "all things are possible..." even walking in His will!
About the Author
As an Adult Sunday School class teacher, I occasionally asked a "triovia" question just to keep everyone on their toes and to give them something to look for on their own. these questions were just for fun usually; like "How many wives did David have?" One morning the question was "How many parables did Jesus teach?" I knew there was a list in the back of my Bible so I thought it would be an easy question. Boy was I wrong! Each student it seemed had a different list! First off, I wanted to be able to give them an accurate answer. Second it just took on a life of it's own and I felt like I HAD to have the answer! So I began this study... The more I studied the more I was convinced I was SUPPOSE to teach these special words of Our Christ. As I wrote "lessons" for my class I grew more and more aware of the help I was receiving from the Holy Ghost and I watched as it became a larger project. Now it is a book! Wow! and now my class is MUCH bigger! It is no longer limited to our corner of South Carolina! It amazes me that this book will travel to corners that I will never see. The Holy Spirit spent a lot of time with me so that we all could learn from the words that Jesus spoke all those years ago... God bless and enjoy...Mary