Matthew Bible Study Week 12

 

Week 12: Matthew 13:1-53 Parables of the Kingdom

Read:   NABRE Mt. 13:1-53 (Pay attention to notes)

Watch: Did Jesus Speak in Parables so People Wouldn’t Understand Him?

Meet: We have a new Zoom link here.

Reflect:

1.      Literary Context

a.       After the conflict with “the Jews” in the previous chapter Jesus begins teaching in parables.

2.      The Big Idea.

a.       Jesus proposes 7 parables to illustrate the nature of the kingdom and who will be admitted to it.

3.      Topical outline:

a.       The Parable of the Sower.

b.      The Purpose of Parables.

                                                              i.      Isaiah Chapter 6

c.       The Privilege of Discipleship.

d.      The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower.

e.       The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat.

f.        The Parable of the Mustard Seed.

g.      The Parable of the Yeast.

h.      The Use of Parables.

                                                              i.      Ps. 78:2

i.        The Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds.

j.        Treasures New and Old.

4.      Some questions for discussion

a.       In general the purpose of parables in the Bible is to invoke thought. In the short video clip the author Jimmy Akin defines some ways the use of parables can be effective in teaching and proposes that Jesus’ reference to Isaiah chapter 6 demonstrates a way of separating those who are willing to surrender to the gospel and those who are not. This division is similar to the soils and the weeds among the wheat. How do you answer the question, Did Jesus speak in parables so people wouldn't understand him?

b.      The parable of the sower illustrates four different responses to the gospel message. Only the fourth response (“rich soil”) produces fruit for the kingdom. What did the rich soil have that the others did not?

c.       Jesus quotes Isaiah chapter 6 while explaining to the disciples why he is teaching only in parables. What does this Old Testament passage tell us? Does it’s meaning become more clear if we read the entire chapter 6 (a very short chapter about the call of Isaiah)?

d.      Do we see weeds among the wheat in today’s world? Identify. How can you tell the weeds from the wheat?

e.       What does Jesus mean by “the new and the old” in reference to the disciples?

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