Parables

Heard & Unseen Stories From Jesus

Life Group Questions

[expand title=”The Sower”]
5&6.October.2019
Luke 8:1-15

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 8:1-15, Isaiah 6:9-10, and Matthew 13:34-35. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What is a parable? Do you have a favorite parable? How are parables sometimes misunderstood?
Jesus said the “seed” is the Word of God. How much of a “seed sower” are you? How can you grow in this area?
Are you more likely to be preoccupied with “worries,” “riches,” or “earthly pleasure”? How does this affect your spiritual life?
How’s your heart? Is it hard? Shallow? Distracted? Good? Are you more likely to try to fix your own heart, or to trust that Jesus has already done that work for you? How can the others in the Life Group be praying for you?

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[expand title=”Holt Venue: The Good Samaritan”]
12&13.October.2019
Luke 8:10:25-37

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 10:25-37. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What are some of the presumptions you have had about the “Good Samaritan” text? Did those presumptions change? Why or why not?
Jesus in hearing the question from the lawyer in Luke 10:25, responds by pointing to what the law says to do. Where in your life have you experienced the tension of doing what the Bible says and the freedom of the Gospel?
Where in your life are you tempted to justify yourself, and with what? What areas in your life do you believe you have it together and don’t need God’s help? Where in your life do you need to trust the Gospel? Turn to pages 10 and 11 in your “More of the Same” notebook. How would you answer the questions found on those pages? How are you uniquely skilled, positioned, or wired to connect with people and point them to Jesus?
How does experiencing the positional truth in Ephesians 2, encourage us to love others sacrificially?
Read Isaiah 53:4-6, 12. What parallels can you see between the suffering servant and the parable that we read earlier?

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[expand title=”MSU Venue: What Should I Do?”]
13.October.2019
Luke 10:25-37

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 10:25-37. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
The expert of the law asked the question, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” If you were there in Jesus’ time, how would you have responded to this individual?
The Mosaic Law held to specific purposes, two of which were: 1) to show that perfection was impossible to attain and 2) for the Israelites to be a distinct nation and people of God. How does this completely change with the New Covenant brought in through the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
The parable of the Good Samaritan is not only about doing kind acts. But another read of the parable is to show the depravity of mankind not only through the story’s content but also in the response of the law’s expert. Go around your Life Group and have people share their interpretation of the parable. What are some commonalities that exist among everyone’s interpretation? What are some differences that popped up?
Who is your neighbor? How do you interpret this question? How can you reach out to your literal neighbor and “your neighbor” figuratively speaking?

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[expand title=”REO Town Venue: Who Is My Neighbor?”]
13.October.2019
Luke 10:25-37

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 10:25-37. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What are some common applications of this passage? Do you think that they get to the core of what Jesus was trying to teach in answering this man’s question?
What is the question the man asks of Jesus and how does Jesus use the story to answer that question?
The story shows us a type of mercy that is difficult and greatly expands those who we have a social responsibility to treat as neighbors. How does this burden make you feel? How does Jesus take away the weight of this burden?
Jesus has fulfilled the law in our place and allowed us the freedom to live abundantly in him. What picture of this abundant life do we see in this passage?

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[expand title=”Westside Venue: The Good Samaritan”]
13.October.2019
Luke 8:10:25-37

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 10:25-37. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
Reflect on your life up to this point. What have been some important, life-altering questions you have asked? When do you remember questioning what you believed about yourself and God?
Read Luke 10:25-37. What is Jesus’ posture toward the man he is interacting with? How does he share truth with him? How does this challenge you?
Where in your life are you tempted to justify yourself? What areas of your life do you believe you have it together and don’t need God’s help? Where in your life do you need to trust the Gospel?
Read Romans 5:6-10. We have been declared righteous, saved from wrath, and reconciled. How does this truth of who you are, encourage you to love others sacrificially?

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[expand title=”Weeds & Wheat”]
19&20.October.2019
Matthew 13:24-43

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 13:24-43. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
Do you find yourself making evaluations about the eternal future of others? What is the basis of your evaluation?
Imagine living your life going forward assuming you do not know which people are the wheat and which people are the weeds. How would that change your perspective? Your actions?
Read Matthew 13:44. How does knowing that you are the treasure Jesus gave up everything to acquire impact you?
How are you being impacted by the Parables series so far? Any surprises? What new insights have you had? If you have some time this week, take a few minutes to read Matthew 25 in preparation for next week’s teaching on the parable of the talents.

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[expand title=”Holt Venue: The Talents”]
27&28.October.2019
Matthew 25, I Corinthians 4:1-5

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 25 and I Corinthians 4:1-5. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
Do you tend to have more of a “box top” (long term / keeping the big picture in mind) or a “box bottom” (short term / more immediate) mindset? What can you do to increase your focus on eternal things?
What are you thankful for? What has God given to you? How have you been able to invest if for God’s glory?
Read Matthew 25:29-46. Do you find Jesus’ words to be “hard” or “harsh”? What are some other “hard” or “harsh” statements Jesus made that you have difficulty accepting?
What surprised you about the parable of the talents? How will your interaction with this parable change the way you think, feel, or live?

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[expand title=”MSU Venue: Good & Faithful Servant”]
27.October.2019
Matthew 25:14-30, 1 John 2:28, James 2:22 & 26

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 25:14-30, 1 John 2:28, James 2:22 & 26. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
The Parable of the Talent has the traditional interpretation of “talents” being the gifts that God has given to us. Using this interpretation, what are the different gifts, skills, personalities, and/or characteristics that God has given to you to spread His Gospel?
If we interpret the “talents” to actually be a lifetime worth of faith in Jesus that Jesus entrusts us with, what are you doing to grow that faith over your life? What is the danger of simply burying your faith in the ground?
The Parable of the Talents is in the context of Jesus explaining His second coming, when the “end of the age” will occur. How does having a healthy Biblical understanding of the end times affect your faith in the present?
Our perception, understand, and belief of who Jesus is, will dictate how we live out our faith. Who do you say Jesus is? And how does this affect your faith?

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[expand title=”REO Town Venue: Faith(ful) Now, Accepted Later”]
27.October.2019
Matthew 25:13-30; Luke 23:39-43; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Hebrews 11:6;

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 25:13-30; Luke 23:39-43; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Hebrews 11:6;. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What does it mean to have faith in Christ and faithfulness to Him? How is faith connected to faithfulness?
Read Matthew 25:14-30 and try to interpret Jesus’ symbolism. Who is the Master in the parable and what is His journey all about? What does He expect out of His servants?
What Has God entrusted you with? What spiritual and natural gifts do you have; what circumstantial opportunities have you been given?
How have you stewarded the gifts God has given? That is, how have you responded to the Gospel and the opportunities God has put in your life?
Consider the idea of being eternally secure because of believing in Jesus for salvation. How does putting trust in Christ’s perfect faithfulness make up for Christians’ imperfect faith and faithfulness?

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[expand title=”Westside Venue: Talents”]
27.October.2019
Matthew 24:1-3, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Peter 4:10

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 24:1-3, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Peter 4:10. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What do you look forward to with anticipation? How does the timing of something being unknown change your excitement?
What we believe about God informs how we live. How does our view of God change the way we live out our faith? How does Christianity compare to other faiths or worldviews?
What does gratefulness to God look like for you? How can you foster greater gratefulness in your life as a follower of Jesus?
Imagine that you knew with certainty that Jesus would return tomorrow, next week, or next month. What would we choose to do today? How would his return change how we live right now? Take time to pray for one another and think about the ways you have been gifted to live out your faith expectantly as a follower of Jesus.

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[expand title=”Unforgiving Servant”]
2&3.November.2019
Matthew 18:15-35

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 18:15-35. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What is forgiveness? Why is it challenging to forgive? Why should we forgive anyway?
What is the effect in your own life (heart, mind, soul) when you choose to NOT forgive others?
Describe impact of the forgiveness of Jesus in your own life. How does the example of Jesus motivate you to choose to forgive others even when it’s hard to do so?
Next week we will be studying the parable of the vineyard workers. If you have some time this week, take a few minutes to read Matthew 20:1-16 in preparation for next week’s teaching and discussion.

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[expand title=”Vineyard Workers”]
9&10.November.2019
Matthew 20:1-16

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Matthew 20:1-16. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
What are some common beliefs in our culture about how a person attains eternal life? What is your belief? Are you sometimes tempted to believe (or live like) your good works will earn you eternal life?
By asking the man in the parable to “give all you have,” Jesus was likely putting his finger on the primary idol in the man’s life.
What does Jesus mean when He says, “many who are first shall be last and the last first”? Are there people (or categories of people) who you are tempted to push to the margins? Are you able to reflect God’s generosity toward you in the way you view and treat others? How can you grow in this area?
Next week we will be studying the parable of the friend at midnight. If you have some time this week, take a few minutes to read Luke 11:5-13 in preparation for next week’s teaching and discussion.

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[expand title=”Holt Venue: Shameless Boldness”]
16&17.November.2019
Luke 11:5-13

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 11:5-13. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
If you could describe your current prayer life right now, what words would you use? Why do you think persistence in prayer is so difficult?
What does shameless boldness look like in your faith?
What do you need to be shamelessly bold in asking God for?
How does seeing God as “Our Father” change the way we approach him in prayer?

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[expand title=”MSU & REO Town Venues: The Purpose of Prayer”]
17.November.2019
Luke 11:5-13

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 11:5-13. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
Take a current assessment of your prayer life. How often do you pray each day (not including meal times)? How often do you pray each week? If you believe you have a healthy prayer life, share with your Life Group what habits/rhythms you have in place. If you believe you don’t have a healthy prayer life (no shame in that), what are some simple steps you can incorporate in your daily and weekly rhythms to grow your prayer life?
A common misconception about prayer that people have is that if we pray with all of the faith we can muster up, God will in fact give us what we request. And yet, that is not what we see all of the time. What are some helpful ways to process through such a difficult situation?
Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock. It is a well known trio of words regarding prayer. Is there a difference with these three when it comes to prayer? Or do they all mean the same thing? What are some things in your life right now that you are “asking, seeking, and knocking” for?
Prayer is meant to bring us closer to God by allowing us to communicate and commune with Him, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Pick out one time of the day this week to spend at least 30 min. to commune with God through prayer and reading of the Word.

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[expand title=”Westside Venue: God Himself”]
17.November.2019
Luke 11:5-13

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 11:5-13. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
As seen in the Lord’s Prayer, what are some truths about God that you can thank Him for? Take some time to pray as a group, seeing God for who He is and the greatness of His glory.
How do you respond to the idea of God as your Father? What baggage do you bring into that relationship, and how does Scripture address that baggage?
As Josh talked about posturing our lives as bringing ourselves and our asks to God, what is something you can commit to asking God for in your life?
If you’re a follower of Christ, you are a child of God and securely in His righteousness. How does that truth give you freedom to walk in this life?

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[expand title=”The Lost”]
23&24.November.2019
Luke 15:1-32

Conversation with your Life Group:

Take a few minutes to read aloud the Scripture from Luke 15:1-32. What truths about God can be understood from these passages? What observations can be made about people? What questions come to mind?
Think back to the time you were “lost” in a spiritual sense. What were you like? What were you living for? What were you hoping would fulfill you?
What is your “found” story? How did you become a Christian? How has your life changed since you have started following Jesus? Where do you still struggle?
Who in your life are you hoping comes to faith in Christ? Are you praying for them? Take time to update your “More of the Same” notebook with any more names of people you are praying for.
Reflect on the Parables series. Which parable impacted you the most significantly? Which truths are you striving to live out in your Christian faith? Take time to pray for one another as a life group.

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