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GOSPEL
LECTURE 11
THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF JESUS

  1. To present the chief characteristics Christ's teaching method
  2. To define and describe Christ's use of parables.
  3. To acquaint  the student with Christ's parables contained in Luke 15.

Content of Lecture

I. The Nature of Christ's Teaching Method

A. One of the principle fetes of Christ's teaching was the authority with which he taught Matthew 7:29 stated that, "He light as ore who hi Anthony and not as their teachers of the law".

B. Another principle feature of Christ's method was His love for people. One page 85 of Stewart's ted, the author sued that, "from his roving spirit, the spirits of his pupils were continually catching fine". This love was exemplified in John 8:1-11 end Matthew 23:27-29.

C. Figurative language was another important characteristic of Christ's teaching. Jesus often made use of metaphors (Matthew 16:11), hyperboles (Matthew 7:3), Id parables (see NlV Study Bible, pp. 1570 -1571 for exhaustive list.)

II. Christ's Use of Parables

A. The word parable comes from the Greek word parabole which means "to cast along side" Gundry defines parable as an "extended figure of speech often in story form", p. 138. A common definition is that a parable is "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. '

B. Christ used parables for two reasons:

III. Three Examples of Parables Told by Christ. (TN1)

Luke 15 contains three parables which all have a similar meaning. In each parable there is something lost, a seeker attempting to find that which is lost, and a celebration when that which is lost is discovered. Christ was illustrating God's attitude toward sinners (the lost) when they come to Him and are ' found'. The elder son in the final parable most probably represents the religious establishment mentioned in verse 2. the scribes and Pharisees resented the attention which Christ gave to sinners.

A. The Lost Sheep vs. 3 7 (TN2)
B. The Lost Coin vs. 8-10 (TN3)
C. The Lost Son vs. 11-32 (TN4) (TN5)

IV. Themes of Other Parables Christ Taught:

A. Forgiveness

1. Luke 7:4143
2. Matthew 18:23-24

B. Generosity

1. Luke 12:16-22

C. Humility

1. Luke 14:7-14
2. Luke 14:16-24

D. Judgment

1. Matthew 25:3146
2. Luke 13:6-9
3. Luke 16:19-31

E. The kingdom

1. Matthew 13:3-8, 1~23; Mark 4:3-8, 14-20; Luke 8:5-8, 1 1-15
2. Matthew 13:2430, 36 43
3. Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19
4. Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21
5. Matthew 13:44
6. Matthew 13:4546
7. Matthew 13:47-50
8. Matthew 13:52
9. Matthew 20:1-16
10. Matthew 22:2-14
11. Mark 4:26-29

F. The Law

1. Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21; Luke 5:36
2. Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-38

G. The Lord's Return

1. Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48
2. Matthew 25:1-13
3. Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40
4. Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:2~29; Luke 21:29-31

H. Mercy

1. Luke 10:30-37

I. Prayer

1. Luke 11:5-8

 

Assignments

1. Read Matthew 5-7
2. Read Hester pp. 144-145
3. Read Gundry pp. 132-136

RESOURCES

TEACHER'S NOTES

TN1 In the past, some scholars have maintained that parables have only one point or central truth and the meaning of details in the parables should not be stressed. Gundry however states that "there is no hard and fast distinction between a parable with a single point and a multifaceted allegory. Allowances must be made for some allegorism in parables, especially the longer ones". (p. 138)

TN2 Notice the shepherds loving care for the lost sheep. v. 5

TN3 Note the diligence of the woman as she searches for her coin. v 8

TN4 Note the forgiving spins of the Other toward his son (vs. 22-244. Observe the attitude of the elder son who refused to acknowledge the positive nature of the younger son's return.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

DQ How is it possible to be authoritative and loving at the same time?

DQ Why would Jesus sometimes obscure the truth by His parables?

DQ 5 Do you see similarities to the two sons in our society and are you more like the prodigal son, or the elder son'

 

Updated Thursday, February 24, 2000


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