1. The Sower The Mustard Seed The Yeast

2. What is a Parable?

3. Parable Definition- a comparison between something that is familiar to something that is unfamiliar A riddle A fable A story A proverb

4. How does Jesus use parables? Illustrations from daily life Uses exaggeration and surprise

5. Why does Jesus use parables? Illustrate truth Conceal message Preserve memory

6. How do we discover the truth of a parable? 3 steps: 1) What comes at the end? (2) What is spoken in direct discourse? (3) To what or whom is the most space devoted?

7. 3 Parables Matthew 13

8. The Parable of the Sower Read Matthew 13: 1-23 What truth is Jesus trying to illustrate with this parable?

9. Lesson: The Parable of the Sower Be the Good Soil! someone who hears, understands, and lives word of God grows produces great fruits

10. The Parable of the Yeast Read Matthew 13: 33 What truth is Jesus trying to illustrate with this parable?

11. The Parable of the Yeast Coming of kingdom begins not with a grand spectacle, but a hidden presence The yeast is “mixed in with” (or hidden in) the flour, like the Kingdom of God is hidden in the world

12. Parable of the Mustard Seed Read Matthew 13: 31-32 What truth is Jesus trying to illustrate with this parable?

13. The Parable of the Mustard Seed God’s kingdom starts small, in time it will grow large The kingdom allows for refuge, like the tree for the birds

14. Activity Write your own parable. What message do you want to teach? Who is your audience How do you want to teach it?