Parables - Introduction

Parable Series (pt. 1)

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We've all come across Jesus' parables. Some of these stories have been revisited time and again throughout our lives.

But haven't we all, at some point, finished reading a parable and wondered, "What exactly did that mean?"

In the ancient Near Eastern culture, storytelling techniques like parables and fables were cornerstones of communication. Jewish Rabbis and their audiences eagerly anticipated teachings being shared through captivating stories that sparked their imaginations.

By narrating a simple parable, listeners could easily recall the teachings about God as they went about their day. Seamlessly intertwined with Biblical references, these stories highlighted profound truths about God, His kingdom, and our role in it. As these tales are passed down, the embedded truths resonate more deeply over time.

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Lesson Plan: 

introduction_to_parables_lesson_plan.pdf
File Size:	199 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Reference Material: 

There are many good books on parables. I will provide a reference to three.

The first book - mentioned in the video - is by Kenneth E. Bailey. If you want to understand more about Jesus and the Eastern Culture as well as a number of his parables, this book is a must-read. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels

The second book is by Brad Young and explores many of Jesus' parables through a Rabbinic perspective: The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation

The final book, which I mention in the video, is best if you're further down the road in your studies. The book is a compilation of Rabbinic Parables, but the authors do not spend time going through Jesus' parables. 

They Also Taught in Parables: Rabbinic Parables from the First Centuries of the Christian Era by McArthur and Johnston. 

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Fig Tree Ministries · Parables Part 1