Sunday: Teaching in Parables — Matthew 13:1-3, 10-17; Mark 4:1-2, 10-13; Luke 8:4, 9-10
In this week’s lesson, the Scripture emphasis is on the portion of Matthew 13 in which Jesus is teaching the multitudes. (In the following portion, He is teaching just to His disciples.) The word “parable” comes from the Greek word parabole (Hebrew, mashal) and covers a wide variety of literature that uses figurative language: proverbs, axioms, allegories, metaphors. They are illustrative truths comparing the spiritual to everyday Christian life. Their figurative nature is meant to sharpen the hearing of the listener, provoke reflection, and rouse curiosity.
Monday: The Parable of the Sower — Matthew 13:3-9; Mark 4:3-9; Luke 8:5-8
In Palestine, the sowing of seed was done before the earth was plowed. The farmer would scatter the seed. Some seed would land on good soil, but the parable says three-fourths of it landed on unsuitable soil. The message of this parable draws the conclusion that despite seemingly insurmountable odds, opposition, and indifference, the message of Jesus about the Kingdom of Heaven will grow to fruition and achieve great success.
Tuesday: The Sower Explained — Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:14-25; Luke 8:11-18
In this parable, God is the sower, the seed is the Word of God, and the various types of soil represent you and me. In closely examining the kinds of soil, we can see that they symbolize four types of heart-attitudes: hardened; distracted; defeated; and hopeful. These heart-attitudes are direct responses to the Word of God. Some people respond with hardened hearts; some with hearts distracted by the things of the world. Yet still others hear the Word of God and respond with trepidation, fearing the worst, and seeing negatives, rather than positives. But the parable says the Word of God also falls on hearts that are ready to receive the Word—those hearts are pliable and malleable. Which heart is yours?
Wednesday: The Seed Sprouts & Grows — Mark 4:26-29
This parable’s emphasis is on the growth of the Kingdom of God. First, it’s interesting to note that the farmer purposely planted—he went out and sowed seed—showing both initiative and understanding of purpose. The second point here is that the seed has life. The farmer doesn’t have to dig up the seed to see if it’s growing, he can just know that it is. Next the parable reveals the stages of growth: blade, head, then mature grain. Then it’s time for the harvest!
Thursday: The Tares — Matthew 13:24-30
This parable teaches that there are two who are farming: God and Satan. Even as the growth of weeds are seen, Jesus cautions patience. There will come a day when the weeds will be separated from the wheat.
Friday: The Mustard Tree — Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32
The focus of the parable is the growth of the Kingdom of God. It can be applied to the church: that from one person, Jesus, the church has grown to billions who claim Jesus as Lord. The parable is also about spiritual growth: that from a small iota of faith, a strong and powerful faith grows.
Saturday: The Leavened Loaf — Matthew 13:33-35; Mark 4:33-34; Luke 13:20-2 1
The Kingdom of Heaven works like leaven. Leaven is a fermented substance that causes dough to rise (as in yeast). When you infuse Jesus’ Word into a life, it begins to produce righteousness. It works like leaven works, sometimes slowly, sometimes rapidly, but always until the Word of God has completely transformed the person. And it only takes a little tiny bit of leaven to make incredible change—you don’t have to overwhelm a person with religious knowledge. The simple truth is God’s Word has power to create great change, even in small doses.