Title: Parables Bible Study 1A: Overview and Outline

Age: 13+ years

Handout for note taking: Bible Study Worksheet

Begin with a prayer. Review the outline, objectives and requirements for the participants of this bible study.

Outline:
The idea is for each bible study session to flow as follows:

• Prayer
• Read Passage
• Quiet Reflection, let God speak to our hearts through the Holy Spirit
• Reflection
• Discussion
• Application
• Read Passage
• Quiet Reflection
• Prayer
• Theme

Objectives:

• Repentance: to change our minds and hearts;
• Purification: to distance ourselves from the things of this world and turn towards the things of God;
• Illumination: Acquisition of the Holy Spirit, to become vessels of Divine Presence and Grace.

Requirements:
Requirements from each individual participating in this bible study are the following:

• Prayer
• Fasting
• Charity
• Trust in God
• Non-judgmental heart and spirit
• Application of the scriptures to our daily lives

Having reviewed the above, continue the introduction with, "The truths of the Gospel come to us in a variety of ways, one of the ways is Parables. There are about 30 in the New Testament Gospels. Parables are a means of communicating spiritual truths using familiar earthly things, and their overall focus in the Kingdom. Many people dispute their authenticity, etc. Here we will accept them as the word of God, an inspired text. Ultimately, understanding the parables is only possible for those, ‘. . .who are converted and have opened their hearts to receive [the truth and Christ].'* This is connected to how we come to understand the parables as the notion of what type of perspective they provide for us. In and through Christ everything is new, all is refashioned, and every standard is reconditioned. Therefore the Parables often place demands upon us that can be unfamiliar or difficult. In examining them closely, it is hoped that we can draw out their life bearing and life giving lessons, and by God's grace apply these lessons to the way we live each day."

Continue with presenting the first parable, the Parable of the Sower (see below for link).

Note: The following is the suggested order of presentation for the parables. See below for links to each parable study session.

1. The Sower
2. The Wheat and the Tares
3. The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
4. The Treasure, the Pearl and the Dragnet
5. The Unmerciful Servant
6. The Laborers and the Vineyard
7. The Marriage Feast of the King's Son
8. The Ten Virgins
9. The Talents
10. The Vineyard (Wicked Husbandmen)
11. The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
12. The Prodigal Son
13. The Unrighteous Steward
14. The Rich Man and Lazarus
15. The Sheep and the Goats
16. The Publican and the Pharisee
17. The Tenacious Widow
18. The Rich Fool
19. The Servants Waiting for Their Lord
20. The Great Supper
21. The Tower Builder and the King Who Would Go to War
22. The Good Shepherd

Prepared by Fr. Evan Armatas

*The Parables, Archbishop Dmitri, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY, p. 11.

Return to Parables Bible Study page.