Have you ever heard a really good story, or possibly you watched a movie and just fell in love with the story behind it? You remember what it was like the first time you heard that story? Do you remember what it was like the first time you heard the ins and outs of that story? I am going to try to get there again.
In the next series of posts, I am going back to read some of the stories that Jesus told. These stories are called parables. There are a couple of introductions or observations to make when discussing parables. The first and probably most important is to understand the context Jesus used parables in. Jesus was a very metaphorical teacher. He used fictional parables that He made up to express a specific truth. The beautiful part was that Jesus was a phenomenal story teller. He would captivate people with his parables and they would hang on every word. Through these parables, Jesus main goal was to express one specific truth. The second important observation when understanding parables is that Jesus always placed you in them. You always fall within the context of one of the characters, situations, possibilities…etc. You are in the story, somewhere. God is also somewhere in the story. There is usually a father/ruler/king/master figure in the parables that Jesus taught.
So, as I study through these parables, and as you join me, there are a few questions I want us to think about before we race to the end of the parables.
1. Where am I in the story?
2. Where is God in the story?
3. What is the one thing Jesus was getting at?
I will try my best to get one up at least once a week.
—————-
Food for thought: Curious to see what I come up with? Why no read them with me? I will try to give an idea of what the “next step” is at the end of every post. Read it, love it, and learn it with me!
leadershape 