In the last study, we looked at Jesus the healer.
But people didn't come just to be healed by him; they also
wanted to listen to him. Large crowds from all over the
country would come to hear what he had to say. He talked
about: God's Kingdom, prayer, wise and foolish lifestyles,
love and forgiveness, and also himself.
Not everyone liked Jesus' teaching. He was outspoken
against the religious leaders who were hypocrites. He had
enemies who tried to trick him with questions, but he always
managed to give wise answers. Even when the religious leaders
wanted to kill Jesus, they found it hard because the crowds
wanted to listen to his teaching, "not wanting to miss a
single word" (Luke 19:48). In this study, we will discuss two
of the best known parables (stories which teach biblical
truth) that Jesus told.
A. The Good Samaritan
- What would you say are the most
important things in life?
Many people went to Jesus with their important questions.
For one man, his concern focused on what would happen to him
after his death. He asked Jesus how he could "receive eternal
life." Jesus got the man to answer it himself, from the
Scriptures (Luke 10:27).
- What did the man say were the two
most important things in life? (10:27)
- What do you think of the man's
answers?
Jesus was then asked, "Who is my neighbor?" He answered by
telling the story of the good Samaritan.
- What did the priest and Levite do
that was wrong? (10:31,32)
- Did they disobey the principle "I
never do anyone any harm"?
- Did they break the
Law?
- Due to their religious and cultural
upbringing, Jews looked upon the Samaritans (Gentiles) with
contempt. How did the Samaritan in this parable show
love?
- How would you answer the question,
"Who is my neighbor?"
Jesus acts as a good Samaritan towards us. He sees our
needs and failures, and instead of passing by, he reaches out
to help.
B. The lost son
This is a simple story, yet one of the greatest in the
world of literature. It takes the problems that often arise
between people to illustrate how men and women react toward
God.
- What do you think the younger son
was thinking as he left home? (15:12,13)
- Where did he go?
(15:13)
- How do you think the father felt
when his son had gone?
- Things went fine for awhile. What
happened when things got bad? (15:14-16)
- The son changed his mind. Why?
(15:17)
- How did he show that his attitude
had changed? (15:18-20)
- What was the father's attitude?
(15:20, 22-24)
- In what ways do you think this story is a
picture of our relationship with God?
This story show us that God still offers His love in spite
of our willful selfishness. It also shows us that we can come
back to God, no matter how far we have wandered from Him.
What do you identify with more: the attitude of the son as
he left home or his attitude when he decided to return?
Can you believe that God would accept you as completely as
the father accepted his son?
You may be at a point in your life where you know that you
need God, and want to return to Him. Perhaps you would like to
pray:
Dear Father, I have wandered away
from You, and I have sinned against You. I have not loved
You or other people as I should. I want to come back to You
now, just as the lost son came back to his father. Please
forgive me, and come into my life, so that I can be the
person You want me to be. Amen.
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