Christ's Parables

Choice 2: Matthew 13: 24-48. The Lord Often Taught with Parables

1.   In the Bible Dictionary read the first three paragraphs under the entry “Parables” (pp. 740-41). In your own words, write a definition of a parable.

·         A parable is a comparison, it conveys truth. We have to seek the truth in a parable in order to find it.

2.    Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:31-32); parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46); parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50). Next to each of the following questions write the name ​of the parable that best answers that question.

·         What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Parable of the mustard seed.

·         Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?

Parable of the gospel net.

parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46);

·         How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier?

Parable of the mustard seed.

·         Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?

parable of the tares

·         Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?

parable of the gospel net

3.    Write answers to the following questions:

o       Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Matthew 13:44-46), what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?

I would be willing to make any sacrifice for the treasure of the gospel.  One great sacrifice that all 4 of my brothers and husband have made is going on missions.

o       What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See Matthew 13:47). What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (See Matthew 13:48-50).

The net represents missionaries. To be gathered into the net means to be baptized. What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away, I think, is the second coming.