When Jesus spoke to the multitudes, He often explained deep truths by means of parables—stories about common events, circumstances, and things that His listeners could easily relate to. Times have changed, but the timeless truths contained in the parables of Jesus are just as relevant today and just as feeding to our souls as they were to those who first heard them 2,000 years ago!
The Parable of the Sower: The seed of God’s Word
Matthew 13:3–23
Key Verse • Matthew 13:23 NLT: The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
The Good Samaritan: “Who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:25–37
Key Verses • Luke 10:36–37 NLT: “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
The Prodigal Son: God’s everlasting love
Luke 15:11–32
Key Verses • Luke 15:18–20 NLT: I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.” … And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
The Two Houses: What is your foundation?
Matthew 7:24–27
Key Verses • Matthew 7:24–25: Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
The Unmerciful Servant: A lesson in forgiveness
Matthew 18:23–35
Key Verses • Matthew 18:32–33 NIV: Then the master … said, “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”
The Rich Fool: Be generous—Don’t hoard material goods
Luke 12:16–21
Key Verses • Luke 12:20–21 NIV: But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.