New Testament: The Gospels

Transcription

1 : The Gospels LIBERTY HOME ACCELERATED LEARNING PROGRAM Unit 1 Gospel Stage Parables of Christ Part 2

2 Notes of Explanation & Abbreviations 1. Page one of each lesson is the lesson overview or the lesson at a glance. It serves as a planner. 2. Theological Key this activity is to reinforce important theological truths. 3. Memory Work This is an optional activity. You may require your students to complete the memory work or at least one of the verses for a grade. 5. Q: This signifies a question to pose to the class. 6. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the These Scripture quotations are inserted for your convenience and don t necessarily need to be read aloud at this point. Most of these lessons contain more material than can be presented in the time allotted. You can then select what you want to emphasize or clarify. 7. Quiz: The students have completed a quiz in the workbook. Ask them the quiz questions to reinforce their understanding of the material. 8. Establish readiness. This is the settling the class down and get them ready to learn phase of the class session. 9. You are teaching students with His Word, seek the LORD and do what is best for your students regarding assignments, memorization, and quizzes or exams. 154

3 Teacher s Guide Gospel Stage Parables of Christ-Part 2 Opening (10 Minutes) Promptly establish readiness for teaching-learning. Greeting & Opening prayer Take attendance - Grade book Theological Key - Ask the question and one student may reply with the answer. Memory verse - Have volunteers quote a verse Quiz - Read orally. Theological Key Jesus first is the key principle of the true disciple of Christ. Memory Verse I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Lk. 15:7 Teaching (35 minutes) Present lesson goals and objectives Lesson Goal: To consider spiritual truths resident within Christ s parables Instructional Objectives: 1. To compare the parable truth of Luke 10:25-37 with the pharisaical error of those opposing the teaching of Messiah 2. To discover important truths about personal discipleship 3. To learn truths about God concerning prayer, the deceit of riches, the state of the dead and preparedness for the Redeemer s return 155

4 Class Session Unit 1 I. OPENING REMARKS What makes for a godly nation? A systematic proclamation of the truth of the Word of God. The heretical Pharisees opposed the lessons of the Master Teacher in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Jews (read as religious elite. ) were convinced of the reliability of Scripture, but they suffered from faulty interpretation concerning certain aspects of the expected Messiah (Jn. 5:39-40). In particular, they failed to comprehend the doctrine of original sin, that man possessed a sin nature bent on depravity, and that the Messiah would provide salvation of the whole world from sin. This in part contributed to the resistance Jesus experienced during His ministry, both public and private. In this lesson we will see several examples of how Jesus was opposed and who it was that rebelled against His divine teaching. We again, will discuss only a few of parables II. DISCUSSION & APPLICATION A. How to know your neighbor Parable #23 Read Luke 10: The context of the parable a. The lawyer s question was hypothetical, a debater s challenge. b. This calculated testing of the Master boiled down to this: Just how good do I have to be to inherit the eternal life of your kingdom? c. Jesus referred the man to the familiar Scripture of Dt. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18. The stickler was this, and who is my neighbor? (Lk. 10:27). 2. The problem: To the Jews, a neighbor was another Jew! In their self-righteous system, certain types of people were untouchable, e.g., Gentiles, Samaritans, publicans, sinners, etc.. 156

5 3. The solution: Jesus spoke a parable about neighborliness (10:30-37 a. The priests and Levite, religious men and leaders were concerned about touching the man that might be dead which would ceremonially defile them and prevent their serving at the temple (cf. Num. 19:11, 13, 17, 19). They religiously rationalized away the appropriate response God would have them make in this situation of need. Note: Jewish custom on the Sabbath was like this: If a wall fell on a man on the Sabbath, it was permissible to move enough rock to discern whether the victim was a Jew or not. But they could only help another Jew on the Sabbath. b. The Samaritan of course did the right thing, he opened his heart (and wallet) to give first aid, in compassionate and kind service to his fellow man, and this was also service to his God. c. The lesson for us Christianity is practical. Real disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are aware of the needs of others and do something about them, even for those people who are unappealing and unlovely. But isn t that exactly what Jesus did for us? Praise His name! B. Secrets for success Miracle #24 Read Luke 11:5-10 Just as persistence pays off in human affairs (such as a friend seeking help at midnight 11:5 8), it pays off in spiritual matters as well. If we diligently ask, seek, and knock on God s door in prayer (11:9 10), He, being so much more generous than the best earthly father, will answer us (11:11 13). (In the Greek, 11:9 reads, keep on asking etc., as reflected in the NLT.) 11:1 13 ON PRAYER: PERSISTENCE Dr. Luke must have been impressed greatly by the testimonies he heard about our LORD s prayer life. The disciples were obviously impressed as well since they requested that He teach them how to pray. 157

6 Effectual prayer of a righteous one is contagious. C. A fool in a fix Parable #25 Read Luke 12: The setting of the parable: Jesus warned the people about the danger of false doctrine (leaven of the Pharisees) and also of false philosophies (materialism) (cp. 2 Chr. 12; esp. v. 1). 2. The problem: idolatry a. No, Israel was not worshipping idols. But there was a new form of idolatry in a metaphorical sense covetousness! b. Gk. pleonexia which is an inordinate desire to have more than you already possess. How is covetousness an idol? When money, riches, and wealth that you haven t yet obtained becomes your primary focus In this approach to life God is left out completely while you try and satiate that craving for more and more material items. An individual s total dedication of time and talent and treasure is devoted to accumulating things. c. Jesus warned the materialistic Pharisees about this grave sin in Lk. 12:15: Take heed, and bewared of covetousness; for a man s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. d. The Pharisees elevated the rich in their midst. The richer one was, the more blessed of God he was! e. The teachings of Jesus astonished the Pharisees, but at the same time they were offended by the convicting nature of His lesson content. 3. The parable: a. Lk. 12:16 Like the rich men mentioned here, the Pharisees bounty was from God, but they failed to acknowledge Him as the source of their blessing. 158

7 b. Lk. 12:17 The rich man in the parable was a poor steward of what God had entrusted to his care. The Pharisees, likewise, had failed God in this regard. c. What problems did the rich man face that the Pharisees also had to deal with? (1) He had I problems. (2) He ignored God and the needs of others. (3) He ignored the possibility of his own premature death. (4) He was blind to his own need. (5) He was unthankful and took all the credit for himself. (6) He was self-reliant. d. The rich fool and the foolish Pharisees followed a false philosophy: Get all you can, and can all you get. 4. The solution: Christ is the object of our faith. a. The just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:35). Trusting in God is a proper heart attitude toward Him (cf. Prov. 1:7). b. God s faithfulness is a blessing to us and an encouragement, an act of His grace. Shouldn t our own response be one of faith? 5. The lesson: beware the folly of laying up treasures for self. Read Lk. 12: The reward: True riches are available by faith in Jesus Christ, bestowed upon us by the Father, given by the Holy Spirit. Parable #26 D. On being ready for the returning Redeemer Read Luke 12: Lesson point on expectancy When least expected We should anticipate our LORD s second coming. His return will be at an unknown time, just as a thief comes by night without warning. 2. Lesson point on preparedness Jesus contrasted the fates of a faithful and an unfaithful servant (12:42 47), and of two unfaithful servants one who knew his master s will and one who did not (12:45 48). The one who knowingly disobeyed would receive greater punishment. 159

8 3. Lesson point on rewards Verse 37 indicates rewards for the faithful servants. Consider vv and also Lk 19:17 where this principle is taught. Parable #29 E. The three who refused to come to dinner Read Luke14: Jesus First in our family! We must love Jesus our Lord to the point of that love priority over our own family. (14:25 27). See also Matt. 10: F. Count the cost Parable #30 Read Luke 14: Jesus First in our commitments! We must count the cost of our commitment to Christ (14:28 33). Planning and sacrifice are requisites of true discipleship with Christ. 2. Jesus First in our witness. Should be a good influence on others (14:34 35). [Matt. 5:13 16] Parable #31 G. The missing sheep, the misplaced silver and the miserable son 160

9 Read Luke 15: The context of the parables: a. Jesus was in the midst of a crowd of sinners (see vv. 1, 2). The Pharisees and teachers of the law (scribes) took the opportunity to verbally attack Him. b. His response was the following three parables. 2. Lesson one: parable of the lost sheep a. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way (Isa. 53:6) God made the perfect animal to illustrate man s wandering lost condition, the sheep. b. The main focus of this parable is on the lostness of the sinner (that is, the sinner s condition). c. Jesus, the faithful and good shepherd, diligently searches for the lost one (while the 99 are in the care of another). d. Also notice the vital concern (v. 4) given one individual (sheep). Consider also the fact that Christ BORE the burden of the lost one (v. 5), and finally notice the joy both on earth and in heaven over one that was lost but is now found! 3. Lesson two: parable of the lost coin Read vv a. A semedi was a frontlet of ten coins worn on a woman s brow to indicate her betrothal. It was imperative that this woman find the lost coin for it was part of her dowry. b. The main focus of this parable is in the search. Symbolized here is the diligence of the Holy Spirit in seeking out the lost sinner. c. Again, we see the joy in heaven and earth over the recovery of one lost soul. Isn t it comforting to know that God spares no effort or withholds no expense to recover the lost sinner whose value in the sight of God is inestimable. He paid the price with the blood of His own Son. 4. Lesson three: parable of the lost son a. This third and final parable in reply to the Pharisees criticism drives home the point of the lesson: the sinner s repentance and the father s grace. b. The people of the parable: (1) The younger son symbolizes Israel. The nation was to be under the law but rebellion against this divine authority resulted in their servitude to Gentile nations. (2) The elder son symbolizes the hard-hearted Pharisees who knew absolutely nothing of God s love for the poor and helpless sinner whose only hope was in God s mercy and forgiveness. 161

10 (3) Another picture in the parable is that of an individual sinner departing from God and experiencing the retribution that always accompanies sin. (4) The gracious father indeed represents our heavenly Father, who is eager to receive a penitent sinner back into the compassionate arms of God. c. In conclusion the three parables reveal the love of Jesus expressed towards sinners and the unlovely. In sharp contrast to this divine love is the satanic hatred of the Pharisees. End 162

11 Review (5 Minutes) Parable of the good shepherd opposition to Christ s leadership Parable of the good Samaritan opposition to Christ s teachings Parable of the unclean spirit opposition to Christ s ministry Parable of the rich fool opposition to Christ s Lordship How did Christ, the true Shepherd compare to the Pharisaical hirelings? Q & A 1. T F The parable of the secrets of success, is one of three parables about prayer. (True) 2. T F The parable titled How to Know Your Neighbor involved a Samaritan. (True) 3. T F The prayer-lesson in the parable of Ask, Seek and Knock is that persistence is eventually rewarded by God. (True) 4. T F In the parable of the rich man God calls the man a fool. One reason for this is because the man thought he could satisfy his eternal soul with materialistic goods. (True) 5. T F Counting the cost before building or going to battle refers to the discipleship truth that planning and sacrifice are requisites of true discipleship with Christ. (True) Close & Challenge - Make Personal Applications 1. Jesus has counted the cost, can He count on you to commit your all, every time? 2. Will you pay the price? Will you finish strong? Don t make hasty ministry commitments. 3. Submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 4. Submit to the leadership of Jesus Christ. 5. Submit to the stewardship of Jesus Christ. Close in prayer. 163