Parables of Jesus Study Guide #11 (Parable of the Prodigal Son/Waiting Father)

Begin with the song "Your Grace is Enough"

Share  your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting

Read  the Lesson (Luke 15: 11-32)

Talk  and discuss among the following questions:

1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?

2)  Have you ever felt like running away from it all (even faith!).  What caused that feeling?

3)  Consider the older brother. Have you ever felt "righteous indignation" toward another when they received grace that you felt was unfair?  How might this be more dangerous to faith than running away and giving up?

4)  Consider the father.  What decisions did he make out of "love" for his sons?    

5)  Consider the prodigal son.  He showed courage to face his sinfulness and mistakes.  He was surprised by grace.  When have your "faced the consequences" only to be surprised by grace? How did this change you?

Pray  with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)

Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"

Parables of Jesus Study Guide #10 (Parable of the Talents)

Begin with the song "Here I Am, Lord"

Share  your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting

Read  the Lesson (Matthew 25: 14-30)

Talk  and discuss among the following questions:

1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?

2)  What are your talents? Don't be shy.  God gave them to you so claim them!

3)  Consider when and how you "risked" your talents for the Lord?  What is the difference between a "good risk" and a "bad risk"?

4)  What do you believe God expects from us and our talents?   

5)  Why might God be frustrated with one who buried their treasure? What might this say to us about discipleship?

Pray  with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)

Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"

Parables of Jesus Study Guide #9 (Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)

Begin with the song "Ocean Floor"

Share  your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting

Read  the Lesson (Matthew 18: 21-35)

Talk  and discuss among the following questions:

1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?

2)  Consider and share a story of forgiveness, either when you received forgiveness or when you offered forgiveness?

3)  Why do you believe it is hard to offer forgiveness to others?  Why do you believe it is hard to offer forgiveness to yourself?

4)  Why do you believe it is hard to ask for forgiveness?   

5)  There is great power in forgiveness.  How might your family, community, congregation, or even the world be better if there was more forgiveness?

Pray  with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)

Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"

Parables of Jesus Study Guide #8 (Parable of the Rich Fool)

Begin with the song "Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven"

Share  your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting

Read  the Lesson (Luke 12: 16-21)

Talk  and discuss among the following questions:

1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?

2)  What do your worry about the most?  What is the source of this worry?

3)  How does worry impact our relationship with God? Give examples.  

4)  How does your faith affect your financial decisions? Give an example.

5)  How can we prepare for the future and still trust in God? Discuss how people of faith can do this well.

Pray  with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)

Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"

Parables of Jesus Study Guide #7 (Parable of the Tares)

Begin with the song "Change My Heart, O God"

Share  your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting

Read  the Lesson (Matthew 13: 24-30)

Talk  and discuss among the following questions:

1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?

2)  What are the "weeds" in your life right now? How are they affecting the "wheat" in your life?

3)  Who are the "weeds" in your life? How are they affecting your ability to live your life of faith?  

4)  Why would Jesus say to allow the weeds and the wheat to live together?  How might this teach us something about how we grow in faith and discipleship?

5)  Do you find assurance in the promise that the weeds will one day be separated from the wheat?

Pray  with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)

Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"

Parables of Jesus Study Guide #6 (Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl)

Begin with the song "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"

Share  your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting

Read  the Lesson (Matthew 13: 44-46)

Talk  and discuss among the following questions:

1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?

2)  Have you ever desired something enough to consider giving up everything for it? If so, how do you feel about it now? 

3)  What does it mean to you to know that you are "precious" in the sight of the Lord?  What are your "precious" qualities?   

4)  Why would Jesus give up everything for you and your salvation? What might this say about Jesus?

5)  How could you thank Jesus in your life for his gift of grace?

Pray  with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)

Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"

Parables of Jesus Study Guide #5 (Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)

Begin with the song "Just As I Am"

Share  your Highs and Lows for the week or since your last meeting

Read  the Lesson (Luke 18: 9-14)

Talk  and discuss among the following questions:

1) What image / person / situation stood out to you in the story and why? What did it make you feel or understand about God?

2)  Consider a time you felt "better than" someone else.  It's human, we all do it.  Still, try to consider who it is that you may more often than not feel some superiority to.  Why do you believe that is?

3)  The prayer of the tax collector is so genuine.  Have you ever prayed with such heartfelt emotion? When? Why? What may have contributed to the tax collector praying so powerfully?  

4)  Discuss the following quote from Mother Theresa, "You never know Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you've got."  

5)  Where do you do your most honest and genuine praying?

Pray  with and for each other (you can use the Lord's Prayer or sing the Doxology)

Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each other's forehead and saying "The Lord Bless You and Keep You!"