CHURCH SCHOOL

THE LIFE OF JESUS – THE GOSPELS

TEENS/ PARABLES AND MIRACLES

This file is provided as a resource for Church School directors. Feel free to plug in your own dates and your own teachers.

TEACHERS:  

GENERAL NOTES:

Each teen will have a Bible and a copy of “The Parables”  and “The Miracles of Christ” by Archbishop Dimitri. A copy of each Scripture on a blank sheet of paper for each teen is prepared. While it would be nice to hope that each teen would have read the Scripture and lesson ahead of time, realistically, the first 5-10 minutes of class time will have to be spent reading quietly and meditating on the Scripture. Please work with the students on Bible study techniques – each student should use this year to develop a technique for parsing the Scripture that he or she can carry to college – using colored pencils, outlines, whatever works. Paper, pencils are provided. Discussion, hopefully lively, should follow, finally, after discussing the Scripture as the youth have seen it, using “The Parables” or “The Miracles of Christ” as a guide.

A GUIDE TO BIBLE STUDY

The plan for this year is for each student to develop for himself a method of Bible study that will serve him for years to come. No method is sacred; these are but some suggestions for how to approach the Scriptures. The parables lend themselves especially to intensive study in light of the many levels of interpretation they contain. So, on to suggestions:

1. Begin with a 1-5 minute introduction: Remind the students how to approach the Scriptures. This will take longer the first few weeks and very little time later. Hand out the lessons of the day.

2. Individual time to study the text: This will take about 5-10 minutes. This involves not only reading but a creative approach to learning. Each student will have his own copy of the text of the Scripture to mark on.  Colored pencils will be provided. First look for the facts of the story – who, what, when, where, how – like a newspaper reporter. These might be marked with one color. Then perhaps the student will want to develop their own shorthand of underlining in various colors or drawing arrows to mark repetitions, cause and effect, contrasts, quotations, particular themes, etc. Try dividing the longer readings into paragraphs and titling each paragraph. Finally, the student should also try to put himself in the place of one of the characters and experience the passage as that character would have. What do I smell, taste, see, hear, feel? Do any questions come to mind? Write them down. Anything words, phrases, concepts I don’t understand? Write those down, too. Any similar story come to mind – a movie, book, fairy tale? What about context? Who was Jesus speaking to, where, when, and why? Does this have any implication for the meaning of the passage; for example, what might the people of Jesus’s day have known about the profession of shepherd that would not be obvious today?

3. Sharing observations and questions: Use the questions the group has written down, their observations as they “became” a character, or the leader’s questions to encourage lively discussion. Be sure to help even the shy students to share. The leader must prepare some open-ended questions himself, in case the group becomes bogged down (or is half asleep). Some questions may help the group to envision the scene, some make capture the tension or emotion of the text, some may link the students’ lives to the text, and some may tie portions of the discussion together.  Write the questions down on your large tablet. While the best way for these questions to emerge is in personal prayer and from the group, some potential questions are listed for each reading in case you come up dry.

4. Now take about 5 minutes to read the appropriate section of the book, “ The Parables”  or “The Miracles of Christ” by Archbishop Dmitri. Discuss for several minutes: What answers can we find to our questions and observations in the passage? In the Church Fathers? Are any other questions generated? Can we answer them?

5. Summarize the lesson: The group should decide what main themes emerged in the study of the Scripture in a few sentences.

6. Apply the passage: How will this Scripture affect our lives? What is Jesus asking me personally to do with His truth as revealed in this passage? The Bible was never meant to be merely informative but life-changing!

THE SOWER

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.  Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.  But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.  But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” …

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is he who received seed by the wayside.  But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Matthew 13:3-9,18-23

Potential discussion questions:

1. What types of people are represented by the three types of ground? Can we each be all of these types of ground at different moments in our lives?
2. Why does the sower bother to sow on bad soil? Did Jesus send His disciples, first the 12 and then the 70, to only “deserving” towns or to all the towns? Were they met with joy everywhere?
3. What things in our lives might be represented in this parable?

THE TARES

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.  But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.  So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?  How then does it have tares?’  He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’  The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’  But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”…

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house.  And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”  He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.  The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.  Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.  The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!                                  

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Possible discussion questions:

1. What is the role of the devil, then and now?
2. What might be the tares?
3. How can you tell tares from wheat? In a field? In people?
4. What sort of people might be “tares”?
5. How might we respond to these people?
6. How could the Church Fathers have interpreted the tares to be false teachers?
7. What sorts of false teaching is there and what is its danger?
8. What can we do to protect the field from tares?
9. What is Judgment like?

THE MUSTARD SEED

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.

THE LEAVEN

Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

Matthew 13: 31-33

Possible discussion questions:

1. Any relationship between the two?
2. Any relationship with the parable of the sower or the tares?
3. What is the power of the mustard seed?
4. How can we become like the mustard seed?
5. How does leavening work?
6. Do the parables refer to our souls or those of the whole world (or both)?
7. How can we leaven ourselves? The world?

THE TREASURE, THE PEARL, THE NET

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 13:44-50

Possible discussion questions:

1. What is the kingdom of heaven?
2. What will be required of those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven?
3. Why was the treasure hidden?
4. How are the treasure and the pearl of great price alike? Unlike?
5. How are the bad fish like and unlike the tares?

THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.  But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.  The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’  Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.  But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’  So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’  And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.  Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant!  I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’  And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.”

Matthew 18:23-34

Possible discussion questions:

1. In what context did Jesus give this parable?
2. What are the entry requirements for the kingdom of heaven?
3. What is a debt?
4. What is our debt to God?
5. Why is forgiveness a condition for being forgiven?

LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.  Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’  So they went.  Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’  He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’  So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’  And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.  But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.  And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’  But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong.  Did you not agree with me for a denarius?  Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?  Or is your eye evil because I am good?’  So the last will be first, and the first last.  For many are called, but few chosen.”

Matthew 20:1-16

Possible discussion questions:

1.What might the hours represent?

2.When did each of the laborers respond and why?

3.Why were the last laborers still “idle”?

4. What is God’s hope for all His laborers?

5. Why were the first laborers upset?

6. When is this gospel read each year as a sermon? Why?

THE MARRIAGE FEAST

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.  Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.’”  But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.  But when the king heard about it, he was furious.  And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.  Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’  So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.  But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.  So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’  And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1-14

Possible discussion questions:

1. Do we discover here any new ideas about the kingdom of heaven?
2. What might the marriage represent? The various groups of guests? The feast?
3. What excuses did the guests have? Ourselves?
4. What might the wedding garment represent?
5. Why was the last guest thrown out?

THE GREAT SUPPER

Then He said to them, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’  But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it.  I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’  And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”

Luke 14:16-24

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Compare and contrast with the parable of the marriage feast – characters, action, moral?
2. Who might be the invited guests and why? The master? The servant?
3. What’s an “excuse”? Theirs? Ours?
4. What were the priorities for the invitees? Ours?
5. How might this also be considered a parable of the last judgment?

THE TEN VIRGINS

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.  Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Matthew 25:1-14

Possible discussion questions:

1. What is the context of this parable? Its importance?
2. Why is this parable read on the Sunday of the Last Judgment?
3. Why virgins?
4. What might the oil represent?
5. Why did the unprepared virgins run out to buy oil? What might this represent?
6. Why couldn’t the wise virgins share with the others?
7. How can we prepare for Christ’s coming wedding feast?

THE SERVANTS WAITING FOR THE LORD

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.  Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.  Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.  And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Luke 12:35-40

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. In historical context, what is the girding of the loins and the lamp burning? Today?
2. Who might the master be? The servants?
3. Who’s the thief? What’s his role?
4. When is the master coming? Why not tell the servants?
5. Why the feast?
6. Compare and contrast with the parable of the 10 virgins.

Possible discussion questions:

1. Why might this parable come right after the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew?
2. What was a Greek “talent”? What might the talents represent?
3. Why might some servants be given more than others? On whose responsibility?
4. Why did the first 2 servants invest the talents? Why did the third not?
5. Why is doing nothing unacceptable?

THE POUNDS

Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.  So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’  But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’  And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.  Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’  And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’  And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’  Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’  Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.  For I feared you, because you are an austere man.  You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’  And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant.  You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.  Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’  And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’  But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten  minas.’  For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.”

Matthew 19:11-27

Possible discussion questions:

1. Compare and contrast with the preceding parable.
2. What is the context of this parable in the life of Jesus? Where was the Lord in His ministry when He gave us this teaching?
3. What is the context of this parable in the history of the Church?
4. Who might the king represent and why? The servants?
5. How is a faithful servant different from an unfaithful?
6. What might be the meaning of the varying rewards?
7. What am I doing with the minas entrusted to me until He comes again?

THE BARREN FIG TREE

Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry.  And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.”  Immediately the fig tree withered away.  And when the disciples saw it,  they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”  So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tee, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Matthew 21:18-22

He spake also this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, ‘Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?’ And he answering said unto him, ‘Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.’”

                                                                                                                        Luke 13: 6-9

Possible discussion questions:

1. Compare and contrast the 2 parables: When does Jesus speak this parable? Why?
2. Who was Jesus speaking to? Of?
3. Who might the fruitless fig tree represent? Why?
4. What are the leaves? The fruit?
5. Who might the owner be? The gardener?
6. What is the purpose of prayer? Its result?
7. What is the purpose of intercession? Its result?
8. What are some other references to fruit in the Scriptures? Any correlation?

THE TWO SONS

“But what do you think?  A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’  He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.  Then he came to the second and said likewise.  And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.  Which of the two did the will of his father?”  They said to Him, “The first.”  Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.”

Matthew 21:28-31

Possible discussion questions:

1. What is the context of this parable? Who was Jesus speaking to and why? Result?
2. Who might the 2 sons represent, then and now?
3. What does being a Christian really entail?

THE VINEYARD

Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower.  And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.  And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.  Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.  Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.”  But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.”  So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.  Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers? They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

Matthew 21:33-41

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Who might the householder represent? The husbandmen? The vineyard? St. Cyril of Alexandria idenfies the vineyard as the house of Israel, with the husbandmen the Jewish people. 
2. Who might be the servants? Can you review any of the prophets from the Old Covenant?
3. Who is the son? What was the role of the son?
4. Who are the “other vinedressers”? St. Ephrem the Syrian identifies those as the Gentiles. Would that make the Jewish leaders listening to the parable happy?
5. Can we apply this parable to the Church today?
6. What might the fruit represent? Any parallels to the fig tree?

THE SHEEP

So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Luke 15:3-7

THE LOST COIN

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’  Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:8-10

Possible discussion questions:

1. What is the context of these parables?
2. What might the sheep represent? The shepherd? The 99?
3. Who might the woman represent? The coin?
4. What is alike about the 2 parables? Different?
5. In what way might we be like sheep? Coins?
6. Who’s doing the hunting, sweeping, finding and why?

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.  But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.  The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’  But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’  Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’  Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’  And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”

Luke 16:19-31

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is the context for this parable? Who is Jesus talking to? About? Why?
2. What’s the purpose of Moses and the Prophets?
3. What was the sin of the rich man? What is the purpose of wealth?
4. Why might the poor man have a name and the rich man none?
5. Can relief be expected after Judgment? Is that fair?
6. Who might be the brothers?

THE UNRIGHTEOUS STEWARD

He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.  So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you?  Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’  Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me.  I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’  So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’  And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’  So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’  Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’  So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’  And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’  So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly.  For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.  And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.  He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?  No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Luke 16:1-13

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Compare and contrast with the last parable.
2. What might the master have “heard” about the steward?
3. What must it feel like to be “fired”?
4. Why did the steward cancel part of the debt? Why did the master praise him?
5. To whom do any riches we have in this world really belong? St. Cyril of Alexandria put is this way: “Anyone may readily learn the meaning and view of the Savior's words from what follows. He said, “If you have not been faithful in what is another's, who will give you what is your own?” We again say that what is another's is the wealth we possess. We were not born with riches, but on the contrary, naked. We can truly affirm in the words of Scripture that “we neither brought anything into the world, nor can carry anything out.”
6. What is the purpose of wealth in this parable?
7. Is money evil?
8. What does the Lord want us to do with our own money? St. John Chrysostom makes this point in his reading of the parable: “What excuse will we have if we heedlessly lock our money behind doors and barricades, and we prefer to leave it lying idle? Instead, we should make it available to the needy now…”

THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’  And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”  Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.  And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.  Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:1-8

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is Jesus’s purpose for this parable and how is it fulfilled?
2. What was the judge like? The widow?
3. Why might the judge have delayed?
4. How did each feel during the delay in decision?
5. How is God’s response to prayer like/unlike that of the judge?
6. How is God’s judgment like/unlike that of the judge?

THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  Then the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:9-14

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. When is this parable read in liturgy and why?
2. Compare and contrast a publican and a Pharisee in Jewish society in Jesus’s day.
3. Compare and contrast the prayers of the two?
4. What “good deeds” did the Pharisee do? The publican?
5. Which was justified in the Lord’s sight and why?
6. What are some inherent dangers of being religious?

THE TWO DEBTORS

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”  And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”  So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 

“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”  And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”  Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Luke 7:36-50

Possible discussion questions:

1. What is the context of this parable? Why was Jesus invited to dinner?
2. How did Jesus know what Simon was thinking?
3. Who might be the 2 debtors? Which are we?
4. Compare and contrast with the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee?
5. Why did Jesus say, “Your sins are forgiven”?

THE PRODIGAL SON

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of good that falls to me.’  So he divided to them his livelihood.  And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.  But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.  Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.  But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.  Make me like one of your hired servants.”’  And he arose and came to his father.  But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’  And they began to be merry.  Now his older son was in the field.  And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’  But he was angry and would not go in.  Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.  So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I have never transgressed your commandment at any time;  and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.  But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’  And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

Luke 15:11-32

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. When is this parable read in liturgy and why?
2. Who might the son represent? The father? The elder brother?
3. Does the son owe his father anything? Do we owe God?
4. What is a “far country”? Why go so far away?
5. How is the “citizen of the country” like his father? Different?
6. Why must the son take the first step and “arise”?
7. What reasons did the father have to be happy? Angry?
8. Why was the older son angry? Did he have a right to be? Why or why not?
9. Compare and contrast with the parable of the laborers in the vineyard.

THE LAST JUDGMENT

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”  Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.” Then they also will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?” Then He will answer them, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Matthew 25:31-46

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. In which other parables does the Lord discuss the judgment? Compare and contrast.
2. Consider the similarities and differences between sheep and goats (as animals): any correlation?
3. What is the context of this parable? Importance of Jesus’s impending death and resurrection?
4. Why the use of the word “inherit” the kingdom of heaven, and not receive?
5. Why was Jesus “disguised”?
6. What ways do we learn here to keep our lamps filled with oil like the wise virgins?

THE RICH FOOL

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool!  This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:16-21

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What was the context of this parable? How would Jesus have felt with this question?
2. What was the attitude of the rich man towards wealth? What should it have been?
3. Is wealth evil?
4. What is greed?
5. What is the purpose of life?
6. What does it mean to be rich toward God?

THE TOWER BUILDER AND THE KING WHO WENT TO WAR

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it — lest after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.” 

Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 

Luke 14:28-32

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is the context of Jesus speaking these parables?
2. Who might be the tower builder? What might be the tower? Why was it ridiculous?
3. What might be the war? Who the king?
4. What is the cost of true discipleship? Of half-discipleship?

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’  So which of these three do think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:30-37

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is the context of this parable? Why was the question asked? How was it answered?
2. Why did Jesus include priest, Levite, and Samaritan?
3. What reasons might the first two have given for passing by?
4. What reasons might we give for passing by?
5. Who really is our neighbor?

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”  Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.  Then Jesus spoke to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

John 10:1-9

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Who might the shepherd be? The sheep? The strangers? The thieves and robbers?
2. What is the connection between this parable and the prophecies in Ezekiel 34 and Jeremiah 23?
3. Why are there pretend shepherds? How do they work?
4. What protects the sheep? More than one thing?
5. How can Jesus be called the Good Shepherd?

THE WEDDING AT CANA

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

John 2:1-11

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What might be the “hour” of Jesus?
2. Why might Jesus have referred to His mother as “woman”?
3. Why might the Lord have chosen this as His first miracle?
4. Is there any significance to the wine? The waterpots?
5. What was the role of the servants? Its importance?

THE NOBLEMAN’S SON

            So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

John 4:46-54

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is the context of this parable? Why was Jesus in Cana?
2. Is it wrong to believe because of signs and wonders?
3. Why did the nobleman come to Jesus?
4. Why might he have questioned his servants as to the time of the healing?

THE PARALYTIC

            After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him, “Who  is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews it was Jesus who had made him well.

John 5:1-15

 Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why might the man not want to be well?
2. Why was the man still there after 38 years?
3. How should the Sabbath be observed?
4. What might be the importance of the pool of water?
5. Does this miracle illustrate any contrast between the Old and the New Covenants?
6. Why did the man go and tell the Jews?

THE FEEDING OF THE 5000

            After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

John 6:1-14

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What might be the significance of the timing of this miracle at Passover?
2. What reasons might the multitude have had for following Jesus into the wilderness? Was it worth it? Would you?
3. Why might Jesus have asked Philip of all the disciples? What does Philip’s answer reveal about his mindset?
4. Why does Andrew speak up?
5. What do you suppose the “lad” was thinking? What were his options?
6. What might have happened if the lad had kept his food? If the men had not sat down? If the disciples had refused to hand out the meal?
7. Any significance to the meal consisting of loaves and fish? Why do we have 5 loaves for the Eucharist?
8. Why would only men be counted?
9. Any significance in the leftovers filling exactly 12 baskets?
10. Why did this particular sign lead the men to proclaim Jesus the Messiah?

THE BLIND MAN

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?” Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” He said, “I am he.” Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He answered and said, “A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered them and said, “We know that this our son and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.” He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?” Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.                        John 9:1-38

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What did the disciples, with their world view, think caused the man's blindness? Why might there be illness or disability in the world?
2. This blind man was likely born with no eyes. Any importance to the use of dirt and water in this miracle? Any connection to the creation of Adam?
3. Any significance in the Pool of Siloam meaning “Sent”? The importance of water in the gospels? Baptism?
4. How does this miracle illustrate Jesus as the “light of the world”? the power of Jesus as God?
5. How does the man healed develop in his knowledge of Jesus? How is he rewarded in this world for his newfound knowledge?
6. What was the reaction of the Pharisees to the healing? What decision do we each need to make when challenged by Jesus? 

CENTURIAN’S SERVANT

            Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel. And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Matthew 8:5-13

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be “under authority”? Are we under authority?
2. Why would the centurion not feel worthy for Jesus to enter his home? Should we?
3. Why would a centurion care that much about a servant?
4. How did the centurion display his faith?

THE DEMONIACS

             When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.

Matthew 8:28-9:1

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Are there demons? What are they? Is there a devil? What is he? Where did Jesus first face the devil during His earthly ministry?
2. What is demon possession? Is there demon possession today? Would we recognize it?
3. What might make a person be more vulnerable to possession of demons? Consider what might weaken our spiritual nature – drugs, alcohol, magic, fortune-telling, seances??? What else might open a person up to demon possession?
4. How must the possessed men felt? How were they treated by society?
5. Any significance to their living in the tombs?
6. Unlike most miracles, where the person or people are asking Jesus for His help, who speaks to Jesus here? To whom does Jesus address His commands?
7. What is the final goal of the demons? Of Jesus?
8. Is the devil strong? Why is it important to know this? Do we need to fear the devil? Who defeated the devil? How?
9. Is there neutral ground in this battle? Where do we stand? Do we even take a stand?
10. How do the demons know Jesus? Who do they recognize Jesus to be?
11. Why did Jesus allow the demons to go into the swine? Why swine?
12. Why might the people of the town have wanted Jesus to leave?
13. Why does the Church feel this miracle is so important that this gospel is read at least twice every year?

THE PARALYTIC WITH THE FOUR FRIENDS

            And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Mark 2: 1-12

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Was it OK to tear up the roof? Why or why not?
2. How did the 4 men reveal their faith? The paralytic?
3. Is illness caused by sin? Why or why not? When or when not?
4. Why did Jesus first say, “your sins are forgiven you” before “arise”?
5. Why did Jesus say both anyway?
6. Why were the scribes upset?

JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA

            Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”                                                                         

Matthew 14: 22-33

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why can’t the sea usually be walked on? Why could Jesus walk on it?
2. When did this miracle occur? Did Jesus “set the disciples up”?
3. Why did Jesus let the disciples be tossed around most of the night?
4. Why did the disciples not recognize Jesus?
5. Why did Peter sink?

THE CALMING OF THE TEMPEST

            On The same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”                                                                                                        

Mark 4: 35-41

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why, when Jesus seemed to usually pray all night, was He asleep?
2. Why did He rebuke the wind first, then the sea?
3. Why did the disciples complain?
4. What kind of storms might we face? What kinds of complaints do we give?
5. Are there other instances in Scripture of God controlling the sea? Compare and contrast.

THE EPILEPTIC SON

            And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

Matthew 17: 14-23

Possible Discussion Questions:

1.      Why did Jesus treat this as a case of demon possession and not illness?

2.      Why couldn’t the disciples heal the boy?

3.      Does this “mustard seed” have any correlation with the parable of the mustard seed?

4.      Who are the “faithless and perverse generation”? The Jewish people? The disciples? The boy’s father? We ourselves?

5.      Did the father need the help of the Lord to grow in faith? Do we?

6.      How do we make use of the power and faith the Lord has given us?

7.      Why can’t prayer and fasting be separated? Is either optional? Why or why not?

THE WOMAN OF CANAAN

            Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 15: 21-28

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What was the importance of the woman being from Canaan?
2. Why did Jesus “happen” to be in the region of Tyre and Sidon?
3. Why didn’t Jesus answer her at first?
4. Why were the disciples upset?
5. Was Jesus’s response rude? Why did He respond in such a way?
6. Why didn’t the woman give up? What reasons might she have had to give up and go home? Do we “give up” when praying? What reasons might we have to just quit?
7. Any correlation with the parable of the importunate widow?
8. Was the mission of Jesus, and in the end the apostles, only for the Jewish nation?

THE SON OF THE WIDOW OF NAIN

            Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain, and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”

Luke 7:11-16

Possible Discussion Questions:

1.Is it OK with Jesus if we weep over the death of a loved one?

2.What might be the significance of Jesus touching the coffin?

3.Why did Jesus raise this particular young man (after all, people die every day)?

4.How can we tell this miracle was not a hoax?

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS

            Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”  Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.                                                                                                                                                                                                    John 11: 1-45

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why did Jesus delay in going to Lazarus after He know about the illness?
2. Why do the disciples offer excuses not to go? What excuses could they come up with?
3. Does Thomas’s statement show his faith, or his lack thereof? Why or why not?
4. Did Martha have faith? Mary?
5. Why did Jesus groan? Why did He weep?

THE CATCH OF FISH

            So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennasaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, he sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Luke 5:1-11

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why did Peter let down his nets?
2. In what way was this a miracle?
3. If this were a parable, what might be the “deep”? The fish?
4. Why wasn’t Peter overjoyed at his economic windfall?
5. How are “fishers of men” like fishermen? Unlike?
6. What did the fishermen give up when they “forsook all”? What must we give up?

THE RAISING OF THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS

            And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with Him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. But her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Luke 8: 41-56

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is the significance of the father being a ruler of the synagogue?
2. What is the difference between the woman’s touch and that of the crowd?
3. Why did the woman “sneak up” on Jesus and touch His garment in secret?
4. Why did Jesus only allow a select few to witness this miracle? Why these five?
5. Why was the girl given something to eat?

THE WOMAN WITH A SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY

            Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound – think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

Luke 13: 10-17

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Any significance in this miracle occurring right after the parable of the barren fig tree?
2. Why did Jesus heal this woman, who never asked for healing?
3. Why is it important that the miracle occurred in a synagogue?
4. What is appropriate in observing the Sabbath?
5. What’s a hypocrite? In what way were the Jewish leaders hypocrites? In what way are we?

THE TEN LEPERS

            Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:12-19

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is leprosy? Why is it so terrible?
2. In what way might we be “spiritual lepers”?
3. Why did the lepers go and show themselves to the priest? What might have happened if they didn’t?
4. What is the significance of the one leper being a Samaritan? Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan. Any correlation?
5. Why might the nine not have returned?

THE BLIND MAN

            Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet, but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Luke 18:35-43

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why may the blind man have called Jesus “Son of David”? 
2. What was the importance of Jesus being the Son of David to the Jewish people? In the prophecies of the Messiah? In Jesus being fully man as well as fully God?
3. Who are “those who went before” and why did they want the man to be quiet?
4. How would you answer Jesus’s question of the blind man?

THE POSSESSED MAN

            Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.

Mark 1: 23-26

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why is the spirit called unclean?
2. Why did Jesus want the demon kept quiet?
3. How did the demon know who Jesus was?

PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW

            Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

Mark 1:29-31

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Why might Jesus have taken her hand instead of just saying, “You are healed.”?
2. Do we have any obligation after healing?

THE CLEANSING OF A LEPER

            Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.                                                         Mark 1: 40-45

Possible Discussion Questions:

What is the significance of Jesus’s touching a leper? As compared to the mother-in-law?

What is the difference between “can” and “will”?

Why did the leper show himself to the priest?

Why reasons might the man have had to proclaim Jesus’s healing to the public?

Compare and contrast with the miracle of the ten lepers.