The Barren Fig Tree and the Two Sons

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?