Choice 2: Matthew 13: 24-48. The Lord Often Taught with
Parables
1. In the Bible
Dictionary read the first three paragraphs under the entry “Parables” (pgs.
740-41). In your own words, write a definition of a parable.
2. Read the following
parables: parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed
and the leaven (Matthew 13:47-50); parables of the treasure and the pearl of
great price (Matthew 13:44-46); parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50).
Next to each of the following questions write the name of the parable that best
answers that question.
o
What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints?
o
Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?
o
How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is
fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American
frontier?
o
Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth
and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?
o
Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?
3. Write answers to the
following questions:
o
Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see
Matthew 13:44-46), what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the
treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made
for the gospel?
o
What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See
Matthew 13:47). What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is
represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the
bad away? (See Matthew 13:48-50).
A parable is a story that invokes deeper thought and has a special meaning to those who truly understand.
o What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
The parable that describes the growth of the church is the story of the net. As we send out missionaries they are teaching more and more people the gospel.
o Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?
The parable that relates to this one is the parable of the tares. The tares represent the temptations of the world and the problems we have. The missionaries are going out to fight against the devil's temptations.
o How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier?
The mustard seed is like the church. It started small but grew into something great and far reaching.
o Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?
The parable that fits this is the parable of treasures and the pearl of great price. They are willing to give up so much because they know the final rewards.
o Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?
This is again the parable of the pearl of great price. They are unwilling to
give up the things of the world.
As a member of the church I am willing to give up a lot of things for this gospel. I am working on being willing to give up everything. I think missionaries are a prime example. They are willing to sacrifice two years of their lives to serve others and further the gospel. What a great sacrifice!
Finally, the net represents missionaries and the people gathered are the people who hear or except the gospel. The separation represents the final judgment.
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