Parables, Women, & Gifts: Week One Follow-Up
For the month of May, students have chosen between three separate series options for YBF: Parables of Jesus, Women in Scripture, and Spiritual Gifts. See below for a quick look at week one lessons from each series.
Parables of Jesus: The Sower
We typically think of parables as stories, images, or metaphors that help illumine spiritual truths. Interestingly, Jesus seems to say that he tells parables so that people with hard hearts would not understand (Matt. 13:10-15; Mk. 4:10-12; Lk. 8:9-10). So...that's weird, huh? This explanation comes in the midst of parable and later explanation of a man sowing some seeds in all sorts of places and the results of their growth (Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23; Mk. 4:1-9,13-20; Lk. 8:1-8,11-15). A few observations come up: (1) This sower doesn't seem to know what he's doing - why not just sow it all in the good soil!? (2) the seed being sown signifies a word being spoken, and (3) the growth of the seed is dependent upon how it is received.
Jesus uses this confusing image to communicate a message about how God works that forces us to either think deeply or settle for simple answers and move on. The message will be proclaimed, even for those unwilling or unable to hear it. God wastes time and energy giving opportunities for the hard of heart to hear, and Jesus asks us to do the same. Will we receive the message? Will we partner with Jesus is "wasting time" sharing it with others?
Questions for discussion:
- What does this parable speak to you?
- Why doesn't Jesus just speak plainly and say what he means?
- How might the Church look different if we taught like Jesus does?
Women in Scripture: Mary & Martha
This week, our group studied the account of Martha and Mary in Luke's Gospel (Luke 10:38-42). The students and leaders (including guest co-leader Laura Kollar, a faithful PSB member!) spent time making a list comparing and contrasting characteristics of Mary and Martha, especially related to each one's ministering to Jesus. Sometimes when we read familiar stories like this one, we miss out on other "surprises." Do you remember what was surprising about Martha and Mary? (Martha is a home owner and invites Jesus into her house (v. 38) -- not a social norm at the time! Mary sits at Jesus' feet and receives his teaching -- the attitude of a disciple, usually a man's role.) Though this passage doesn't tell us much about Martha and Mary's relationship with one another as sisters, it's fun to imagine what theirs might have been like. One of us mentioned that perhaps Martha was doing what she did so that her sister could sit at Jesus' feet -- a cool perspective to think about!
Questions for discussion:
- How can we learn from Martha and Mary? Considering our own personalities, is it harder for us to serve ("do") or "be" with Jesus?
- Can you think of some people in your life who serve so that you can sit under Jesus' teaching and rest? How can we love those people around us who serve us every day?
Spiritual Gifts: An Overview
Paul has a good deal to say about the "grace gifts" (charismata) of the Spirit, but a few important things are apparent: (1) they are not earned but received, (2) they are various and no one individual has all gifts, and (3) they are for the unity and encouragement of the mission of the church (1 Cor. 12:1-11; Rom. 12:1-8; Eph. 4:1-13). Paul urges believers to understand and be aware of the gifts the Spirit gives so that we will not be carried away by sensationalism. We could go wrong in two ways: being too interested in any particular gift OR cutting off certain gifts because we don't understand them.
Questions for discussion:
- Why are spiritual gifts important for the life and ministry of the Church?
- Can you identify any gifts that seem to be evident in your life?
- What gifts in Paul's lists are strange or unfamiliar to you? Why might they be important and useful for the Church?