INTRODUCTION

The LORD JESUS CHRIST taught in several ways to drive home HIS point. One of the commonest ways through which HE passed HIS message across to HIS hearers was through ‘parables’. A parable is an earthly everyday story with a heavenly meaning. Parables can be defined as a similitude or likeness used to teach or enforce a truth. A parable compares something familiar with something unfamiliar.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. The Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13: 24-30)
The parables embedded in these verses present a vivid illustration of the fact that the kingdom of heaven includes those who give only lip service to the King as well as those who are HIS genuine disciples. The first three soils typify the kingdom in its widest circle-that is: outward profession. The fourth represents the kingdom represents a smaller circle (this group represents those who have been truly converted).

DISCUSSION TIME

1. What can we learn from the parable of the wheat and tares? Are we discerning enough to know when the enemy steps in to distract, derail or destroy us?

B. The Parable of the Mustard Seed & the Parable of the Yeast (Matthew 13: 31-33)
The Saviour likens the kingdom to a mustard seed, which HE called the smallest of seeds. The seed represents the humble beginning of the kingdom. The Lord forewarned the disciples that during His absence, the kingdom of God would experience a phenomenal growth. They should not be deceived nor equate growth with success. The tiny seed would grow and expand into something really big. But unfortunately, it could become a dwelling place for demons Again the Lord compared the kingdom to leaven which a woman hid in three measures of meal. Eventually all the meal became leavened. Leaven is always a type of evil in the Bible. In this parable, the Lord warns against the permeating power of evil working in the kingdom of heaven. In this parable the meal represents the food of God’s people as it is found in the Bible. The leaven is evil doctrine.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Describe the different ways Christians can influence their communities for the sake of spreading the gospel message to unbelievers?

Points to Note from the Lesson
* God reigns over all things.
* There are blessings that flow from living under Christ’s rule.

Memory Verse:

Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"(NIV). (Matthew 13:30).