DAILY DISCIPLINE #8
By Colleen Donahue

"Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: 'I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.' "
Matthew 13:34-35

Story telling is an ancient art. From early centuries the Chinese and other cultures used stories as a creative and simple method for relating important truths and information. These were stories about everyday life that anyone (however simple) could understand and retell. Thus with uncomplicated simplicity generations have heard and retold life's truths.

When Jesus began teaching and preaching at age 30 He used this same age-old technique. In fact the Bible says, "He did not say anything to them without using a parable." Our wise teacher knew that life changing truths from His Father could best be told using simple stories.

Most of us have grown up hearing these short parables (some only two verses long!) in Sunday school. Perhaps few of us, however, have taken time to glean the specific truth from each story and learn to retell it so they can be passed on to family and friends. This month I challenge you to look carefully at those old Bible stories called.......

THE PARABLES

Day 1- Matthew-13:3-8/ 18-23 "The Sower"
What is the ground of your heart like for receiving truth?

Day 2- Matthew 13:24-30 / Matthew 13:36-43 "The Tares"
Will God's children be able to grow up in an environment without evil men and influences?

Day 3- Matthew 13:31-32 "The Mustard Seed"
Can God use, what seems to us, very little faith to do great works for Him?

Day 4- Matthew 13:33 "The Leaven"
How can God's Church be corrupted?

Day 5- Matthew 13:44 "The Hidden Treasure"
Is God worth giving everything we've got?

Day 6- Matthew 13:45-46 "The Pearl of Great Price"
Is finding truth worth everything to you?

Day 7- Matthew 13:47-50 "The Drag Net"
Will all men have the same destiny?

Day 8- Matthew 18:23-35 "The Unmerciful Servant"
What is God's promise to us if we do not forgive a man for the wrong he has done us?

Day 9- Matthew 20:1-16 "Laborers in the Vineyard"
When God deals justly with men will it necessarily be "fair" in man's eyes?

Day 10- Matthew 21:28-32 "The Two Sons"
Is it possible that the despised class of "sinners" will be saved before the religious and self-righteous people?

Day 11- Matthew 21:33-46 "The Wicked Landowner"
What will happen at the end of life when a man has rejected all of God's servants including His Son Jesus?

Day 12- Matthew 22:1-14 "Marriage of the King's Son"
What happened to our benefit when the Jews rejected God's invitation to honor His Son Jesus?

Day 13- Matthew 25:1-13 "The Ten Virgins"
Death can strike us at any moment and Jesus come to take us. Why should we be watchful and ready?

Day 14- Matthew 25:14-30 "The Talents"
What is the result of not being diligent and faithful with the things God entrusts us with?

Day 15- Mark 4:26-29 "The Seed Growing Secretly"
How does God's Word grow in a man's heart?

Day 16- Luke 7:41-43 "The Two Debtors"
What kind of man will tend to love God the most?

Day 17- Luke 10:25-37 "The Good Samaritan"
Who is our neighbor?

Day18- Luke 11: 5-8 "The Friend at Midnight"
Is it right to be persistent in asking God for things?

Day 19- Luke 12:16-21 "The Rich Fool"
Are material possessions worth anything without God?

Day 20- Luke 13:6-9 "The Barren Fig Tree"
What happens with our lives when we do not "bear fruit" for Jesus?

Day 21- Luke 14:16-24 "The Great Supper"
How do we show our lack of appreciation for God and even hatred of Him?

Day 22- Luke 15:3-7 "The Lost Sheep"
When is God's joy the greatest?

Day 23- Luke 15:8-10 "The Lost Piece of Money"
When does a sinner bring joy to God?

Day 24- Luke 15:11-32 "The Prodigal Son"
What is the difference between God's concern over a lost soul and that of the Pharisees?

Day 25- Luke 16:1-9 "The Unjust Steward"
How does God respond to a man that is faithful in the little duties he is entrusted with?

Day 26- Luke 16:19-31 "The Rich Man and Lazarus"
What is the folly of a happy life on earth without God?

Day 27- Luke 17-7-10 "The Unprofitable Servants"
How are we to serve God?

Day 28- Luke 18:1-8 "The Unjust Judge"
Should you keep praying when your prayers are not answered immediately?

Day 29- Luke 18: 9-14 "The Pharisee and the Publican"
What does God think of prideful, self-righteous people?

Day 30- Luke 19:12-27 "The Pounds"
How are we to operate with the things God entrusts us with?