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Unlocking the Parables of Jesus

  1. Lesson One
    Keys to Interpreting the Parables
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Exploring the Simpler 3-Point Parables
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Exploring the More Complex 3-Point Parables
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    Exploring 2- and 1-Point Parables
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    Exploring the Parables: Themes and Conclusions
    3 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Lesson Overview

“There was a man who had two sons…” “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers.” “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls…”

Jesus was a master storyteller. His stories capture our attention and cause us to ponder their meaning. In this first of five lessons Professor of New Testament, Dr. Craig Blomberg, walks us through four different approaches to understanding the parables of Jesus.

Lesson Objectives

When you complete this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Explain the four different approaches to understanding Jesus’ parables.
  • Discuss problems with early approaches to interpreting the parables.
  • Identify the different structures found in the parables.
  • Explain why, when interpreting the parables, you must take care not to “sacrifice meaning for the sake of a simple point.”

Personal Reflection

As you proceed through this lesson have the following question in mind.
Is there just one meaning to a parable? And if so, why would Jesus have included such rich detail in these stories?