Wrap-Up

So, now that we’ve seen how Jesus used parables, do you have some ideas of when it might be useful to teach with analogies today? Is it ever a good idea to conceal the truth—or postpone it—rather than to make it simple and clear? There was a lot going on when Jesus taught. He really made you do some mental work to understand what He was saying. And even then you might not fully “get it.” But it wasn’t just mental work. He found his way to grab hearts and convict people.

In the next lesson, you’ll be challenged to continue investigating the parables in their cultural context so that their impact can be fully realized. And you may be able to create your own “contemporized” parables to share with people who may need the same message.