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The Lord Often Taught with Parables

Matthew 13:24-48

In your own words, explain the definition of a parable.

• A parable to me is a type of analogy or comparison. The stories that are told are not meant to be literal, they are meant to teach a moral. Parables are understood by those who have faith and a religious intelligence. But to those of "the dull and uninspired it is a mere story" (Bible Dictionary).

Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matt. 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matt. 13:47-50); parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:44-46); parable of the gospel net (Matt. 13:47-50). Next to each of the following questions write the name of the parable that best answers that question.

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  What describes the future growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? -Parable of the gospel net



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  Why does the Church send out so many missionaries? -Parable of the gospel net



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  How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and smarted small in the American frontier? -Parable of the gospel net



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  Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership of the church? - Parable of the treasure and the pearl of great price



• Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church? -Parable of the tares

Write answers to the following questions:

• Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price, what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?

I honestly think that I would sacrifice a lot of my possessions in order to obtain the treasure of the gospel. My whole life revolves around the gospel, and without it I would have nothing. People sacrifice every day for the gospel, especially those who decide to go on a mission. Missionaries sacrifice two years of their lives for the gospel, and I have so much respect for that.

• What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away?

The net represents the kingdom of heaven, and to be gathered into the net means to be make it back to Heavenly Father's presence. I think that the gathering of the good into vessels means that Heavenly Father only allows those who have been obedient here on earth to enter the Celestial Kingdom, but those who have not been obedient he has to reluctantly turn them away.