Day 1- THE PARABLE OF WHEAT/ TARES
Read Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Who sowed the wheat? Who sowed the tares?
Why does the man not want the tares to be pulled out until the right time?
A tare is a weed that looks just like a piece of wheat as it’s growing. About the time the tare is full grown, sometimes right before harvest, it looks different than the wheat. Jesus is teaching a few lessons about His kingdom in this parable.
Lesson #1 God sows truth, the enemy sows evil.
Lesson #2 God is patiently waiting for people to come to know Him.
Lesson #3 Only God is the judge of good and evil. Man is not good at telling the difference.
Day 2- THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Read Luke 10:25-42
What did the priest do when he passed by the man in need?
What did the Levite do when he passed by the man in need?
What are reasons we sometimes pass by someone in need?
What did the Samaritan do when He passed by the man in need?
How did the Samaritan go above and beyond for the man in need?
Which one loved his neighbor as he loved himself?
What can you learn from the Samaritan?
How can you do good to others in need instead of passing right by?
DID YOU KNOW
The priest and the Levite were two Jewish men whose job was to serve in the Temple. They should have known better and stopped to help. A Samaritan was a person who was half Jewish and half Assyrian. The Jews did not like them. The Samaritan was helping someone who probably would not have helped him back.
Day 3- THE HOARDER
Read Luke 12: 15-21
What did the rich man do? Who do you think gave him all that he had? What did he do to give back to the Lord? Do you get to take your treasures on earth with you when you die?
Read Matthew 6: 19-21
What should you store up for yourselves?
What do you think are treasures in heaven? (hint: things that last forever?)
If you are investing in heavenly treasures, how should you spend your time?
Having things on earth is not a bad thing. If God has given you something, He wants you to do something with it… not hoard it. The Word of the Lord and the souls of men last forever. God wants you to use your time, skills, gifts and money to give to others and spread the message of the gospel.
Day 4- PRODIGAL SON
Read Luke 15:11-32
What does the son do to his father? What does the father do for his son?
When the son returns, what does the father do?
What does this story teach you about God’s forgiveness? Are you thankful God forgives?
Day 5- CONSIDER, THINK, PRAY
Flip back through what Jesus taught about His kingdom through parables. Write down what you learned. How will what you learned affect how you live your life?
