Lesson 1 - The Fishers of Men Ministries

lesson 16PARABLES ON RESPONSIBILITYLk 12:13-21, 41-48, 19:11-27I. Background to the Parables1. Contexta. In Luke 12, Jesus had been in a debate with the Pharisees and Jewish lawyers.b. He first addresses his disciples, :1, then answers a member of the large crowd,:13.c. This large mixed audience was the setting for his strict parables onresponsibility.d. In Luke 19, salvation was confused with the immediate coming of the kingdomof God, :11, so Jesus took the opportunity to address lifelong responsibility.2. Definitions/Cultural Insightsa. Soul: life which is given by God, 12:19.b. Servant: slave who is also a possession within the household, 12:43.c. Mina: equivalent to about 100 dollars or 4,000 rupees.II. Understanding the Parables1. The Parable of the Rich Fool, Lk 12:13-21.a. A man wanted Jesus to help him receive a portion of his father’s property(inheritance). Jesus’ response was hard, he would not help and that the manwas greedy after possessions, and not after quality of life, 12:13-15.b. The rich fool only wanted to store the crops for himself, rather than be richtoward God, 12:16-18.c. God demanded his soul from him that very night, saying that his goods wouldnot be stored up for his own use, 12:19-20.2. The Parable of the Unwise Servants, 12:41-48.a. This parable was spoken by Jesus to emphasize the previous lesson aboutwatchfulness, 12:41.b. A faithful, wise slave is one the Master finds doing his duty, 12:42-44.c. The unfaithful and unwise slave is partying and feasting since he thinks theMaster will not return, today. The Master will kill this slave when he returnsunexpectedly, :45-46.