Teaching and Preaching Parable Today

[ITS]

To what extent should we teach or preach with parables today? How can we develop this skill?

[chewy_tlee]

I believe that parables should be taught a lot more frequently than I have personally been exposed to in my experience in the church. I believe we can develop this skill be examining how the situation and characters could be translated into the circumstances of our own contemporary culture and experiences. To better develop this skill I think we need to look more deeply at the historical background behind parabolic characters and circumstances. I think stories are so powerful in capturing hearts and minds to better understand and take in important principles being taught.

[kwleafs]

One of the hallmarks of communication in a postmodern culture is the ability of people to learn and retain information through storytelling. Many postmodern's crave this type of learning environment. As we examine the parables, however, we learn this style is not unique to our time but transcends back to Jesus' time and even into the Old Testament (cf., 2 Sam 12, Nathan and David).

Someone once told me that when we preach we must communicate Biblical truth, not tell stories. I would disagree with him in part. It is true that we must communicate the absolute truth of God's word but parabolic teaching is a valuable tool that we would be wise to embrace.

This skill is best developed by studying how Jesus communicated through parables and realizing that it involved more than just telling a story - it was connected in a relevant way to the truth he was teaching. Perhaps the easiest way to develop this skill is to stay in touch with our times and our culture and be aware of the issues and stories that are grabbing the attention of our people. After all, we are in the world, but not of the world.

Blessings.

[kwleafs]

chewy_tlee,

I have had similar encounters in my experience - parables have not frequently been taught. I must admit also that in my pastoral experience I have not ventured too far into the gospels in a preaching or teaching setting. It can be very difficult to dig out the meaning and transfer a 2000 year old truth from Jewish culture to our day today.

You also raise a great point about exploring the historical background behind the characters and circumstances. While that is usually "hard sledding" it is well worth the effort when you're done because it adds so much more significance to the truth you're communicating.

Blessings.

PS - I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this reply ... if not, sorry!

[rnollet]

Jesus proved that parables are an extremely effective tool in preaching. Evangelist Ray Comfort insists in their effectiveness and uses parables and illustrations often as a teaching tool. Like Jesus, when we share the Gospel message with someone, we can be more effective by adapting the message to a setting to which the hearer will easily relate. This skill can be developed like any other skill- practice. We can work with a small group on teaching parables which will be effective in our local area and practice with one another before sharing them with our audience.

[rnollet]

In response to chewy_tlee, I agree with the suggestion to teach the actual parables and also to preach using our own parables, or Jesus' parables with modern settings. It is said that one of the most effective means of preaching is to share our own testimony, which is in itself an illustration. Our own testimony may be adaptable to a parable form. We should recognize our spiritual gifts given to us by God and put the effort forth to use them in reaching others with the Gospel. Jesus' parables, without a full understanding of the original setting, lose some of their meaning and impact.

[dubbs]

To what extent should we teach or preach with parables today? How can we develop this skill?

I believe that Jesus parables should be taught in a normal flow as one preaches his way through the gospels. The parables were powerful illustrations which Jesus used to prove points in the context in which they were written.

I believe the best way to interpret the parables is the way Craig Blomberg outlines in his book. That is, one point per character of group of characters. This provides a nice way to teach the parables.

[dubbs]

I believe that parables should be taught a lot more frequently than I have personally been exposed to in my experience in the church. I believe we can develop this skill be examining how the situation and characters could be translated into the circumstances of our own contemporary culture and experiences. To better develop this skill I think we need to look more deeply at the historical background behind parabolic characters and circumstances. I think stories are so powerful in capturing hearts and minds to better understand and take in important principles being taught.

I totally agree with this posting. The parables have much to teach when studied and presented in the proper way. By God's grace, I have been in churches that have taught the parables as they come up in the life in ministry of Christ.

Christ used his master story telling ability on many occasions to illustrate His points. We need not fear to use the parables as Christ did. I also like the idea of giving the parables a modern flair using caution not to go to far in our attempt.

[Craig]

What do you see as a middle ground between Augustine?s allegorizing and Julicher?s One main Point hermeneutic

It?s quite clear that this subject will always be an issue of contention since scholars differ on whether everything should be allegorized or contain one main point. I view parables personally as having more than one point. But when I say more than one point, I am not looking at each thing in a parable as having a dual meaning. I believe there are times when something such as the prodigal son might be symbolic of us as sinners, but I rely on the Holy Spirit to share with me that which he wants me to articulate it as depending on the message. Thus, I believe the middle ground for everyone would be to allow God?s spirit to speak to you about what things symbolize.

[Craig]

Based up passages such as Matthew 13/Mark 4 ( and the fact that John has virtually no parables), et al., how would you summarize the purpose of parables in the ministry of Jesus?

The purpose of Parables in the ministry of Jesus was three-fold:
1. They were design to at times conceal biblical truths, he intended his disciples to understand only in his private time of instruction with them.
2. They were designed to convict the religious leaders who had some idea at times when was talking about them and some times they totally missed his main point.
3. They were designed to convey heavenly messages using current situation to help the average person understand his biblical message. I also believe they were at times designed to conceal the truth from lay people for purposes of generating a hunger to know more about him and the kingdom.

[Craig]

To what extent should we teach or preach with parables today? How can we develop this skill?

I believe that Jesus parables should be taught in a normal flow as one preaches his way through the gospels. The parables were powerful illustrations which Jesus used to prove points in the context in which they were written.

I believe the best way to interpret the parables is the way Craig Blomberg outlines in his book. That is, one point per character of group of characters. This provides a nice way to teach the parables.

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While I too agree with Blomberg theory to some degree about the number of points per parable, I don't want to leave out the Spirit factor as God speaks about his word. As stated in another comment, I agree there has been points made for literally everything, but there should be some flexibiltiy to let God speak about what he wants his servant to articulate about parables within boundaries of course. What this means of course is that one must research the parable, the customs and times; all that stuff to be able to fully articulate the parables.

[Craig]

In response to chewy_tlee, I agree with the suggestion to teach the actual parables and also to preach using our own parables, or Jesus' parables with modern settings. It is said that one of the most effective means of preaching is to share our own testimony, which is in itself an illustration. Our own testimony may be adaptable to a parable form. We should recognize our spiritual gifts given to us by God and put the effort forth to use them in reaching others with the Gospel. Jesus' parables, without a full understanding of the original setting, lose some of their meaning and impact.

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Our job however, as teachers and clergy is to prayerfully search and study the scriptures for clarity about God's word. Too often we hinder God's ability to speak to us about what Jesus intended for the parables. Fasting, praying, studying (research) will open the scriptures up so that we can teach them effectively. Care needs to be taken when trying to create our own parables. I am not saying you can not take a parable and contemporize it. I use the prodigal son and I talk about a young man going to the club drinking beer etc. God's word only loses it power when we fail to be governed by his Spirit in our understanding of it.

[Craig]

Jesus proved that parables are an extremely effective tool in preaching. Evangelist Ray Comfort insists in their effectiveness and uses parables and illustrations often as a teaching tool. Like Jesus, when we share the Gospel message with someone, we can be more effective by adapting the message to a setting to which the hearer will easily relate. This skill can be developed like any other skill- practice. We can work with a small group on teaching parables which will be effective in our local area and practice with one another before sharing them with our audience.
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I agree that part of our job as proclaimers of the gospel message is to teach and preach them (the parables) in such a way that even a child could understand them. That however takes practice, prayer and persistence. As we are taking this class on the parables, I plan to at some time, begin teaching the parable in a bible study class. When they are taught, people who hear you preach about them should be able to follow your message with out hessitation and say amen

[Craig]

Jesus proved that parables are an extremely effective tool in preaching. Evangelist Ray Comfort insists in their effectiveness and uses parables and illustrations often as a teaching tool. Like Jesus, when we share the Gospel message with someone, we can be more effective by adapting the message to a setting to which the hearer will easily relate. This skill can be developed like any other skill- practice. We can work with a small group on teaching parables which will be effective in our local area and practice with one another before sharing them with our audience.
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I agree that part of our job as proclaimers of the gospel message is to teach and preach them (the parables) in such a way that even a child could understand them. That however takes practice, prayer and persistence. As we are taking this class on the parables, I plan to at some time, begin teaching the parables in a bible study class. When they are taught, people who hear you preach about them should be able to follow your message without hesitation and say amen.

[stevepiper]

Parables provide some of the best of Jesus? teaching and therefore provide marvelous material for us to use in our teaching and preaching. Although they can certainly be used while preaching through the Bible, more benefit may be realized by organizing an adult Bible study or a sermon series around just the parables themselves. This would be especially to be recommended for larger themes like the Kingdom of God, several aspects of which are addressed in the parables, or the Christology of the parables. Other thematic approaches, for example the parables of growth, could be challenging if it is acknowledged, as Dr. Blomberg asserts, that the vast majority of parables have more than one main point. This would make it necessary to emphasize some points of a parable and deemphasize others. Focusing on one multi-point parable at a time would in my view be a good way to approach preaching or teaching the parables. I think contextualization is very important in using the parables to preach or teach. The context of first century Palestine will not be as meaningful to people as their own context and recasting the parable in more modern terms will better communicate the impact and the meaning that Jesus was trying to convey to his audience in their context. As for developing the skill of preaching and teaching the parables, there is no substitute for thorough preparation and practiced presentation combined with regular use of the parables.

[stevepiper]

One of the hallmarks of communication in a postmodern culture is the ability of people to learn and retain information through storytelling. Many postmodern's crave this type of learning environment. As we examine the parables, however, we learn this style is not unique to our time but transcends back to Jesus' time and even into the Old Testament (cf., 2 Sam 12, Nathan and David).

Someone once told me that when we preach we must communicate Biblical truth, not tell stories. I would disagree with him in part. It is true that we must communicate the absolute truth of God's word but parabolic teaching is a valuable tool that we would be wise to embrace.

This skill is best developed by studying how Jesus communicated through parables and realizing that it involved more than just telling a story - it was connected in a relevant way to the truth he was teaching. Perhaps the easiest way to develop this skill is to stay in touch with our times and our culture and be aware of the issues and stories that are grabbing the attention of our people. After all, we are in the world, but not of the world.

Blessings.

I thought the comment about teaching Biblical truths and not telling stories was interesting. I conclude that in this context teaching Biblical truths without stories means purely doctrinal or theological teaching. You have to know your audience, just as Jesus did. Some people, including myself, find theological exposition very interesting and uplifting. For many people, they are at best confused and more probably they?re asleep. Why not teach Biblical truths using stories? That?s what the parables are. Now granted, one of Jesus? motivations was to disguise meaning so that only those for whom the teaching was intended could understand it. But that should not discourage us from putting the parables in modern contexts that communicate the essential truths that Jesus was teaching. It makes the truths understandable and easier to remember.

[Mark Miller]

To what extent should we teach or preach with parables today? How can we develop this skill?

I believe that the parables are a valid teaching methodology. Not only can we use the parables as they are presented in the Bible, but we can also use the methodology in order to teach Biblical truths. Think about sermons you have heard. What do your remember, principles or stories? I remember many more of the stories I?ve heard which illustrate principles than simply the principles. I think that Jesus illustrated not only truths through the parables, but also methodology. First, we must understand the principles, the central truths of the gospel. Then we can look for ways through which we can illustrate these principles. Jesus taught in the context of his culture. We have to do the same. I think Jesus showed us that very concept. How do we develop this skill? It is certainly helpful to engage in an intensive study of the parables as we have in this course. By doing so many more truths emerge more clearly than with a casual reading of the scripture. The many concepts surrounding context and authorial intent are helpful in building a true understanding of the truths Jesus taught. Then, we can examine at our own lives and our own context and use this methodology to reach those who are seeking the truth of God?s word.

[Mark Miller]

One of the hallmarks of communication in a postmodern culture is the ability of people to learn and retain information through storytelling. Many postmodern's crave this type of learning environment. As we examine the parables, however, we learn this style is not unique to our time but transcends back to Jesus' time and even into the Old Testament (cf., 2 Sam 12, Nathan and David).

Someone once told me that when we preach we must communicate Biblical truth, not tell stories. I would disagree with him in part. It is true that we must communicate the absolute truth of God's word but parabolic teaching is a valuable tool that we would be wise to embrace.

This skill is best developed by studying how Jesus communicated through parables and realizing that it involved more than just telling a story - it was connected in a relevant way to the truth he was teaching. Perhaps the easiest way to develop this skill is to stay in touch with our times and our culture and be aware of the issues and stories that are grabbing the attention of our people. After all, we are in the world, but not of the world.

Blessings.

I would agree. To be effective communicators we must be able to relate. We must be relevant. In a modern culture where the facts were enough for many to embrace the concepts stories may have had less of an impact. But the fact is our culture has changed. The facts are not enough and are often questioned if there is not a story to accompany them. Stories illustrate the validity of applying the facts. I can tell my kids not to touch a hot stove - or I can show them scars on my hands and tell them of my experience in touching a hot stove, burning my fingers, going to the hospital and experiencing the daily pain of changing bandages for two weeks until they had healed. People relate to stories and Jesus understood that. People listen to stories. We can teach and preach the parables as they are - making every effort to expose the truths of the gospel. We can also understand the truths ourselves to the extent that we can tell stories which illustrate the Biblical principles as they apply to our culture and context. I think the use of parables is very valid. We must not substitute our own stories for scripture, but we can use the methodology to be relevant.

[starpley]

To what extent should we teach or preach with parables today? How can we develop this skill?

You could preach the parables to the greatest extent if one desires to do so. The parables do need to be preached today. But in doing so we must be sure to dig into the text to uncover the most accurate historical context in which the parable was written. In doing this, it is more probable that we will reach the correct analysis of the parables. We can develop this skill by emersing ourselves within the text, researching the historical context, and asking ourselves why did Jesus teach this parable and what did he want us to learn?

[starpley]

I believe that parables should be taught a lot more frequently than I have personally been exposed to in my experience in the church. I believe we can develop this skill be examining how the situation and characters could be translated into the circumstances of our own contemporary culture and experiences. To better develop this skill I think we need to look more deeply at the historical background behind parabolic characters and circumstances. I think stories are so powerful in capturing hearts and minds to better understand and take in important principles being taught.

I agree with chewy_tlee. The parables are not taught enough today but need to be. We can develop this skill if we will be disciplined enough to examine in detail the situations and characters in which the parable was written and how the situations and characters come out in the circumstances within people's lives today. I also agree that stroies are very powerful tools in capturing hearts and minds today. People seem to grasp and understand a principle easier in a story than in theologically correct statements.

[carroche]

I believe stories always capture people’s attention, no matter what culture or generation one comes from and that is why part of the art of preaching and teaching is using good stories. I suppose that is why chronological Bible storying has become such a popular and effective evangelistic tool around the world in recent years. What strikes me about Jesus’ use of parables was his knowledge about the world he lived in. Whether people of affluence or poor Galilean peasants, he understood their life. To construct effective modern parables we need to do the same. One idea for employing this skill in our teaching might be to begin a Bible study with a discussion of a modern parable which highlights a biblical theme. Only after the discussion look at what the Bible says about it. This would highlight the areas where our perspective doesn’t line up with the Bible. Afterall wasn’t that what Jesus did through parables? He called people to decision. He called people to change.

[carroche]

I believe that parables should be taught a lot more frequently than I have personally been exposed to in my experience in the church. I believe we can develop this skill be examining how the situation and characters could be translated into the circumstances of our own contemporary culture and experiences. To better develop this skill I think we need to look more deeply at the historical background behind parabolic characters and circumstances. I think stories are so powerful in capturing hearts and minds to better understand and take in important principles being taught.

Undoubtedly we need to think about exegeting the passages correctly in accordance with their historical context. However, just as much as the need to exegete the passage we also need to learn how to exegete our own world and culture. Every culture thinks its perspective is right. It is hard to step out of it to see where there are incongruencies between what the Bible says, what we say we believe and what our actions reveal about our beliefs. Therein lies one of the keys to effective storytelling -- capturing these incongruencies in story.

[Barbara Irvine]

Jesus is the authentic role-model of the Master teacher, who, Himself identified with humanity to bring a point home. He left His divinity and humbled Himself to be found in the form of a man and was obedient to the death of the cross, and He chose to teach in parables. Throughout the Gospels, the parables of Jesus are illuminated with practical living appilcation. Jesus drew from some of the oral tradition and the Rabbinic tradition of His day to touch real-life situations; these stories and narratives are very easily understood. He gave an example in the sower and the seed and interpreted this for us to see clearly the good and incorruptible seed and how it fared in various (human) soils. An allegory with metaphors and similies, nonetheless captivating stories. The story telling technique used by Jesus grabs the attention of the audience and engaged them into the moving dialogue. Under the fresh anointing of the Spirit, the preacher who really knows his parishioners can touch the hem of the garment of Jesus for an outflow of healing. He can release through the practical story telling method an interest that speaks into the heart of every age group. The topics of the parables are so wide spread, they are almost limitless in their integration into the sermons. Jesus is the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow. His stories are timeless. Developing the skill of using the sermons means prayer, touching the throneroom of grace, finding living application and relevance to the group, and seeing the intrinsic meanings with each. There are layers of truth that must be uncovered; there are new highlights that only God can reveal.

[Barbara Irvine]

To consider Kingdom theology in the parables is to realize that the Kingdom of God is revolutionary; it speaks of turning the other cheek, loving one another regardless of differences, reaching out to the poor and the needy, and thinking more highly of others than yourself. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of reversals; the King of glory came as an infant in a feeding trough through a poor and unsuspecting virgin by the immaculate conception of the Spirit of the God of the Universe. Speaking of mysteries and galaxies of supernatural understandings, the Kingdom of God is another world altogether. Jesus came into this world as the greatest missionary of all time, to win the world with love, to remove the stain of sin forever, and to offer eternity to whomsoever will. The most humble and meek entered the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey exactly at the time prophesized by Daniel the prophet; He formally announced Himself to be the Messiah and then set His face as a flint to die. The King of the Kingdom of God is the Word made flesh. In the parables, Jesus taught Kingdom Theology that concealed the truth to the casual observer and revealed the truth to the disciples searching for truth. He said, parables are given so those that can see are blind and those that hear are deaf; He refered to Psalm 49:2. Jesus continually made reference to the Pharisees and religious leaders as in the Wicked Tenants who did not bring in the harvest, the elder son in the Prodigal who was jealous of the restoration of the younger brother, the workers that get the same wages at the eleventh hour, and the obvious avoidance of the victim by the Levites and the priests in the Good Samaritan. Jesus grouped his parabolic narratives into the harvest or eschatological parables concerning the end of the age. These include the kingdom growing in mysterious ways as in Mark 4:3-29, the seed growing secretly, the wheat and the tares, the 10 virgins, and the great banquet. Especially the rich man and Lazarus of Luke 16 describes the Kingdom theology of riches. In this the rich man ignores the need of the poor and eternity reverses their outcome; Abraham was rich, but he is seen as giving the best to Lot.Jesus speaks to the rich young ruler in another parable who loves his riches more than God. Kingdom theology also shows small beginnings that grow to great size as in the Mustard Seed. It also calls for building on the solid rock of the Word of God.
As to what kingdom truth is least understood and what truth is most needed today, the answer is love one another as yourself and to see who our neighbor is. Jesus came to reveal amazing love; he describes in the
Good Samaritan the Kingdom truth of crossing over cultural barriers to help one another at great risk of one's own life.

[Barbara Irvine]

To what extent should we teach or preach with parables today? How can we develop this skill?

You could preach the parables to the greatest extent if one desires to do so. The parables do need to be preached today. But in doing so we must be sure to dig into the text to uncover the most accurate historical context in which the parable was written. In doing this, it is more probable that we will reach the correct analysis of the parables. We can develop this skill by emersing ourselves within the text, researching the historical context, and asking ourselves why did Jesus teach this parable and what did he want us to learn?
(reply sent by Barbara Irvine on Sat. May 2006)
During the incarnation of Jesus, He came to reveal and to bring the Truth of eternal life. Jesus used parables, because the oral tradition and the understanding of the ordinary person showed this to be a very effective way to communicate. Of great importance is the knowing that Truth is for every culture and every age; God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. To understand the meaning of the parables is more than a study of historical context, it is to seek the Lord for oneself and ask Him. How can I effectively integrate this teaching to bring repentence and change to my congregation. Jesus taught more than thirty parables that easily cover every subject needed. Parables are for today.

[donaldagordon]

To what extent should we teach or preach with parables today? How can we develop this skill?

I believe we ought to normalize teaching and preaching parables today. If one simply asserts and expounds on truthful propositional knowledge, then one would be doing his or her listeners a good service but not one that exludes the benefits of parabolic sayings. Parables have the ability to, in one sense, position the listener in a non-guarded state. They have a way of exposing the heart which allows for the truth being spoken to penetrate at a level that it otherwise would not have if simply presented propositionally. One way we can develop this skill is by paying closer attention to our surrounding culture, for the sake of preserving the original intent and meaning of a parable yet re-contextualizing it to maintain its impact on the listeners.

[donaldagordon]

I would agree that we, in many ways, should never see the art of story telling as something that was for the "ancients". In many ways we were created to be heavily involved in a story that involves us but, when taken to its full extent is insurmountably bigger than our individual lives. The tapestry of human history is the story of a God who created us and in spectacular ways demonstrates an unshakeable faithfullness towards those that choose to joyfully bow the knee. He is also one who cannot deny Himself, whos Soverignty and might will forever remained unmatched. Those of us who teach and preach need to do what it takes to practically embrarce and master the art of good story telling.


I believe stories always capture people’s attention, no matter what culture or generation one comes from and that is why part of the art of preaching and teaching is using good stories. I suppose that is why chronological Bible storying has become such a popular and effective evangelistic tool around the world in recent years. What strikes me about Jesus’ use of parables was his knowledge about the world he lived in. Whether people of affluence or poor Galilean peasants, he understood their life. To construct effective modern parables we need to do the same. One idea for employing this skill in our teaching might be to begin a Bible study with a discussion of a modern parable which highlights a biblical theme. Only after the discussion look at what the Bible says about it. This would highlight the areas where our perspective doesn’t line up with the Bible. Afterall wasn’t that what Jesus did through parables? He called people to decision. He called people to change.

[mountaintop]

The parables are life lessons. Everyone needs to hear them for they are timeless and just as applicable today as they were when Jesus first spoke them. A way of teaching them is to pay attention to current life situations and news stories and then use the story as an avenue to teach a kingdom truth just as Jesus did. Those who heard him understood due to the life comparisons he made. The people of Palestine were farmers, fishermen and shepherds hence we find parables associated with these topics. We need to be creative and available to the Holy Spirit for guidance. There once was a car salesman....