1. Consider the word “parable”? From which language is it derived   and what   does it mean, literally, in that language?

2. Some of Jesus’ parables are not easy to understand. Why did Jesus   teach in   parables? Does he say anything that helps answer this question?   Consider   comments that McGarvey may have on this question. Feel free to   check other   commentators as well. Give specific credit for the use of ideas   from other sources.

3. Develop a brief (but not too brief) lesson on the Parable of the   Sower—answer these   questions as well as you can:

a. Who is Jesus’ audience?
b. Give   a brief synopsis   of the content.
c. What is the specific point or lesson that Jesus is   teaching?
d.   Does his audience understand? (Or does his audience respond at   all?)

4. Choose two of the following parables and work through them in the   same way (as in   number 3). If the audience is the same for all of the parables, just   make the point   and carry on. a. the parable of the tares b. the parable of the   mustard seed c. the   parable of the treasure d. the parable of the seed growing of   itself e. the parable   of the leaven f. the parable of the pearl

5. p. 346 Can you make sense of the fact that Jesus allowed some   demons to enter a   herd of swine, which then rushed into the sea and was drowned?   How should we   understand this episode?

6. Why did the people of the country of the Gerasenes beseech Jesus   to depart from   their borders? (Didn’t they appreciate what he had done?)