Parables of Jesus – Lesson 2
by Michael Bailey
Matthew 5:3-12 (NIV)
The Beatitudes
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Questions to Ponder and Discuss:
● What stands out to you about this list of Beatitudes and rewards?
● What is the opposite characteristic of each of the eight Beatitudes?
● What do the Beatitudes reveal about what God values?
● Does the world value these same characteristics? Why or why not?
● Is it possible for a Christian to live out these characteristics? Why?
● How could you pray the Beatitudes for yourself and others?
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Parables Review
The English word “parable” originates from the Greek word “parabole”, which means “a placing alongside,” “comparison,” or “analogy”.
● “para”: This Greek prefix means “alongside” or “beside”.
● “bole”: This Greek word means “to throw” or “to cast”.
What is a parable? – A short narrative story used as a teaching tool to illustrate a spiritual truth. The parable provides an instructive parallel to the lesson or principle being taught.
Biblical Metaphors
A biblical metaphor is a figure of speech comparing an abstract spiritual concept to a concrete, relatable image to convey a deeper truth about God, humanity, or scripture. It functions as a “word picture” that illuminates unseen realities by highlighting similarities.
Metaphors compare X with Y or X=Y.
Examples of metaphors in the Bible:
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Salt and Light
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt losesits saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Let’s Ponder This
What are the characteristics of salt?
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How can YOU = SALT of the earth? (Look at the Beatitudes for ideas if needed.)
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What are the characteristics of light?
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How can YOU = LIGHT to the world?
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Salt and Light
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Questions to Ponder and Discuss:
● If you are like salt to the world, how could you lose your saltiness? What would you be doing? What would you not be doing?
● If you are like light to the world, how could you hide your light? How could you let your light shine before others?
● What are the “good deeds” spoken about in verse 16? What is their purpose?