This document discusses the use of parables and metaphors in teaching spiritual truths throughout the Bible. It provides examples of prophets like Nathan, Jotham, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel using parables to convey messages without confrontation. Jesus is highlighted for using parables most extensively to invite self-reflection from listeners about their standing as disciples. Specific parables from Jesus around discipleship costs, responsibilities and types are analyzed. The power of storytelling to express truth is noted. Overall it promotes using various illustrations as Jesus did to appeal to different hearers.

1. Lesson 2

2. KEY TEXT
“Jesus spoke all these things to
the crowd in parables; he did not
say anything to them without
using a parable.
So was fulfilled what was spoken
through the prophet:
‘I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since
the creation of the world’ ”
Matthew 13:34, 35

3. 1. Metaphor in the Old Testament.
2. Metaphors on the cost of
discipleship.
3. Metaphors on the types of
discipleship.
4. Metaphors on the responsibility of
disciples.
5. Metaphor in the New Testament.
Some notions are hard to explain
by using common expressions
(justification, sanctification…).
They can be better explained by
using symbols and metaphor,
parables and stories from our
daily life.

4. Most of the parables we know were told by Jesus, but some prophets before
him also used that didactic resource to teach divine truths.
Nathan used a parable to reveal David’s
sin; he also avoided the king’s anger
thanks to it (2 Samuel 12:1-7)
Jotham used the parable of the king of
the trees to show how contemptuously
Israel treated Gideon (Judges 9:7-20)

5. As we can see, Nathan
tells a parable in order
to disguise the real
purpose of his visit.
David implicates
himself as the
transgressor, thereby
pronouncing his own
sentence. Using a
literary device (a
parable), Nathan
accomplishes
something that
otherwise might have
produced confrontation
and, perhaps, even
execution (his own!).

6. Isaiah used examples from several
farming tasks. He taught that there
is a proper moment for every
farming task; the divine Farmer will
also execute the fair sentence when
the time is come (Isaiah 28:23-29)
Jeremiah used the example of a
bottle filled with wine and Ezekiel
used the example of the dead wine
branches. Both tried to preach the
consequences of rejecting the
redemption God offers
(Jeremiah 13:12-14; Ezekiel 15:1-7)

7. Isaiah’s poetic story draws from the agricultural
background familiar to his listeners. Centuries later, Jesus
would employ those same settings. Isaiah’s parable
teaches about God’s unlimited mercy during times of
punishment.

8. Jeremiah’s parable is a terrifying illustration of judgment. Whenever
human beings frustrate God’s redemptive purpose, God eventually
releases them to the consequences that they have chosen. Christ
likewise shares judgment parables with His listeners. Ezekiel uses a
different symbol to convey a similar message.

9. REFLECTION
What is it about
storytelling that makes it
such a powerful way to
express truth?
What are some of your
favorite stories, and why
do you like them?

10. THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK AND THE HOUSE ON
THE SAND (Matthew 7:24-27)
BUILDING A TOWER OR GETTING READY FOR WAR
(Luke 14:27-33)
Which of the builders laid better
foundation for his house?
What were the consequences?
Have you judged the cost
of discipleship like those
two characters did?

11. E.G.W. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, cp. 6, pg. 150)

12. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matthew 13:1-23)
THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND
THE TARES (Matthew 13:24-30)
Essentially Jesus is challenging His listeners to evaluate
their standing as disciples. Rather than confronting each
individual specifically, He speaks through parables,
inviting disciples to confront themselves. Looking into
their soul’s mirror, they can evaluate their materialistic
tendencies, review their capacity for perseverance,
analyze their worldly entanglements, and choose the
lifestyle of uncompromising discipleship.
WHEAT TARES
Jesus taught that not all who say
they are disciples are actually so.
He also warned about not
judging who is wheat and who is
tares; God is the only One who
can decide that.

13. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS
(Matthew 21:28-32)
Which of the two sons really answered the
call to be a disciple?
THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER
(Luke 14:15-24)
Who were called and didn’t
come? Who represent those
who were called by the streets?
Who must we force to come in?

14. THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD AND THE WICKED
VINEDRESSERS (Lucas 20:9-19)
Those who are saved and know Christ and His
Word are greatly responsible before the world.
We have received much; so much will be
demanded from us.

15. All inspired writers from Acts to Revelation used metaphor, comparison and visions
with symbols. Those representations help us to understand the message of the
Gospel. We are called to use that useful didactic resource when preaching.
Vision of the
unclean animals
(Acts 10:9-16)
Building a house
(1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
The human body
(1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
The armor of the Christian
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
The rudder of a ship
(James 3:4-5)
The visions in Revelation
(12, 18, 19)

16. Let’s do what Jesus did:
“Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By
using a variety of illustrations, He not only
presented truth in its different phases, but
appealed to the different hearers”
E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 1, pg. 21)

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