NEW TESTAMENT 2023
Come, Follow Me
with
Listen With Your Heart
Scripture:
Matthew 13:13-16
“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”
Song:
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Children’s Songbook p 57
Lesson:
What is a parable? The word parable comes from the Greek word paraballo, which means to compare. A parable is a simple story which compares common experiences to divine truths. Jesus often taught in parables because a parable conveys to it’s listener religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith. If you do not listen with your heart it is merely a story. If you do listen with your heart it reveals important principles such as compassion, integrity, work, and repentance. By living by these important principles we will become closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
In our scripture study this week, we are learning about the parable of the sower, the parable of the wheat and the tares, the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of the treasure and pearls. In these parables, Jesus is teaching us about the Kingdom of Heaven. As you read these parables, what do you learn as you listen with your heart?
Quote:
“Each of the parables spoken by the Savior seems to teach a principle or give an admonition regarding the attributes necessary to qualify for exaltation.” Howard W. Hunter
Q&A:
- How do we use our ears, eyes and hearts to listen to the word of God?
- In the parable of the sower, what do the seeds represent? (See Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23)
- How can we cultivate “good ground” in our home, so we can nurture the word of God?
- In the parable of the wheat and the tares, what do the wheat and tares represent? (See Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
- How can we make good choices, even if we live among “tares”?
- How is the Kingdom of Heaven like a mustard seed, or a fishing net? (See Matthew 13:31-32, 47-50)
- Why does Jesus Christ compare the Kingdom of Heaven to treasure and pearls? (See Matthew 13: 44-46)
Activity idea:
My Own Parable
Think of a simple story that could teach a gospel principle. Use the provided stationery to write your own parable and illustrate it. Work together to create a family parable, or let each family member create their own!
Treat idea:
Ice Cream Bibles
Enjoy these ice cream sandwich bibles as you learn from the parables and stories of Jesus found in the Bible.
These lessons are perfect for Family Home Evening at the beginning of the week, or to recap the following Sunday. Or use portions of the lesson throughout the week to enhance your family scripture study.
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