Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

1. Study the following parables and accounts along with the accompanying commentary from the institute student manual. Describe in writing what you feel is the major principle the Lord wants us to understand from each of the parables:
• Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (pg. 124).
  I feel like the bigger principles in this parable are about serving the Master.  He has given us all and we need to use those gifts and to serve Him.  Be faithful in the tasks we are given and use each day to prepare to meet him.
• Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pgs. 124–25).
  We learn here that God has bridged the gap between spirit prison and paradise.  It’s important to serve others, even if we don’t have a lot to give.  That with which we are blessed is from God and he expects us to use those things to help others and be his hands.  I think we can learn from this parable that we shouldn’t cast someone away because of their spirituality or not. The bodies that bind our spirits don’t necessarily reflect what we are lacking or yearning.
• Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (pg. 130). See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (pg. 724).
  GIVING THANKS is the biggest principle from this message.  Even though we may think it, we need to say it and thank the Lord graciously, each day, for the blessing we are given – no matter if they are big or small.
• Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (pg. 131).
  The main principle from here is to not be selfish.  The judge only got rid of the widow because she was bugging him.  It wasn’t because he wanted to help her or feared God, but for a purely selfish reason.
• Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (pg. 131).
  Be humble in our lives.  If we are puffed up in pride, we have no opportunities to learn and we are compelled to be humble.  God will give us a reason to learn and be exalted.  But, we are better off learning and being humble from the beginning.
  
  
  ***It is better to learn from other people and from parables so that we may save ourselves some heartache and sin.