Purpose
To help class members develop “ears to hear” so they can understand how Jesus’ parables apply to them (Matthew 13:9).
Preparation
-
Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
-
Matthew 13:1–17. Jesus presents the parable of the sower and explains his use of parables.
-
Matthew 13:18–23. Jesus explains the parable of the sower.
-
Matthew 13:24–53. Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven on earth (the Church of Jesus Christ) through the parables of the wheat and the tares, the grain of mustard seed, the leaven, the treasure hid in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea.
-
-
Additional reading: Mark 4:1–34; Luke 8:4–18; Luke 13:18–21; Doctrine and Covenants 86:1–7; Bible Dictionary, “Gospels, Harmony of,” 689; “Parables,” 740–41; and “Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God,” 721.
-
Suggestion for teaching: Elder Boyd K. Packer said: “No teaching aid surpasses, and few equal, the chalkboard. … You can use it to focus the eyes of your students while the main lesson is presented audibly. As you talk, you can put just enough on the board to focus their attention and give them the idea, but never so much that the visual aid itself distracts them and becomes more interesting than your lesson” (Teach Ye Diligently [1975], 224–25; see also Teaching, No Greater Call [36123], pages 162–63).