Yesterday the students of CORE returned to studying Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel of Matthew. As you read in the previous posts, our lessons have often been derailed by sermon discussion. Since our Sunday mornings will soon be over–and there is much more I want to teach–I had to bring us back to Matthew.
Speaking of Sunday mornings ending soon…
…our last official morning together is Sunday, May 17. But spiritual growth does not take the summer off! So I have devised a plan!
Wednesdays at 6pm: Family Study!
CORE students are invited to join the study Matthew study that is happening with parents on Wednesdays beginning on Wednesday, May 20.
Okay, now back to CORE’s lesson yesterday.
We picked up with Jesus changing His teaching style.
The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'” Matthew 13:10-13
It’s at this time that Jesus changes His teaching style from literal, to…well, in a sense, coded messages. He began teaching in parables, which are stories with spiritual meaning. He did this to help explain His teachings to those who could understand, and to hide His teachings from those with hard hearts.
This is the awesome example we studied yesterday.
What do you think this story is teaching? What spiritual symbolism can you find? CORE used their critical thinking skills, as well as considered what they knew to be true about Jesus’ nature when unpacking the meaning of this parable. Then they checked their answers with Jesus’ explanation in Matthew 13:18-23
We concluded our lesson with a discussion about sowing the seed. Since we do not know the type of soil lives in the heart of each person, we should “sow the seed” in everyone! We should always be sharing the Good News that Jesus provides the only way to be at peace with God. Always. Without hesitation, and without excuse. After all, it’s Good News!
CORE Youth Ministry 