StoneBridge Community Church
Storytime: The Mustard Seed: Matthew 13:31-32
Senior Pastor Jon Saur
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Community Church
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:20 PM
Sunday 5:21 PM
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http://bit.ly/2glYW8EThe Text In Context
Providing easy comparison for consideration, this website provides multiple tools for Biblical interpretation of Matthew 13:31-32.
https://bit.ly/3vz8rHsSermon Outline
I. Introduction to Parables
A. Billy Collins' poem
B. Parables describe the Kingdom of Heaven
C. It's really hard to describe the Kingdom of Heaven
II. The Parable of the Mustard Seed
A. Three ways to interpret this parable, at least.
1. Smallest becomes largest
2. This is the wrong type of plant
3. It's a work of God
III. How has the Kingdom of Heaven shown up in your life?
I. Introduction to Parables
A. Billy Collins' poem
B. Parables describe the Kingdom of Heaven
C. It's really hard to describe the Kingdom of Heaven
II. The Parable of the Mustard Seed
A. Three ways to interpret this parable, at least.
1. Smallest becomes largest
2. This is the wrong type of plant
3. It's a work of God
III. How has the Kingdom of Heaven shown up in your life?
Billy Collins Poem
Here is the poem that Pastor Jon referenced. While talking about poetry, this can also be a helpful poem to remind you how to read parables in the Bible well.
Introduction to Poetry
I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.
I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem’s room
and feel the walls for a light switch.
I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author’s name on the shore.
But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.
Here is the poem that Pastor Jon referenced. While talking about poetry, this can also be a helpful poem to remind you how to read parables in the Bible well.
Introduction to Poetry
I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.
I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem’s room
and feel the walls for a light switch.
I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author’s name on the shore.
But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.
Mustard Shrubs
Here is an article about Mustard plants, so that we can better understand the image Jesus uses in this parable.
https://bit.ly/3MptTFLNEXT STEPS:
1. Examine the three ways of interpreting the Parable of the Mustard Seed that Pastor Jon talked about.
2. Examine your own life.
3. Which of the three has lined up the most with your experience?
1. Examine the three ways of interpreting the Parable of the Mustard Seed that Pastor Jon talked about.
2. Examine your own life.
3. Which of the three has lined up the most with your experience?
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. How familiar are you with Jesus' parables? What is your favorite parable?
2. Do you have a least favorite? Which one? (It's okay to have a least favorite.)
3. How would you describe the Kingdom of Heaven?
4. Of the three possibilities for interpreting the Parable of the Mustard Seed that Pastor Jon presented, which one makes the most sense to you?
5. Which of the three reflects your experience of the Kingdom of Heaven?
1. How familiar are you with Jesus' parables? What is your favorite parable?
2. Do you have a least favorite? Which one? (It's okay to have a least favorite.)
3. How would you describe the Kingdom of Heaven?
4. Of the three possibilities for interpreting the Parable of the Mustard Seed that Pastor Jon presented, which one makes the most sense to you?
5. Which of the three reflects your experience of the Kingdom of Heaven?
The ALPHA Course is a 10-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for our lives today. A new session begins Thursday, April 28th. ALPHA is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity. ALPHA is informal, and friendly and provides a safe environment for questions and discussion. Dessert and childcare provided. Call Paul or Katrina Dixon at 579-8066 for more information or to sign up.
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