1. What words best describe the friend (vs. 5-8)?

2. What’s the significance of the man going to his friend at midnight? Why did Jesus include that detail in the story?

3. Have you ever felt like you were bothering God or that He didn’t care? Explain.

4. Why did Jesus use a reluctant friend to encourage us in prayer?

5. Do you feel like God is eager to give you what you need? Why or why not?

6. Is there something you’ve been asking God for a long time? Do you feel motivated to keep praying, or have you lost heart? Explain.

7. What does this passage teach you about the character of God?

8. The friend’s reluctance in the parable is not a reflection of our heavenly Father; it’s a contrast to our heavenly Father. How might this affect the way you pray?

9. The parable begins with a man asking a friend for bread. Why did Jesus end the story with the heavenly Father giving the Holy Spirit? What’s the connection? How does this help you understand the main point of the parable?

10. What are you praying for these days?

11. How will this parable affect your prayer life this week?

12. Pause and ask God what He wants to say to you.

Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God.
Mother Teresa

SIMPLE GUIDE TO INTERPRETING PARABLES

A parable is literally something cast or thrown alongside something else. It’s a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. A parable often compares two (usually seemingly unrelated) things and is commonly understood as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

Jesus spoke in parables…

Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to 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 13:11,13 (NIV)

1. To reveal truth to those seeking to understand the mysteries of the kingdom.

2. To conceal truth to those who remain blind or are unwilling to listen and learn.

AS YOU SEEK TO UNDERSTAND…

Consider the context. Who was Jesus talking to in the story? What events happened before He told the parable? Are there introductory words that set up the story?

Look for two things being compared or contrasted (e.g., righteousness and sin, good and evil, generosity and greed, forgiveness and love, etc.). How are these two related? What major themes emerge as you read?

Don’t get distracted by the details. While it’s important to take note of particular words and phrases, don’t get so bogged down in the tiny details that you miss the point.

Focus on Endings, Not Beginnings. The end of the story often provides a clue or ties things up. The accent commonly falls on the last person mentioned, the last deed or the last saying.

Seek to summarize the main point. Boiling down the parable in a sentence or two might help reveal the central message.

Look for parallels in Scripture. Some concepts and imagery occur repeatedly. Look for those cues when reading parables, as they may offer insight into understanding what the parable is saying. For example, a master, king or judge in a parable usually signifies God. Sheep, servants or workers are usually used to illustrate the followers of God.

Consider a practical application. Parables usually provide a simple lesson for daily life.

Beyond study, the goal is to deepen intimacy with God.
A central question to ask is, God, what do you want to say to me?
Trust that He will direct your heart and mind as you seek Him.

App and the Daily Devotional
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Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.