Parables of Jesus (Weeks 1-4)
The Parables of Jesus Study Guide
“The greatest stories ever told weren't meant to entertain—they were meant to transform.”
RESERVED FOR YOU
Luke 14:15–24 — The Great Banquet
Big Idea:
Everyone is invited—but not everyone comes.
START WITH THE STORY
Icebreaker:
What's an invitation you would find almost impossible to turn down?
Maybe the Grand Final, Olympics, favourite artist, dream holiday—or something involving unlimited food!
READ THE BIBLE
Read Luke 14:15–24.
Then read:
Romans 10:13 — Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.
John 3:16 — God's invitation is extended to the world.
Matthew 11:28 — Jesus invites the weary to come to Him.
DISCUSS
1. Why do you think each person in Jesus' story had a reasonable-sounding excuse?
2. What do the excuses reveal about their priorities?
3. The study material describes distraction, rather than outright rebellion, as one of the great dangers of modern life.
Do you think distraction can be as spiritually dangerous as rebellion? Why?
4. What are some things that can unintentionally become more important than following Jesus?
5. What does Romans 10:13 tell us about who is invited?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Complete this sentence honestly:
“One thing that can make me too busy for God is…”
Then:
“One change I could make this week is…”
GO DEEPER — THE TABLE IS STILL BEING FILLED
The invitation hasn't stopped.
God is still calling people to Himself.
Discuss:
Who first invited you toward Jesus?
What made you receptive to that invitation?
Who might God be asking you to invite?
What would a simple invitation look like?
THIS WEEK
The Invite Challenge
Invite one person to:
church
Connect Group
coffee
Alpha/New Christians Course
or simply a conversation about faith.
Don't try to force the conversation.
Just open the door.
PRAYER
“Jesus, thank You that Your invitation is open to everyone. Forgive us for allowing busyness and distraction to crowd You out. Give us courage to respond to You and invite others to the table. Amen.”
LOST BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
Luke 15:1–7 — The Lost Sheep
Big Idea:
Before you ever looked for God, God was already looking for you.
START WITH THE STORY
Jesus tells a simple story about a shepherd who has 100 sheep, but one goes missing. Instead of being satisfied with the 99 who are safe, the shepherd goes looking for the one.
Icebreaker:
Have you ever lost something that was really valuable to you? What did you do to find it?
READ THE BIBLE
Read Luke 15:1–7 together.
Then read:
Isaiah 43:1 — God knows and calls us by name.
Luke 19:10 — Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
Romans 5:8 — God demonstrates His love toward us.
DISCUSS
1. What stands out to you most about the shepherd's response to the lost sheep?
2. Why do you think Jesus emphasises the one rather than simply celebrating the ninety-nine?
3. The series says, “Lost doesn't mean forgotten.”
Have there been moments when you felt distant from God? What helped you realise He had not forgotten you?
4. Romans 5:8 says God demonstrated His love for us while we were still sinners. What does this tell us about the character of God?
5. Who might be a “lost sheep” in your world right now—a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague who may feel forgotten?
GO DEEPER
The shepherd pursues the sheep. The gospel isn't primarily about people successfully finding God; it's about God pursuing people.
Discuss:
What difference does it make to know that God isn't reluctantly waiting for us to come to Him, but actively pursuing us?
THIS WEEK
Prayer Challenge:
Ask God to put one person on your heart who feels far from Him.
Pray for them by name throughout the week.
Action:
Look for an opportunity to show that person the pursuing love of Jesus.
PRAYER
“Jesus, thank You that when I was lost, You didn't forget me. Help me recognise Your pursuit of me and become someone who pursues others with Your love. Show me who I can reach this week. Amen.”
THE ROAD HOME
Luke 15:11–32 — The Prodigal Son
Big Idea:
You can always come home.
START WITH THE STORY
Icebreaker:
What does the word “home” mean to you? Is home more about a place, people or belonging?
READ THE BIBLE
Read Luke 15:11–32 together.
Then read:
Romans 3:23 — We have all sinned.
Psalm 103:8–12 — God's mercy and forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 — Confession and forgiveness.
DISCUSS
1. What do you notice about the younger son's journey—from home, to the far country, and eventually back home?
2. Why do you think the son believed he needed to prepare a speech before returning?
3. The series says, “Sin promises freedom. It delivers slavery.”
Where do you see this principle operating in our world today?
4. What is significant about the father running to meet his son rather than waiting for him to arrive?
5. The son expected punishment, but received restoration—the robe, ring, sandals and feast.
What does this teach us about grace?
GO DEEPER
Read Luke 15:20 again.
The father doesn't say:
“Clean yourself up first.”
He embraces his son while he is still on the road home.
Discuss:
Why do people often feel they need to “get their life together” before coming to God?
How does this story challenge that idea?
FOR THE WHOLE GROUP
There are actually two lost sons in the story—the younger son who ran away and the older son who stayed but became resentful.
Discuss:
Which is easier to recognise: being far from God through rebellion, or being far from God while still appearing religious?
THIS WEEK
Ask yourself:
“Is there any area of my life where I have wandered from God?”
Then take one step toward home.
It might be repentance, prayer, forgiveness, asking for help or simply returning to God's presence.
PRAYER
“Father, thank You that Your grace is greater than our failure. Help us to come home to You without fear and to extend that same grace to others. Amen.”
READY OR NOT
Matthew 22:1–14 — The Wedding Banquet
Big Idea:
Following Jesus isn't simply accepting an invitation—it's allowing Him to transform your life.
START WITH THE STORY
Icebreaker:
Have you ever been invited somewhere where there was a dress code you weren't expecting?
What happened?
READ THE BIBLE
Read Matthew 22:1–14.
Then read:
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Anyone in Christ is a new creation.
Galatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of a transformed life.
James 1:22 — Don't merely hear God's Word; put it into practice.
Matthew 7:24–27 — The wise and foolish builders.
DISCUSS
1. What do you think Jesus is communicating through the picture of the wedding garment?
2. The series makes an important distinction: transformation is not perfection.
Why is that distinction important?
3. What are some ways following Jesus has changed you?
4. Are there areas where you know Jesus is asking you to change, but you've been delaying?
5. Why do you think Jesus repeatedly speaks about the urgency of responding to Him today?
GO DEEPER — HEARING → BELIEVING → DECIDING → BUILDING
Read Matthew 7:24–27.
Jesus describes two people who both hear His words. The difference is what they do with them.
The series describes the movement as:
Hearing → Believing → Deciding → Building
Discuss:
Where are you currently in that journey?
What is one thing Jesus has been speaking to you about that now needs to move from hearing into doing?
PERSONAL RESPONSE
Complete these three statements:
Jesus is inviting me to:
Jesus is asking me to change:
My next step is:
THIS WEEK — BUILD ON THE ROCK
Choose one practical response to what God has been saying during this series.
It could be:
getting baptised
joining a Connect Group
beginning to read the Bible
returning to church
forgiving someone
sharing your faith
establishing a prayer rhythm
joining a New Christians Course
asking someone to help you grow spiritually
The series itself points people toward baptism, Alpha/New Christians Course, Connect Groups and other next steps.
FINAL GROUP QUESTION
If Jesus really is who He says He is, what should change about the way we live tomorrow?
Give everyone an opportunity to answer.
PRAYER
“Jesus, we don't want to simply admire Your stories. We want to build our lives on You. Help us move from hearing to believing, from believing to deciding, and from deciding to building. Transform our lives so that others can see You through us. Amen.”
