Use Parables in to tell biblical principles: Part 01
This is the first lesson about telling parables,
putting those stories in our own words in such a way. Putting these stories in
my own words I hope to stimulate God’s creativity in you. Ask yourself how you
might tell that story so that the people you are telling, or writing, to will
really get the message. Jesus did this so effectively and I am sure He will
lead you to do likewise. What awesome results can we expect when we do what
Jesus did? You can put His stories in your culture, in your time, framed for your
audience. Be careful to never stray so far from the Word that you misconstrue
God’s message, we are not writing a new “translation” or even a paraphrase for
publication, just sharing the Gospel in our own words. The stories about the
people in the Bible really lend themselves to this approach, as do the Parables
where I will be starting. Feel free to add any comments in the box below so that
I can share your insights with readers all over the world.
Mark 4:34 In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using
parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained
everything to them.
Jesus used parables almost always.
This verse stresses their importance and our need to do likewise. I am
convinced that if we are committed to doing what Jesus did, and empowered by
the Holy Spirit to do so, the Lord will inspire us to use the practical things
of life as tools to share Biblical principles with un-churched people or those
with a , "don't preach at me" attitude.
Here is an
example of how I once used a parable in a practical way. Many years ago we
lived in Cortland, NY, apple country. A couple of men I worked with had had a
life changing experience with the Lord but were not plugged into a church. I
was praying for them and as I was getting ready to leave for work one day I
just knew exactly what to say. I drew the analogy of an apple in spring. The
apple is small, very green with lots of potential. By October it will develop into
a large, delicious fruit if it stays connected to the tree. If the little apple
decides to jump down to the ground its future is not going to be good. The men
listened, they were given many opportunities and numerous invitations to
church. Sadly they never connected to the tree and the enemy of their souls
snatched them into some cult. 
Now lets look at a
personalization of the parable of the lost coin (see Luke:8,9). It
is short, simple and simply profound.When I was 13 my parents gave me a very expensive, beautiful ring for my Bar Mitzvah. It had a large black sapphire surrounded by several small diamonds. It was made of white Gold. We lived at the beach and on eday I left the ring with my friends mother while I went swimming. When I got out of the water she had moved her spot and my ring was nowhere to be found, it fell in the sand somewhere along their move. We all were very distressed and I was glad my parents were understanding when I got home. I spent most of the summer wondering if it could ever be found. I was not a Christian, did not hear the Gospel until many years later, but looking back I see that The Lord was showing me His goodness even then. Towards the end of the summer I was digging in the sand near the water, far from where the ring was lost. Suddenly, I felt something round and smooth. I grabbed it, held it tightly as I washed it off in the water. That same friend was with me and we ran to his mother with great excitement.
Nice story but let's bring it home. Have you lost something very valuable that you thought you could never find again? What in life could be more valuable than an ever growing relationship with God? If you have ever experienced Jesus like this you know what I mean. He is waiting for you to put your hand in the sand, to wash the stains of all your screw ups and heal the scars of rotten attitudes. Once done it is time for more excitement than you could ever experience.
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