‘Parables – Week 1’ – 6.7.2026

June 7, 2026
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Why Jesus Taught in Parables

Matthew 13:10-17

 

1. Spiritual Truth Requires Spiritual Receptivity (vv. 10-12)

10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” 11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”  Matthew 13:10-12 NLT

2. Repeated Rejection Leads to Spiritual Blindness (vv. 14-15)

That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. 15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’  Matthew 13:14-15 NLT

3. The Blessedness of Seeing and Hearing Jesus (vv. 16-17)

16“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” Matthew 13:16-17 NLT

44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. 45 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”  Matthew 13:44-46 NLT

  • The Kingdom Must Be Seen Before It Can Be Valued

  • A Hardened Heart Misses the Treasure

  • A Receptive Heart Responds with Joy

 

Two Different Searches, One Incomparable Treasure

 

1. The Man Who Wasn’t Looking

2. The Man Who Was Looking

3. Different Paths, Same Savior

4. The Treasure Is Better Than What They Were Looking For

5. The Church’s Mission: Helping Others Discover the Treasure

  • We Proclaim the Treasure

  • We Search for Those Who Are Searching

  • We Pursue Those Who Are Not Looking

  • We Live Like the Treasure Is Worth Everything

 

Journey Church exists to reach people who are disconnected from God and  lead them to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

 

Response

  1. Have I truly seen the value of Christ and His Kingdom?
  2. Is my heart receptive or resistant to God’s truth?
  3. What am I still holding onto that competes with Christ as my treasure?
  4. Who in my life is searching for truth that I can point to Jesus?
  5. Who may not be looking for God but needs me to pursue them with the gospel?
Next Steps

Handbook & Welcome Packet

•    The parent must complete the necessary registration forms and pay a non-refundable Annual materials fee. This covers registration fees, book, and materials for class.

•    The parent must provide the center with a pre-school/child immunization certificate, or Blue Slip. This is to be kept updated, if it is not, the center will send out a notice stating that the required immunizations are out dated. The form can be obtained through the health department or your pediatrician.

•    The parent will receive a copy of the policies and procedures and will go over them thoroughly. The parent will sign the Parental Agreement form which indicates policies and procedures and agreed upon fees.

•    All enrollment forms, including a Schedule Information Form, must be completed by the parent and returned to the center by the first day of attendance.

•    Parents of children with special needs or handicaps must inform the director of the child’s condition(s) prior to enrollment so it can be determined if the center can adequately meet the needs of the child. This is necessary for the well being of the child.

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