Institute
The Parables of Jesus: Course Outline

“The Parables of Jesus: Course Outline,” Institute Secondary Electives Student Readings and Selected Course Outlines (2016)

“The Parables of Jesus: Course Outline,” Institute Secondary Electives Student Readings

The Parables of Jesus (Religion 390R): Course Outline

Course Objective: Students will learn the doctrine and principles of the parables of Jesus Christ that are unique to each of the New Testament Gospels and the modern-day application of these parables.

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Parables

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence. … Only he who seeks finds” (Bible Dictionary, “Parables”).

Lesson 2: The Sower

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • Unless we strive to deepen and nourish our testimonies, we may lack the strength necessary to endure tribulations, persecutions, and temptations (see Matthew 13:20–21; Luke 8:13).

  • The cares of the world can distract us from focusing on the Lord and choke our faith and testimony (see Matthew 13:22).

  • As we open our hearts to the word of God and receive it, we will become converted to the Savior and bring forth good works (see Matthew 13:23).

Lesson 3: The Wheat and the Tares

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • The Lord will gather the righteous during the last days and destroy the wicked at His coming (see Matthew 13:38–43).

Lesson 4: The Mustard Seed and the Hidden Leaven

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • The restored Church of Jesus Christ will grow from a small beginning to fill the whole earth (see Matthew 13:31–33).

Lesson 5: The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • Because the blessings of the gospel are of eternal value, they are worth any sacrifice (see Matthew 13:44–46).

Lesson 6: The Gospel Net

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

Lesson 7: The Unmerciful Servant

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • Jesus Christ has paid an immeasurable price so that we can be forgiven of our sins (see Matthew 18:23–27).

  • If we want the Lord to forgive us, then we must forgive others (see Matthew 18:28–35).

Lesson 8: The Laborers in the Vineyard

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • God gives eternal life to all who choose to make and keep sacred covenants with Him (see Matthew 20:1–10).

  • If we choose to be envious of Heavenly Father’s blessings to others, we may lose blessings He desires to give us (see Matthew 20:11–16).

Lesson 9: The Two Sons

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • To enter the kingdom of God, we must obey our Heavenly Father and repent of our sins rather than only saying or pretending that we obey Him (see Matthew 21:28–32).

Lesson 10: The Marriage of the King’s Son

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • Our actions reveal the degree to which we truly accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God (see Matthew 22:1–14).

Lesson 11: The Fig Tree

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • No one knows the day and hour of the Lord’s Second Coming, but as we watch for and recognize the signs of the times, we can know the season is near (see Matthew 24:32–34).

Lesson 12: The Ten Virgins

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • We cannot borrow spiritual preparation and strength from others (see Matthew 25:8–9).

  • We prepare to meet the Savior by increasing our testimony and conversion through daily righteousness (see Matthew 25:1–13).

  • To be ready for the Lord’s Second Coming and to be worthy to remain in His presence, we must come to know Him (see Matthew 25:12).

Lesson 13: The Talents

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • If we faithfully use the gifts and abilities the Lord has given us, then we can fulfill our divine potential and receive eternal life (see Matthew 25:19–21).

  • The Lord will bless us if we faithfully use the gifts and abilities He has given us, regardless of how many we have or what they may be (see Matthew 25:22–23).

  • If we do not develop and use our spiritual gifts for good, then we will lose them (see Matthew 25:24–29).

Lesson 14: The Seed Growing by Itself

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • Only God can grant the blessing of spiritual growth, but we must do our part to nurture it (see Mark 4:26–29).

Lesson 15: The Two Debtors

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • As we exercise our faith by showing our love for the Lord, we can experience His forgiveness. As we receive the Lord’s forgiveness, we are filled with the desire to love and serve Him more (see Luke 7:36–50).

Lesson 16: The Good Samaritan

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • To obtain eternal life, we must love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves (see Luke 10:25–37).

Lesson 17: The Importuned Friend

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • If we persistently pray and seek Heavenly Father’s blessings in times of need, then He will answer our prayers in ways that bless us most (see Luke 11:5–13).

Lesson 18: The Rich Fool

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • The greatest blessings of life are not temporal possessions (see Luke 12:13–21).

  • The Lord commands us not to covet worldly possessions (see Luke 12:15).

Lesson 19: The Barren Fig Tree

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • If we do not repent and produce good works, we will perish (see Luke 13:1–9).

Lesson 20: The Lost Sheep and Lost Piece of Silver

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • Each soul is of great worth to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see Luke 15:7, 10).

  • When we help others feel a desire to repent, we feel joy and the heavens rejoice (see Luke 15:1–10).

Lesson 21: The Prodigal Son

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • If we return to our Heavenly Father by sincerely repenting and seeking His forgiveness, He will rejoice and welcome us back with open arms (see Luke 15:11–32).

  • We can become more like our Heavenly Father by responding with compassion and joy when others repent (see Luke 15:25–32).

Lesson 22: The Unjust Steward

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • If we wisely prepare for our eternal future and righteously use earthly riches, we can be blessed with eternal riches (see Luke 16:1–12).

Lesson 23: Lazarus and the Rich Man

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • If we are covetous and do not use earthly riches righteously, we will eventually experience suffering and regret (see Luke 16:19–26).

  • Conversion comes from believing and heeding the words of the prophets, not by witnessing miracles (see Luke 16:27–31).

Lesson 24: The Unjust Judge

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • If we are sincere and persistent in our faithfulness to the Lord, we can obtain His mercy (see Luke 18:1–8).

Lesson 25: The Pharisee and the Publican

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • God justifies those who humble themselves and seek His mercy (see Luke 18:9–14).

Lesson 26: The Good Shepherd

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • Jesus Christ knows and loves each of us and laid down His life for us (see John 10:14–15).

Lesson 27: The Vine and the Branches

Suggested Lesson Material

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Concepts

  • “For the fruit of the gospel to blossom and bless our lives, we must be firmly attached to Him, the Savior of us all, and to this His Church, which bears His holy name” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Abide in Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 32).