Parable Basics
This is a short, simple story used to teach a spiritual or moral lesson.
What is a parable?
In this parable, the seed represents this.
What is the Word of God?
Jesus taught this surprising principle about who is first in God’s kingdom.
What is the first will be last and the last will be first?
This parable warns against putting trust in riches and ignoring others' needs.
What is the parable of the rich fool?
In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the King represents this person.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus used these familiar things to help listeners understand spiritual truths.
What are everyday objects or experiences?
The different types of soil represent these.
What are different kinds of hearts?
This parable shows the reversal of rich and poor in the afterlife.
What is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus?
This man stored up grain and thought he had all he needed—then died that night.
Who is the rich fool?
These animals represent people who hear and obey God’s will.
What are sheep?
This parable teaches that every person is valuable to God
What is the parable of the lost coin (or lost sheep)?
This kind of soil shows a hard heart that doesn’t accept God’s Word.
What is the soil on the path?
This principle shows that we should use what we have to serve others and follow God.
What is the "first will be last" principle?
This parable warns us not to think we are righteous just because we act religious.
What is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector?
These actions—feeding, clothing, visiting—are actually done for this person.
Who is Jesus?
In this parable, Jesus warns against pretending to follow him without true belief.
What is the parable of the narrow door?
This soil represents a heart that accepts the Word quickly but lacks depth.
What is the rocky soil?
In this parable, a man finds treasure, sells all he has, and buys a field.
What is the parable of the hidden treasure?
The Pharisee in the temple thanked God that he wasn’t like this kind of person.
What is a tax collector?
This parable teaches that what we do for or to others reveals our heart toward Jesus.
What is the parable of the sheep and the goats?
In this parable, Jesus invites everyone into his kingdom—no excuses allowed.
What is the parable of the great banquet?
This soil hears the Word but is distracted by worries, riches, or pleasure.
What is the thorny soil?
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is more valuable than any earthly thing, like this item a merchant searched for.
What is a pearl?
In this story, Jesus teaches that those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
What is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector?
Jesus says that helping or ignoring others shows whether you are truly this.
What is a follower of Jesus (or for/against him)?