Russ and Mike break down the new parable series and discuss how there’s something for everyone in Jesus’ masterful works.
Jesus and the Power of Storytelling
A weekly series about making God personal through parables.
Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you use nothing but stories when you speak to the people?” Jesus answered: I have explained the secrets about the kingdom of heaven to you, but not to others. Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don’t have anything will lose even what little they have. I use stories when I speak to them because when they look, they cannot see, and when they listen, they cannot hear or understand.
Matthew 13:10-13
Contemporary English Version
Anyone with a favorite movie or book understands the power of storytelling, and how the best stories can stick with us years after we heard them.
Jesus is a masterful storyteller; his stories help us connect with and understand God in ways we never would have been able to otherwise.
Stories make things personal. They help us develop empathy and make others more real to us, which is why we tend to have such a deep attachment to the characters in our favorite books and movies.
So it should come as no surprise that Jesus uses stories to teach us about God. Jesus’s stories (or parables) are simple, yet profound. In just a few short sentences, he can tell a story that helps his audience make God real and personal.
Listen to the Podcast
It’s very easy to overcomplicate our relationship with God, but that’s not how Jesus did or does it. Jesus’s parables make spirituality very accessible. They are also fun to read, full of unexpected plot twists and eye-opening insights. We have spent many hours in awe of all the ways each short story changes our view of God.
If you’re new to reading the Bible, the parables of Jesus are a great place to start. These stories will help you understand God and what he values, in an entertaining and clear way.
If you’ve been reading the Bible for decades, take some time to slow down and appreciate the deep spiritual truths found in Jesus’s simple stories. No matter how many times you read them, you will find something new that will help you build a closer relationship with God.
Stay tuned
In this series, we will explore twelve of Jesus’ many parables, using devotionals, podcasts, and videos to best understand and dive into these stories. We hope that in doing so, we will all come out better thinkers, listeners, and friends to God and others.
Check back each week for a new installment as we tackle 12 parables over the next 12 weeks.
