STORIES: The Parables of Jesus
Join us on an adventure this Summer!
The followers came to Jesus and asked, “Why do you use stories to teach the people?”
We’re excited to announce our Summer Series: STORIES
Every Sunday in July and August we’ll be considering the parables of Jesus and reflecting on what they have to teach us about His Kingdom. This series is for the whole church family with GBC Kids broadcast at 10am, followed by our Sunday Service at 10.30am.
And here's the line-up!
July 5 - The Wise and Foolish Builders
10am - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Pastor Jonny McGreevy)
Through this STORY of two builders, Jesus teaches us to LISTEN to His Word and APPLY it in our lives. Jesus told this parable at the end of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’. He wanted His words to change the way people lived. Every time we read the Bible or hear God’s Word we can either build on the rock (trust Jesus by following His Word) or build on the sand (forget everything we’ve heard).
July 12 - The Sower and the Soils
10am - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Pastor Jonny McGreevy)
Some STORIES are difficult to understand. Even Jesus’ disciples needed His help to understand what they meant. The Sower and the Soils teach us about four different responses (the four soils) to God’s Word (the seed). This parable is also a good reminder to those that teach God’s Word (the sower) to continue to faithfully do so.
July 19 - The Unforgiving Servant
10a
m - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Pastor Jonny McGreevy)
Our STORY this week focuses on forgiveness. The King in the parable forgives one of his servants a huge debt. The same servant goes to another and demands repayment. Rather than letting the kindness shown to him soften his heart he has an attitude of unforgiveness. This challenges us to think about our attitude - once our sin is forgiven, how do we react to others that sin against us?
July 26 - The Good Samaritan
10am - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Moore Casement)
Who is my neighbour? This is the question this STORY asks. Jesus teaches about a man attacked by robbers and three men who came upon him. Only the Samaritan responds with love. This STORY would have shocked Jesus’ listeners as they did not like Samaritans and challenges them and us to be ready to love anyone that God places in our path.
August 2 - The Big Banquet
10am - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Jamie Dill)
The moment we receive an invitation we have a choice to make. This STORY illustrates the invitation the Bible gives to us all. The servant in the parable who announces the invitation is a picture of Jesus. God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sin and to teach the Good News – everyone who trust in His work on the cross will join in the
Big Banquet. The ones who make excuses not to come are those who reject this teaching.
August 9 - Lost Sheep
10am - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Edwin Ewart)
The first of three STORIES that paint a picture of God’s love for His people. In this parable Jesus uses a picture of a shepherd searching for a lost sheep. God is still searching for lost sheep today. Jesus is our Good Shepherd who always finds the lost sheep. Jesus laid down His life for the sheep, by dying on the cross for our sin. Today, Jesus calls each of His lost sheep to come home.
August 16 - Lost Coin
10am - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Jamie Dill)
We’ve all experienced times when we’ve frantically searched for something we’ve lost. The truth God wants us to know through this STORY is that we are the Lost Coin and He is like the woman searching to bring us back. We go from being lost to found. Jesus finishes this story the same way he finished the Lost Sheep. We are meant to take notice. God will not stop seeking His children until we are found!
August 23 - Lost Son
10am - GBC Kids // 10.30am - Sunday Service (Matthew Campbell)
After telling the STORIES about the Lost Sheep and Coin Jesus tells the most famous of all the parables: The Lost Son. There are three main characters: the younger brother, the father and the older brother and we learn lessons from each one of them. The younger brother shows how we foolishly think we would be better off on our own, the Father shows the forgiveness and joy God offers when sinners home, and the older brother shows an attitude of bitterness and self-righteousness. Jesus leaves the story unresolved to challenge the attitude of the Pharisees who rejected Jesus and sent Him to the cross to die.
