Every Stone Speaks

Parables from the Gospels

Stories Jesus told

Jesus loved to teach with stories about ordinary things: a house, a barn, a lost coin, an inn, a big dinner. These stories are called parables. Each one shows us something true about God.

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.

Matthew 13:34 (BSB)

A parable is a short story with a big meaning hidden inside. Some people heard Jesus’ stories and shrugged. Others asked Him what they meant and found out what God is like. Read each one together, then talk about what it shows.

  1. The wise builder
  2. The bigger barns
  3. The lost coin
  4. The father who ran
  5. The good Samaritan
  6. The great banquet

Our picture stories

A tall stone tower house on a solid stone base.
A tall stone tower house on a solid stone base.

The wise builder

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25 (BSB)

Two men built houses. One built on sand, and his house fell in the storm. The other dug down to the rock, and his house stood. Jesus said that hearing His words is not enough. The wise person hears them and does them.

Talk about itWhat is one thing Jesus said that you could do this week?

A windmill with sacks of grain beside it.
A windmill with sacks of grain beside it.

The bigger barns

Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

Luke 12:18-20 (BSB)

A rich farmer had so much grain that he planned bigger barns, so he could take it easy for years. But that very night his life ended, and he could take none of it with him. Jesus said to be rich toward God, not just to keep things for ourselves.

Talk about itWhat is something you have that you could share? What does it mean to be rich toward God?

A small house with a tiled roof and a shady porch.
A small house with a tiled roof and a shady porch.

The lost coin

Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’

Luke 15:8-9 (BSB)

A woman lost one silver coin. She lit a lamp, swept every corner and did not stop until she found it. Then she called her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. Jesus said there is joy like that in heaven over one person who turns back to God.

Talk about itHave you ever lost something and looked everywhere for it? How did you feel when you found it?

A big house with a walled garden and a gate.
A big house with a walled garden and a gate.

The father who ran

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20 (BSB)

A son took his share of his father’s money, left home and wasted all of it. Hungry and sorry, he walked home to ask for a job as a servant. But his father saw him far away and ran to hug him. God welcomes us home like that father.

Talk about itWhy do you think the father ran? What does this story tell us about how God feels when we come back to Him?

A roadside inn with rooms around a courtyard for travelers.
A roadside inn with rooms around a courtyard for travelers.

The good Samaritan

But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Luke 10:33-34 (BSB)

Robbers left a man hurt by the road. Two religious men walked past. Then a Samaritan, someone the man’s people did not get along with, stopped, bandaged him, took him to an inn and paid for his care. Jesus said: go and do the same. Jesus Himself came to help us when we could not help ourselves.

Talk about itWho is someone who might need your help? What could you do for them?

A great hall with towers and banners, its gates open.
A great hall with towers and banners, its gates open.

The great banquet

But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

Luke 14:16-17 (BSB)

A man prepared a huge dinner and sent out invitations. The guests made excuses and stayed away. So he invited the poor, the lame and the blind, until his house was full. God invites everyone to His feast, and the door is still open.

Talk about itWhy do you think the first guests made excuses? What would you say to God’s invitation?

After the stories

Which story is about you?

In Luke 15, Jesus told three stories in a row about something lost: a sheep, a coin and a son. Each time someone searches, finds and celebrates. Jesus said that is why He came: to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

Talk about itWhich of the six stories do you like best? What does it tell you about God?

Read our picture stories More of what Jesus taught