New Testament Class, Week 7, Student Choice Assignment

Choice 2: Luke 16:1–12, 19–31; 17:11–19; 18:1–14. Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

Study the following parables and accounts along with the accompanying commentary from the institute student manual. Describe in writing what you feel is the major principle the Lord wants us to understand from each of the parables:

• Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (pg. 124).  We are responsible for preparing for our eternal future and we would be wise be begin preparing now. I really like what Elder Talmage said in the student manual, "Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefor!"
• Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pgs. 124–25). There is life after this life. We either go to paradise, or hell, depending on the kind of person we were in this life. Before Christ visited the spirit world there was a gulf separating paradise and hell. When Christ's body laid in the tomb after his crucifixion, his spirit visited the spirit world. While there, he bridged the gulf that separated paradise from hell. Now that the gulf has been bridged, authorized ministers in paradise can teach the gospel to those in hell. Those who are taught have the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel.
• Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (pg. 130). See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (pg. 724). We need to have unshakable faith in the Lord. We should be willing to do whatever it is he asks of us. Also, when he blesses us for being obedient, we need to always remember to immediately show our gratitude to him.
• Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (pg. 131). Just because the wicked judge would not grant the widows plea for justice, does not mean God does not hear our pleas. We need to always pray to him, for he always hears us. In the student manual, Elder Talmage said, "The Lord’s purpose in giving the parable is specifically stated; it was ‘to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
• Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (pg. 131). The pharisee  had the attitude that he was better than the publican and felt he had the right to judge the publican because he was obedient to the Lord commandments. He lacked a very important attribute, humility. In the student manual, Elder Talmage said, "We are expressly told that this parable was given for the benefit of certain ones who trusted in their selfrighteousness as an assurance of justification before God." We need to be careful not to be like this pharisee and strive to be more like the publican, humble before the Lord, willing to confess our sins to Him.