About Family Parables

What are parables?

Parable means to compare. Parables have been used in the Old and New Testaments, ancient oriental writings, as well as by Native American tribes to convey a greater truth or meaning. Parables are usually a short story that has a parallel meaning or understanding. It is a type of analogy.

Why are they important?
Because of the parallel meaning, many parables can be seen as nothing more than a story. What makes parables special is discovering the parallel meaning; when the incomprehensible is now understood. Only those that are seeking understanding will find the deeper meaning, which is true of all knowledge. If you are seeking, you will find. If you knock, it will be opened. If you don’t knock, then it’s just another door.

Why were they used?
Jesus said he used parables so that those who were listening with their hearts and seeking answers could “know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:10) But for those that were not willing to accept the Saviors teachings the parables just seemed like stories. He said, “Seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand.” (Luke 8:10) So the Savior used these simple yet poignant stories to convey a truth or principle. These stories hid the greater understanding from the hypocritical priests, while opening the eyes of his followers to the truths.
A great example of this is in 2 Samuel. In Chapter 12, Nathan the prophet goes to David and tells him a simple story of a rich man with many sheep and goats stealing from a poor man, who only had one ewe lamb. The story at first seemed simple to David and he quickly passed judgment. When Nathan revealed to David that he was that man and explained the parable, the whole understanding of what he had done and how wrong it was became very clear to David.

Teaching with Parables
We often use analogies in our conversations to prove a point. Parables are like analogies, so using parables is very easy to do for most people. As was the case with many of the examples in the scriptures, starting with the parable may be most beneficial. Had Nathan started off by telling David he was wrong for what he did, David may not have understood the message very well. Since Nathan started with the parable, David was able to see the principle before considering his own position. After giving the parable, take time to talk about the parable to find out what your audience understands about your story. This will tell you whether or not your story has sunk in or if it was over their heads. Once they understand, then you talk about the principle and application of the principle in their lives.
One thing to remember, the comparison in a parable is not complete. It does not touch at every point. Parables are pictures of life as it is, not as it should to be, and compares certain points in the pictures with truth.