Parables #12 – Study Questions
The Mustard Seed & Leaven
Matt. 13:31-33
INTRODUCTION: Jesus continues with his parables. Matthew has two of them that brings out the thought of growth before he goes on to the interpretation of the parable of the weeds. These parables are important. Over against the mighty numbers of the worshipers of heathen gods and even of the Jews who acknowledged the true God, those who proclaimed the kingdom were a tiny minority. Jesus teaches them not to be hypnotized by size. These tiny beginnings would grow into something greater by far than any of the religions found in the disciples’ contemporary world. Jesus begins by comparing the kingdom to a mustard seed. Then he goes on to talk about leaven. The leaven was but a small amount, but in time it changed the large quantity of flour. Like the statement of the mustard seed, this one brings out the contrast and the continuity between the small beginnings of the kingdom and its great consummation. The little group of disciples might be despised as preaching a kingdom too insignificant to be noticed, but as surely as a tiny piece of leaven had its effect on a large mass of dough, so surely would the kingdom have its effect throughout the world. The parable also makes the point that the power that effects the change comes from outside the dough; the mass of dough does not change itself.[1] The key truth that we are to take away and consider from these two short statements by Jesus is that the kingdom of God may seem small and insignificant, but it has an outsized impact. Why? Because the God of the very universe is at the center of it. In other words, don’t underestimate what God can do.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, talk about an experience you had in your life with something that seemed small or insignificant that actually had an outsized impact. Or, conversely, something that was supposed to be amazing but ended up being truly underwhelming and unimpressive.
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
[1] Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 351–353.