I am the Bread of Life - Scriptures and Quotes

Bible Dictionary – Gospels – Page 683 – Second and Third Paragraphs

Luke 1:3-4

Bible Dictionary – Theophilus – Page 785

Reading 1 – John 6:1-3

Reading 2 – John 6:5-13

Reading 3 - John 6:24-26

Reading 4 – John 6:27-33

Reading 5 – John 6:34-40

Reading 6 – John 6:43-51

Reading 7 – John 6:60-68

Reading 8 - Elder Neal A. Maxwell has written: "The lessons of history concerning faith are deeply relevant to the present. For instance, some of His early disciples found Christ's claim as to His unique role too much. They "walked no more with [Jesus]", when their little faith in Him failed. These fair-weather friends had just eaten hungrily of the miraculous loaves, but still they rejected Jesus' declarations of His divinity as the Bread of Life! Once again, experiencing miracles is no substitute for nurturing daily faith." (Lord, Increase Our Faith, p5)

Reading 9 – John 5:1-9

Reading 10 – John 5:19-23, 30

I am the Bread of Life - Study Guide

Lesson 12: “I Am the Bread of Life”, New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

John 5–6; Mark 6:30–44; Matthew 14:22–33

• Jesus challenged the Jewish leaders to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39). What is the difference between searching the scriptures and reading them? How have you made your personal and family scripture study more meaningful? How have you been blessed as you have searched the scriptures?
• Why did Peter’s faith falter as he walked on the water? (See Matthew 14:30.) How do we sometimes make similar errors when difficulties arise?
• How is “bread of life” an appropriate description of the Savior and the blessings he offers us? (See John 6:35, 47–51.) How can we partake of the “bread of life”? (See John 6:47, 51–54; Matthew 26:26–28; Alma 5:33–35; D&C 20:77.)

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Read Matthew 14:22–32. Point out that Peter showed great faith when he walked on the water, but he began to sink when he became frightened. Display a picture of Jesus Christ, and assure family members that although there will sometimes be trouble around them, they can overcome fear by remembering the Savior and following him. Ask family members to tell about times when they overcame fear by remembering Jesus Christ and his teachings.

Scripture Chain: The Scriptures Testify of Christ

John 5:39

John 20:31

Acts 18:28

Understanding the Parables - Quotes

President Eyring Quote

Testimony will come to you in pieces as parts of the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ are confirmed. For instance, as you read and ponder the Book of Mormon, verses you have read before will appear new to you and bring new ideas. Your testimony will grow in breadth and in depth as the Holy Ghost confirms that they are true. Your living testimony will expand as you study, pray, and ponder in the scriptures. The best description for me of how to gain and keep this living testimony has already been referred to; it is in the 32nd chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. You may have read it many times. I find new light in it every time I read it. Let’s review the lesson it teaches once again tonight. We are taught in those inspired passages to begin our quest for testimony with a “particle of faith” and with desire for it to grow (see Alma 32:27). Tonight you have felt faith and that desire as you listened to stirring talks of the Savior’s kindness, His honesty, and of the purity His commandments and the Atonement made possible for us. So, a seed of faith is already planted in your heart. You may even have felt some of the expansion of your heart promised in Alma. I did. But, like a growing plant, it must be nurtured or it will wither. Frequent and heartfelt prayers of faith are crucial and needed nutrients. Obedience to the truth you have received will keep the testimony alive and strengthen it. Obedience to the commandments is part of the nourishment you must provide for your testimony. You remember the promise of the Savior: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). That has worked for me, as it will for you. (President Eyring Address, Young Women Broadcast, Yesterday)

Joseph Smith said: "I have a key by which I understand the scriptures. I enquire what was the question which drew out the answer or caused Jesus to utter the parable. (Smith, Teaching, p.276)

Bible Dictionary about Parables. (1) Most teachers, especially Oriental teachers, have used some form of parable in their instruction, but none so exclusively as Jesus at one period of his ministry. During part of the Galilean ministry the record states that “without a parable spake he not unto them” (Mark 4:34). From our Lord’s words (Matt. 13:13–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10) we learn the reason for this method. It was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, “seeing they see not,” while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds.





Personal Research - Connections - Patterns & Themes (see how it relates to Lehi's Dream?)


1) Those that hear the message, but don't do anything about it. In the parable, they are desribed as falling by the wayside and being eaten by fowls. In Lehi's dream, he says that multitudes felt their way toward the great and spacious building (apparently ignoring the rod and the path to the tree altogether.)

2) Those that hear the message and start to obey, but fall away quickly. The Savior says that these fell into stony places and sprung up, but having no root withered in the sun. In the dream, these would be those that started along the path to the tree but lost their way in the mist.

3) Those that hear and accept the message, but are lost to the world. The parable describes these as falling among thorns which choked them. In Lehi's dream, these are the multitude who make it to the tree and partake of the fruit only to hear the scoffing of those in the great and spacious building and become ashamed, falling away.

4) The last group are those that hear and accept the message and then endure to the end. The Savior describes them as falling into good soil and bringing forth good fruit. Lehi says that "other multitudes" pressed forward, holding to the rod, and partook of the fruit of the tree.

Commentary to better understand parables:

Understanding the parables of Jesus helps in understanding the gospel, but it also involves understanding him, his times, and his people. We must often work at interpreting Jesus’ parables now, because the world of parables has largely passed away. Its herds were mainly those of sheep and goats, small enough to get personal attention; beef was a luxury even for a rich man. Its farms were small, often rocky, and towers were built for visibility in guarding the harvest. That world sharply divided rich and poor, and the economics of both are revealed in strange coins. Custom was strong, for even the poor fed a guest liberally. Their simple homes had one room; wealthy homes were filled with servants. Jesus used all of these as symbols for his messages, and understanding these symbols holds high priority for us, since the Savior warned: “Take heed therefore how ye hear. …” (Luke 8:18.) And understanding the parables is vital, for he illustrated with parable doctrines that he obviously cared about teaching.
In the case of the wheat and the tares. There are numerous symbols here that correspond to life, because Jesus designed these stories that way and he said so. But in the case of the wheat and tares, Jesus said the one who sowed the seed “is the Son of Man” (Matt. 13:37), or himself. There is no doubt that he was witnessing to his divine mission.
Jesus anticipated man’s varied responses to his messages. The leading example of that is the parable of the sower, which Elder Talmage suggested should be named “The Four Kinds of Soil,” since its main point concerns the way we respond to the seed of the gospel. (Jesus the Christ, p. 284.)
Jesus explained this in detail—how in some the seed fails to root at all, and in others it roots but withers because of lack of determination in serving God, and in still others the gospel seedlings are choked by the weeds of worldliness and materialism. (See Matt. 13:18–22.) But even when the seed grows, it does so with various degrees of success, as good ground may have low, medium, and high yields. (Matt. 13:23.) This parable is a story of vital personal relevance, for everyone hearing the gospel message can find his own “category” and evaluate his “yield.” In other parables the Savior tells how to measure our productivity. Comparing God’s kingdom to treasure or to a costly pearl, Jesus drove the point home that one gains eternal wealth by selling “all that he hath” (Matt. 13:33–36) or, in other words, one must be willing to continue in his word and do all that he commands.
For All Ages
A student can draw from the teachings of the Lord in a measure equal to that which he brings to it. That is why any of the great illustrations He used are useful in teaching Primary and in illustrating to tiny minds principles that they will come to understand in a greater measure later in life. Likewise the same parable or the same story can be the subject of a lesson in the Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School or in the high priests quorum, to be wrestled by venerable senior members of the Church, still drawing lessons and instructions and meaning by association with other things they have learned in life.
There is no ideal age at which each or any of the illustrations might be used. They are good for every age and any age. They never become outdated. They were meaningful in Palestine in the meridian of time; they were powerful in the Middle Ages; they were necessary at the turn of the century; they are vital to us now; and they will be useful as the century turns again and will be important to each of us wherever we are then, on this side of the veil or beyond it.
The Book of Mormon has numerous examples of the use of symbolism. Particularly good examples of this are Lehi's dream of the tree of life (1 Nephi 8) and Nephi's vision of the same thing (1 Nephi 11 and 12).
Another good example of symbolism in the Book of Mormon is the comparison of the house of Israel unto an olive-tree. This symbolism is used extensively in Jacob, chapters 5 and 6. The following quotations indicate how the explanation of the symbol reinforces with the student the concept to be learned.
Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive-tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our fathers; and behold are we not broken off from the house of Israel, and are we not a branch of the house of Israel?

And He Spake Many Things Unto Them in Parables

Lesson 11

Purpose

To develop “ears to hear” so you can understand how Jesus’ parables apply to them (Matthew 13:9).
a. Matthew 13:1–17. Jesus presents the parable of the sower and explains his use of parables.
b. Matthew 13:18–23. Jesus explains the parable of the sower.
c. Matthew 13:24–53. Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven on earth (the Church of Jesus Christ) through the parables of the wheat and the tares, the grain of mustard seed, the leaven, the treasure hid in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea.

Reminder for your Family Home Evenings: Elder Boyd K. Packer said: “No teaching aid surpasses, and few equal, the chalkboard. … You can use it to focus the eyes of your students while the main lesson is presented audibly. As you talk, you can put just enough on the board to focus their attention and give them the idea, but never so much that the visual aid itself distracts them and becomes more interesting than your lesson” (Teach Ye Diligently [1975], 224–25; see also Teaching, No Greater Call [36123], pages 162–63).
Attention Activity
Imagine you are riding in a bus. As the journey progresses, they look through the windows of the bus and observe the scenery. After traveling together in the same bus, will you have observed the same things as the other passengers? Why or why not?
People in the same situation do not always observe the same things. Likewise, not all the people who heard Jesus teach in parables understood how the parables applied to them.
This lesson will discuss how we can understand and apply Jesus’ parables.
Scripture Discussion and Application
Learn about the different persons, objects, and actions they represent. This will help you understand the parables and apply them in their lives.
1. Jesus presents the parable of the sower and explains his use of parables.
Read Matthew 13:1–17.
When the multitudes gathered on the seashore, Jesus “spake many things unto them in parables” (Matthew 13:3).
What is a parable? (A symbolic story that teaches gospel truths by comparing them to earthly things.)
What did Jesus say was his purpose in teaching with parables? (To simultaneously teach his message to his disciples and conceal it from unbelievers.
See Matthew 13:10–13; note the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 13:12 in footnote 12a.)
Read the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3–8). Remember that the objects and actions in the parable represent gospel truths.
What keeps the seeds that fall on the wayside from sprouting? (See Matthew 13:4.
Write on the chalkboard (Seeds on wayside—eaten by birds.)
Why do the seeds in the stony soil wither away? (See Matthew 13:5–6; Luke 8:6.
Write on the chalkboard (Seeds in stony places—have no root.)
What happens when some seeds fall among thorns? (See Matthew 13:7.
Write on the chalkboard (Seeds among thorns—choked by thorns.)
What happens to the seeds that fall in the good soil? (See Matthew 13:8.
Write on the chalkboard (Seeds in good soil—bring forth fruit.)
How might people react when they hear this parable without any explanation of its meaning? (Some people might become frustrated because they do not understand it. Others might understand it but think it does not apply to them. Others might ponder it and ask questions until they understand it and know how to apply it in their lives.)
What invitation did Jesus extend after he presented the parable of the sower? (See Matthew 13:9.)
What do you think the word hear means in this invitation? What does it mean to see but see not and to hear but hear not? (See Matthew 13:13–15.) The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “The multitude … received not His saying … because they were not willing to see with their eyes, and hear with their ears; not because they could not, and were not privileged to see and hear, but because their hearts were full of iniquity and abominations. … The very reason why the multitude … did not receive an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 96–97).
2. Jesus explains the parable of the sower.
Read Matthew 13:18–23, and discuss the meaning of the objects and actions in the parable of the sower.
Seed
In the parable of the sower, what does the seed represent? (See Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:11.
Write on the chalkboard (Seed = word of God.)
Wayside
What does the wayside represent? (See Matthew 13:19.) Write on the chalkboard Wayside = people who hear the word of God but do not understand it (abbreviate the statement if desired).
What are some things we might do that prevent us from understanding God’s word? (See Mosiah 26:1–3 for one possible answer.)
What must we do to be able to understand the word of God? (See Alma 32:27.)
How does lack of understanding make it easier for Satan to take away the word from our hearts? (See Matthew 13:19.)
Stony Places
What do the stony places represent? (See Matthew 13:20–21.) Write on the chalkboard Stony places = people who hear and receive the word of God but do not allow it to take root in them (abbreviate the statement if desired).
Why do some people not allow the word of God to take root in them? (See Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:5.)
How can we allow the word to establish deep roots in us? (See Alma 32:41–43.)
How will this help us endure the heat of tribulation, persecution, and offense?
Thorny Places
What do the thorny places represent? (See Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14.)
Write on the chalkboard Thorny places = people who hear the word of God but are distracted by the cares of the world (abbreviate the statement if desired).
What does it mean for a person to be unfruitful?
What “thorns” cause people to be unfruitful? (See Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14.)
How are these thorns evident in the world today?
What can we do to prevent these thorns from choking the word of God in us?
Good Ground
What does the good ground represent? (See Matthew 13:23.)
Write on the chalkboard Good ground = people who hear the word of God, understand it, and do works of righteousness (abbreviate the statement if desired).
What could be done to help the unproductive areas produce fruit? (The wayside could be plowed and fertilized, the stones could be removed, and the thorns could be uprooted.)
How can this apply to our efforts to be more receptive to God’s word?
Why do you think the parable of the sower focuses more on the ground than on the sower or the seed?
3. Jesus uses parables to teach about the kingdom of heaven on earth (the Church of Jesus Christ).
Matthew 13:24–53. In these verses the term “kingdom of heaven” refers to the Church of Jesus Christ, which is the kingdom of heaven on earth (Bible Dictionary, “Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God,” 721).
What is the meaning of the parable of the wheat and the tares? (See Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43; D&C 86:1–7. List who or what is represented by the sower, the field, the good seed, the tares, the enemy, the harvest, and the reapers.)
In the parable of the wheat and the tares, why does the sower refuse to let his servants immediately gather the tares, or weeds? (See Matthew 13:27–30; see also D&C 86:5–7, which clarifies Matthew 13:30.)
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven are about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 98–100).
What can we learn about the restored Church from the Savior’s comparing it to a mustard seed? (See Matthew 13:31–32.) To leaven? (See Matthew 13:33. Leaven is an ingredient, such as yeast or baking powder, that causes bread to rise.)
How have you seen the work of God increase as illustrated by these parables?
What can we learn from the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price? (See Matthew 13:44–46.)
What sacrifices should we be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel?
What sacrifices have you or those you know made for the gospel? What blessings have resulted from those sacrifices?
What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See Matthew 13:47.)
What does it mean to be gathered into the net?
What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (See Matthew 13:48–50. Use Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4 to explain that “the end of the world” in verse 49 refers to the destruction of the wicked.)
What can we do to help us stay faithful in the Church and to help others do the same?
Conclusion
Point out that Jesus explained his parables to those who sought understanding.
Testify that as we study Jesus’ parables with a sincere desire to understand, we will see how they apply in our day.
Object lessons
To understand and remember the parables in the lesson, display some of the objects described in them. For example, you could show how yeast reacts when combined with water and sugar.
You could bake one loaf of bread with yeast and one without yeast, and allow class members to see and taste the difference. show some mustard seed (or ground pepper, which looks like black mustard seed). See Teaching, No Greater Call, pages 163–64, for suggestions on teaching with objects.

How do we study Parables?

We all want to better understand the teachings of the Savior. He was the master teacher. He teaches us great lessons of life through His parables. Click on "understanding parables" for an excellent summary that is the Ensign years about understanding parables.

What does Sealed Portion of Bible say about Parables?

Parables (The Sealed Portion of the Bible, also know more frequently as the Bible Dictionary).

Parables. (1) Most teachers, especially Oriental teachers, have used some form of parable in their instruction, but none so exclusively as Jesus at one period of his ministry. During part of the Galilean ministry the record states that “without a parable spake he not unto them” (Mark 4:34). From our Lord’s words (Matt. 13:13–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10) we learn the reason for this method. It was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, “seeing they see not,” while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds.

(2) The word parable is Greek in origin, and means a setting side by side, a comparison. In parables divine truth is presented by comparison with material things. The Hebrew word, mashal, which parable is used to translate, has a wider significance, and is applied to the balanced metrical form in which teaching is conveyed in the poetical books of the Old Testament. See Matt. 13:35.

(3) Interpretation of parables. It is important to distinguish between the interpretation of a parable and the application of a parable. The only true interpretation is the meaning the parable conveyed, or was meant to convey, when first spoken. The application of a parable may vary in every age and circumstance. But if the original meaning is to be grasped, it is important to consider its context and setting. The thought to which it is linked, the connection in which it is placed, the persons to whom it is addressed, all give the clue to the right interpretation. Other rules of interpretation are: (a) Do not force a meaning on subordinate incidents. (b) Do not regard as parallel parables that are connected by superficial likeness of imagery. (c) Bear in mind that the same illustration does not always have the same significance—leaven, e.g., signifies a principle of good as well as a principle of evil. (d) Remember that the comparison in a parable is not complete, does not touch at every point. Thus, the characters of the unjust judge or the unjust steward or the nobleman who went into a far country—possibly referring to the infamous Archelaus—do not concern the interpretation of the parable. The parable draws a picture of life as it is, not as it ought to be, and compares certain points in this picture with heavenly doctrine. (e) Observe the proper proportions of a parable, and do not make the episode more prominent than the main line of teaching.

(4) Classification of parables. The greatest importance should be attached to the grouping of the parables by the writers themselves. In Matthew three main lines of teaching are illustrated by parables: (a) The Church of the future—its planting and growth, internal and external, the enthusiasm for it, the mingling within it of good and evil, the final judgment of it (ch. 13). (b) The Jewish Church and nation, its history, and the causes of its fall (21:18–19, 23–22:14). (c) The ministry of the Church in the parables given on the Mount of Olives, addressed especially to the apostles, on work and watchfulness (25:1–30). The parable of the laborers in the vineyard (19:30–20:16), in answer to a question of the apostles, may be classed under (a).

Mark follows the lines of Matthew in (a) 4:1–34, and (b) 12:1–12; but in each division fewer parables are reported, and in (b) one only. In (a), however, occurs the one parable peculiar to this Gospel.

Luke also omits the parables given on the Mount of Olives (c), but compares 12:35–48, 19:11–28, and illustrates (a) and (b) less copiously than Matthew. His independent reports, however, are numerous. These may be classified generally as illustrating: (1) Prayer and earnestness in religious life (11:5–8; 16:1–13; 18:1–8). (2) Forgiveness and the love of God (7:41–43; 15). (3) Reversal of human judgment, as to just and unjust (10:25–27; 12:16–21; 18:9–14); rich and poor (16:19–31).

John has no true parables, but presents two allegories: the good shepherd (10:1–16), and the vine and the branches (15:1–7).

Matthew. 1. The tares. 2. The hidden treasure. 3. The pearl of great price. 4. The draw-net. 5. The unmerciful servant. 6. The laborers in the vineyard. 7. The two sons. 8. Marriage of the king’s son. 9. The ten virgins. 10. The talents. Mark. The seed growing secretly. Luke. 1. The two debtors. 2. The good Samaritan. 3. The importuned friend. 4. The rich fool. 5. The barren fig tree. 6. The lost piece of silver. 7. The prodigal son. 8. The unjust steward. 9. Dives and Lazarus. 10. The unjust judge. 11. The Pharisee and the Publican. 12. The ten pieces of money.
The parable of the ten pieces of money (minae) (Luke 19:11–27) is an interesting example of historical groundwork in a parable. (The reference is possibly to the journey of Archelaus to Rome.) But probably in other parables similar historical allusions, now lost, must have added vividness to the narrative. Of these the royal marriage feast, the great supper, and the good Samaritan are possible examples.

Reading Assignment for Lesson 11 - Sunday, March 27th, 2011 - Parables

"Lesson 11: “He Spake Many Things unto Them in Parables”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

Matthew 13

• What is the meaning of the parable of the sower? (See Matthew 13:3–8, 18–23.)

Why do you think the parable focuses more on the ground than on the sower or the seed?

• What invitation did Jesus extend after he presented the parable of the sower? (See Matthew 13:9.) What do you think the word hear means in this invitation?

What does it mean to see but see not and to hear but hear not? (See Matthew 13:13–15.)

• The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven are about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 98–100). How have you seen the work of God increase as illustrated by these parables?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Obtain 14 small pieces of paper. On each piece of paper write one of the following phrases, which relate to the parable of the wheat and the tares: (1) the sower, (2) the Lord and his Apostles, (3) the good seed, (4) the righteous members of the Church, (5) the field, (6) the world, (7) the tares, (8) the wicked, (9) the enemy, (10) the devil, (11) the harvest, (12) the end of the world, (13) the reapers, and (14) the angels.

To review the parable of the wheat and the tares, mix the pieces of paper. Have family members match the persons, objects, and actions in the parable with their meanings. You may want to read Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 and Doctrine and Covenants 86:1–7 as you conduct this discussion.

Scripture Chain: “Ears to Hear”

Matthew 13:9–16

Mosiah 2:9

Alma 10:2–6

Alma 12:9–11