Outline
- Opening prayer
- Highlights from last week
- Introduction to The Two Sons
- Read Matthew 21:28-32
- Complete the lesson in Copeland’s guide[1]
- Closing prayer
Opening Prayer
Merciful Lord, the Comforter and Teacher of your faithful people, increase in your Church the desires which you have given, and confirm the hearts of those who hope in you by enabling them to understand the depth of your promises, that all your adopted sons and daughters may even now behold, with the eyes of faith, and patiently wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Adapted from an early church prayer for trust and fuller knowledge by Ambrose of Milan.[2]
Highlights From Last Time
- The last parable we studied was The Laborers in the Vineyard, where we learned that God continually seeks those to work in His Kingdom.
- God’s reward, eternal life, is bestowed by His grace and not by our works.
- The reward is given to all workers in God’s Kingdom, whether one comes at an early or late age.
Introduction to The Two Sons
This is a parable about repentance, and is sometimes confused with another parable, The Prodigal Son. This parable is about a man with two sons who requests that both of them work in his vineyard. Jesus is directing this parable to the Pharisees, who have just challenged His authority.
Read the introductions in Booth’s and Webb’s guides.
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Two Sons?
Application
Complete the lesson on page 44 of Copeland’s guide and read page 72 of Booth’s guide.
Closing Prayer
O Lord God, Who has taught us to pray all together, and has promised to hear the united voices of two or three invoking your Name; hear now, O Lord, the prayers of your servants unto their salvation, and give us in this world knowledge of your Truth, and in the world to come life everlasting; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Adapted from an early church prayer for those gathered in worship from Armenian Liturgy[3]
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