SHORT STORIES BY JESUS LEADER GUIDE : the enigmatic parables of a controversial rabbi

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives. In Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us-and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options. The Renowned Biblical Scholar, Author Of The Misunderstood Jew And General Editor For The Jewish Annotated New Testament, Interweaves History And Spiritual Analysis To Explore Jesus' Most Popular Teaching Parables, Exposing Their Misinterpretations And Making Them Lively And Relevant For Modern Readers. Jesus Was A Skilled Storyteller And Perceptive Teacher Who Used Parables From Everyday Life To Effectively Convey His Message And Meaning. Life In First-century Palestine Was Very Different From Our World Today, And Many Traditional Interpretations Of Jesus' Stories Ignore This Disparity And Have Often Allowed Anti-semitism And Misogyny To Color Their Perspectives. In This Wise, Entertaining, And Educational Book, Amy-jill Levine Offers A Fresh, Timely Reinterpretation Of Jesus' Narratives. In Short Stories By Jesus, She Analyzes These Problems With Parables, Taking Readers Back In Time To Understand How Their Original Jewish Audience Understood Them. Levine Reveals The Parables' Connections To First-century Economic And Agricultural Life, Social Customs And Morality, Jewish Scriptures And Roman Culture. With This Revitalized Understanding, She Interprets These Moving Stories For The Contemporary Reader, Showing How The Parables Are Not Just About Jesus, But Are Also About Us -- And When Read Rightly, Still Challenge And Provoke Us Two Thousand Years Later. Introduction: How We Domesticate Jesus's Provocative Stories -- Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son -- The Good Samaritan -- The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like Yeast -- The Pearl Of Great Price -- The Mustard Seed -- The Pharisee And The Tax Collector -- The Laborers In The Vineyard -- The Widow And The Judge -- The Rich Man And Lazarus -- Conclusion: The Power Of Disturbing Stories. Amy-jill Levine. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [287]-308) And Index.

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives.


In Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us—and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later.


The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives.


In this Bible study based on her Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us—and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later.


This participant guide provides an introduction to the main text as well as further Scripture commentary and reflection questions.

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives. In this Bible study based on her Short Stories by Jesus , Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us—and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later. This participant guide provides an introduction to the main text as well as further Scripture commentary and reflection questions. "In Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us--and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later. The six-session DVD features Amy-Jill Levine offering a fresh, timely reinterpretation of Jesus' narratives. The video segments are approximately 10-12 minutes each and, when combined with the six book chapters, make an ideal six-week group study. All videos sessions are closed captioned." -- provided by publisher This Leader Guide is for adults leading groups who are studying Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine. Each session in this Leader Guide includes: stated objectives; a personal prayer of preparation and tips for leader preparation; an opening activity or discussion related to the themes of the session; a series of questions designed to engage participants with the parable, related Scripture, and Levine's book; opening and closing prayers