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Session 2Jesus the story teller

Opening discussionCan you think of a time when you were surprised by someones generosity? How did you feel?Are there things in life that make you say, thats not fair?

Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.(Robert McKee)The Power of StoriesJesus used simple stories to communicate big truths about God and life in Gods kingdom.

A Surprising story of GenerosityJesus takes a familiar scene, tells a story, but adds a big surprise to make people thinkJesus uses the power of story to help us think about how generous God is towards people like us

Matthew 20:1-16 is where we find our story

Scene 1: the market-squareV1-2 6am Workers hired and agree usual wage for a day-labourerV3-4 9am Workers hired again, not told wageV5 12pm & 3pm Hires still more workersV6-7 5pm Last group hired at very end of the day, simply because no one else had hired them

Scene 2: the vineyardV8-15 6pm End of day, payment timeV9 Big surprise! Full days pay for very little workV10 Big disappointment! First group receive what was agreed, but expected a big bonusV11-12 Complaint we worked hard so we deserve more (thats not fair!!)

Scene 2: the vineyardV13-15 Landowner responds: I have been fair to you; I have the right to be very generous if I want to; You should be glad for those other workersV16 End of the story Jesus teaches that life in Gods kingdom does not follow the usual rules

A Surprising story of Generosity2 Big surprises are added into this story by Jesus to make his point:

A. The recruitment policy of the landlord he is more concerned for generosity than profit or efficiency

B. The payment process of the landlord he wants everyone to see his generosityand to celebrate it

God is like the generous landownerHe is looking for people to show his generosity to (are we looking to receive it?)

He is willing to show generosity to people who dont deserve it (can we be humble to accept it?)

He wants everyone to know he is full of love and generosity (have we seen that?)

He wants his generosity to be celebrated (has that changed our lives?)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life(John 3:16)

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)The Ultimate Story of Gods generosity

(If you want to do some more reading on Jesus and his stories, read Matthew chapter 13)Ideas for prayer:Thank God for being so generous in sending Jesus to die for sinnersAsk God for help to show generosity to other people