THE SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL SERIES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 5, 1902

THE SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL SERIES

NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.

LESSON 7.—FEBRUARY 15.—THE TWO SONS.

Aid.—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” pp. 272-283.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 21: 28-32, R.V.

28 “But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in the vineyard. 29 And he answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented himself, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir; and went not. 31 Whether of the twain did the will of his father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him; and ye, when ye saw it, did not even repent yourselves afterward, that ye might believe him.”

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

To whom was the parable of the two sons addressed?
Where was it spoken?
State the circumstances which led up to it.
What three persons are mentioned in the parable?
Whom do they represent?
What intimate relation is thus expressed?
What is the vineyard?
What request did the father make of his elder son?
Give his reply.
What did the son afterward do?
What was said to the second son?
How did he appear to receive the command?
What course did he then take?
What pointed question did Jesus immediately ask His hearers?
How does their reply show that they missed the real meaning of the parable?
With what words did Jesus force the lesson home?
What application has this parable for the church to-day?

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY.

What great examples of activity are set before the Christian? John 5: 17. Why is a mere profession of willingness to enter God’s work not sufficient? James 1: 22-25; Matt. 7: 21; Eph. 2: 10. How only can acceptable service be rendered? John 15: 5.
What is the great test of loyalty to God? John 14: 15. Who is the Christian’s example in obedience? John 15: 10; 4: 34; Ps. 40: 8.
Why did Jesus especially warn His disciples against following the example of the Pharisees? Matt. 23: 3. What alone gives value to one’s profession? James 2: 14-18.
When should the call to service be answered? Heb. 3: 15. How long is the field to be occupied? Luke 19: 13. What grave danger lies in delay? John 9: 4.

LESSON 8.—FEBRUARY 22.—PARABLE OF THE LORD’S VINEYARD.

Aid.—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” pp. 284-306.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 21: 33-44, R.V.

33 “Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, which planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. 34 And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first; and they did unto them in like manner. 37 But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. 39 And they took him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.”

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

With what parable did Jesus continue His teaching in the temple?
Upon what was this lesson based?

Who is the householder mentioned in the parable?
By what were His people of Israel represented?
What returns from his vineyard had the householder a right to expect?
When the time of fruit drew near, what did he do?
How were these servants received?
When other servants were sent to the husbandmen, how were they also treated?
Last of all, whom did the householder send?
What did he say?
What treatment did the son receive?
When the narrative was finished, what question did Jesus ask His hearers?
With what words did they condemn themselves?
What solemn sentence did Jesus then pronounce upon them?
Who is the Stone brought to view in verse 42?
What were the priests and rulers even then doing?
Repeat the Saviour’s description of this Stone.
Show how this description contained an invitation of mercy to all who would yet escape the doom of the unfaithful husbandmen.
What lessons does the parable of the vineyard contain for the church to-day?

FOR FURTHER STUDY.

The planting of the vineyard; God’s purpose concerning it; its failure to fulfil that purpose; and the judgment pronounced upon it. Isa. 5: 1-7; 27: 3; Jer. 2: 21; Hosea 10: 1.
Israel’s treatment of the servants of God. Matt. 5: 12; Acts 7: 51, 52; Heb. 11: 32-38.
Their rejection of the Son. John 18: 38-40; 19: 4-12, 15-18.
The Stone rejected by the builders. Isa. 28: 16; 1 Cor. 3: 11; 1 Peter 2: 3-8.
Lessons for the church to-day:—

(a) The price paid for it. Acts 20: 28. (b) Its commission and high calling. Matt. 5: 14-16; 28: 19, 20; 1 Peter 2: 9, 10. (c) To bring forth fruit. John 15: 16. (d) Its danger when the coming of the Householder is near. Luke 21: 34; 2 Tim. 4: 3, 4.