About 36

36 Parables helps you communicate Jesus’ words powerfully and creatively. Authentic, accurate, simply stated and profoundly moving, these short films connect in ways words alone cannot. Whether used as a part of a sermon or as a catalyst for discussion in study groups 36 Parables’ films are a cutting-edge teaching tool designed to Illuminate Understanding by entertaining and engaging the heart.

The Four Pillars of 36 Parables

1. We have a finite collection of parables

Once completed, 36 Parables will be a finite collection of 12 DVDs including 3 modern adaptations of Jesus' parables on each DVD. The scope of the series is by no means intended to be a definitive collection. For two millennia biblical scholars have debated how many parables Jesus told. This difference in opinion depends largely on how scholars choose to interpret the Hebrew word commonly translated as parable, "mashal". Though the Gospel writers and Jesus were speaking and writing in another language, when discussing parables they were referencing the richly defined word "mashal" found in the Hebrew scriptures of their day. In Hebrew "mashal" is defined as a riddle, taunt, dark saying, lesson or story. Like most Eastern languages, Hebrew contains words that are rich with meaning. Different scholars use different definitions, hence a different number of parables. We like 36.

2. Our films are narrative

36 Parables' films are a narrative account of connected events. Simply put, each short film is a story. A story is any account of connected events centered on a conflict that is resolved, leaving something or someone absolutely and irreversibly changed. Jesus' parables often leave readers with an absolute change they might not like. Nonetheless, a conflict is resolved and irreversible change is the result. A perfect example is "The Parable of The Rich Fool" (Luke 12:16-21), summed up in one sentence:

The man who has it all dies.

An absolute and irreversible change for sure. In "A Few Weeks Later" we explore how the spouse of the rich fool may have dealt with their loved one's mountain of possessions once confronted by the enormity of death.

3. Our films are descriptive, not prescriptive

We produce descriptive films, intended to cause the viewer to engage with the story and ask questions. Robert Farrar Capon’s Kingdom, Grace, Judgment discusses this subject:

"‘For to him who has, more will be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away' (Matthew 13:12). This seems to me to be one of those hard sayings of Jesus that cries out, not for a prescriptive interpretation, but for a descriptive one. Jesus, though he could be taken as issuing a statement about what God will do to reward or punish those who hear the parables, seems to be more reasonably understood as giving a description of the way things are."

4. Our films point back to scripture.

Jesus told many parables. We are adapting 36 of them. We do not intend our collection to replace scripture, merely to pay homage to the master storyteller by adapting the tales He shared while He was here on earth as a man. Each DVD easily provides a youth group, small group or other ministry meeting with 5 weeks of content. Here are the keys to getting the most from each 36 Parables DVD:

Pray - Ask for the Lord to speak to you during your group time.

Watch - Watch one of the short films.

Read - Read the passages of scripture that relates to the parable you just watched in the Gospels.

Discuss - Discuss the stories, the scripture passages, and be sure to download the bible study to help guide your discussion. (look for the download bible study button in the top right corner of the web page)

Repeat - Repeat the next time you meet by watching a different parable. Be sure to use the Why Parables? Documentary and Behind the Scenes Video found on each DVD to take the learning deeper.

"With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything."
Mark 4:33-34

Remember, at the end of story is the beginning of a relationship with the storyteller.

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