Parables

As explained in the Storymakers booklet, one of the things we are aiming to do over the next 12-18 months is produce a few short films which tell the story of Jesus in imaginative, creative and hope-filled ways.

As a basis for some of these films, we are going to use the Parables which Jesus used to explain the kingdom and character of God.

In the middle of May we launched a 1 month deep-dive into the parables, seeking to learn about them, their craft, their structure, their power and their provocative brilliance. A few of us gathered at Drakes Mews and have committed to spending a month learning, before reconvening on the 23rd June to share what we have learnt.

"the term parable comes from the Greek para 'along side, together with', as in parallel or paradox, and balo, 'to cast', 'to throw' - we need to understand the nuances of each side of the equation"

Have a look through some of the quotes, questions and sources of inspiration below and then join us on the quest. Dive into the Bible, seek new angles of explanation, read books, ask wise guides, listen to podcasts, dive down YouTube rabbit holes…and see what you learn.

Together we are seeking to throw light onto the stories Jesus tells in a way which illuminates the same timeless truths in new, fresh ways.

We might be better off thinking less about what they (the parables) "mean" and more about what they can "do": remind, provoke, refine, confront, disturb...

"Down through the centuries, starting with the gospel writers themselves, the parables have been allegorised, moralised, christologised, and otherwise tamed into either platitudes such as "God loves us" or "be nice" or, worse, assurances that all is right with the world as long as we believe in Jesus. Too often we settle for easy interpretations: we should be nice like the good Samaritan; we will be forgiven, as was the prodigal son; we should pray and not lose heart like the importuning widow. When we seek universal morals from a genre that is designed to surprise, challenge, shake-up, or indict and look for a single meaning in a form that opens to multiple interpretations, we are necessarily limiting the parables, and, so, ourselves."

Questions to Consider

What was the question, itch or desire which initiated a story in reposes from Jesus?

What was the story and what did it illuminate?

How does this same question, itch or desires find expression in our culture today?

What might be a contemporary illustration of the same truth Jesus was teaching?

Inspiration

Years ago a man named Rob made a load of films about the stories and truths of Jesus. He was (and still is) brilliant at "talking about the thing without talking about the thing". These might be good videos to watch as a mood-board reference point for the kind of thing we can create.

18 May 2026

About the author

Paul Oxley