Jesus Tells Parables (Mark 4) – Lesson 5

Jan Skaggs and Lynn Adams explore why Jesus shifts to parables in Mark 4—and how these deceptively simple stories invite “heart, not head” understanding. Jan explains what a parable is (a story set alongside the kingdom for clarity), why Jesus speaks of insiders and outsiders, and how listening with open hearts reorders our lives around kingdom priorities. In a twist, Jan challenges listeners to sit with the parables themselves this week—leaning on the Holy Spirit and small-group community rather than a guided teaching. The conversation then turns to the storm on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus’ authority over wind and wave leads into a practical “storm theology”: turn to Christ in the chaos, remember He’s in the boat, and practice trust—with journaled reminders and a simple, embodied prayer of open hands.