Penasquitos Stake Institute

The Unprofitable Servant  

The Wedding Guests

 

Luke 17:7-10

Luke 14:7-11

 

Study Guide

 

1. Read Luke 17:3-6. What principle of the gospel were Jesus and his disciples discussing prior to the telling of the parable of the unprofitable servant? What request from his disciples prompted this parable?

 

 

 

2. Read Luke 17:7-8. In the parable of the unprofitable servant, Jesus invited his listeners to imagine themselves a master who had his own servant. If you hired someone to work for you all day, would you invite him to sit down and eat or expect him to finish the work for which he had been hired?

 

 

 

3. Read Luke 17:9-10. Why would the master not thank his servant? How does this parable apply to the disciples' request in Luke 17:5?

 

Extra credit reading: Mosiah 2:21-24.

 

 

4. Read Luke 14:7-9. NOTE: The sabbath at Jesus' time was a day used by the rabbis for social entertainment. Often their homes had a room with a higher floor (a "chief room") in which guests of honor were seated; those of less honor would be assigned a place on the lower floor, nearest the door. On this occasion, Jesus noted how the guests seated themselves, then spoke the parable. Why did Jesus suggest wedding guests NOT select a seat in the highest room?

 

 

 

5. Read Luke 14:10. According to Jesus, what is the advantage in taking the most humble seat available?

 

 

 

6. Read Luke 14:11. What do you think the Savior meant when he said, "Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted"?

 

 

 

7. This parable is also known as "the parable of the chief seats." What gospel principle is Jesus teaching in this parable? Why is it critical to our salvation?