Interpretation Methodology

1. Read the story. Read it carefully, paying attention to every word and detail.
2. Find what the parable addresses. Determine what issue Jesus is trying to confront. Use any knowledge you have about ancient Israel, combined with the details expressed in the story to put it into context.
3. Find out who the audience of the parable is. Ask yourself why Jesus would tell this parable to this particular audience, and whay he tells this specific story to them.
4. Decide who the main character is in the parable. Find out who or what he/it represents based on what you know already. Make sure that the character changes throughout the course of the story.
5. Determine if Jesus is criticizing the character's behavior or promoting it. Ask yourself why Jesus is doing this, and why he expresses his beliefs mainly through this character.
6. Placing the story into context, ask questions regarding every character's behavior. Determine why the characters act the way they do.
7. Finally, based on what you found out about the parable using the above steps, determine the purpose of the parable, and what it has to do with the Kingdom of God.