St Alban’s Fulham - Sunday Service - 20 February, 2022 2 Samuel 12:1–18 | Nathan's Parable to David Parables: Ancient  Answers for Today’s Questions The most distinctive thing about Jesus as a teacher was his consistent and frequent use of parables. The word “parable” means something like “riddle”. Parables are figurative stories that draw on everyday imagery to make a point. Like a riddle, they often require the reader’s or hearer’s attention and consideration. As soon as you think you’ve “figured out” the meaning of a parable, you can be sure that you have missed something and must return to it with fresh eyes. This is why Jesus’s parables have retained their power over the centuries despite the changing times and cultures—they are new every morning and contain wisdom for every new generation. In this teaching series on parables we are not only seeking to draw attention to and explain some of Jesus’s parables, we are also seeking answers to contemporary issues like the climate crisis, economic distress, and issues surrounding justice. Obviously, the main points of these parables are restricted to their own time and context, but the thing about parables is that as soon as you think you understand them perfectly, some new meaning pops out and strikes you afresh. Our expectation is that these ancient parables from the Great Teacher may hold suggestions or even solutions for addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time.