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Each of us wants to be treated fairly and nothing gets our hackles up faster than sensing things are not fair. The parable we’re looking at today is a study in the power of perception—especially the perception that someone’s not getting their due. That’s one perspective. There’s always another. We’ll be looking at both as we dive into chapter 20.

  • Describe a time when you thought you were getting the short end of the stick. Why did you believe that? Now describe a time when you thought you got more than you had coming. What alerted you to your advantage? How did your feelings change, if at all, from the one time to the other?

  • What is your opinion about the perspective of the workers who are objecting to the payment scheme? Do they have a case? If so, what is it?

  • What things about God do you think Jesus wants us to discover in this parable? Consider all perspectives. Which things sound most like God to you? Why do you suppose that is?

Next Step: Jesus is presenting us with two ways of doing things: one system is where everything is weighed, measured, tallied and balanced—the other is about shocking and undeserved generosity. Which way do you prefer? In what ways can you be an emissary for God’s way of seeing things?

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