Sermon Notes
The Barren Fig Tree
THE PARABLES OF JESUS – Part 10
November 1, 2026
6Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Luke 13:6-9
Some Things We See in the Parable
1. The Judgement of God
Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
Luke 13:7b
2. The Patience of God
“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year…
Luke 13:8a
3. The Care of God
…I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.
Luke 13:8b
Small Group Discussion Questions for the Week of November 1, 2026.
Opening
1. What have been some of your frustrating experiences with gardening?
Digging Deeper into the Scriptures
Read Luke 13:6-9
1. In Scripture, a vineyard or a fig tree often carries symbolic meaning. What are the main elements in the parable
and what might each represent?
2. The passage with this parable comes right after a passage about 2 tragic incidents (see vv. 1-5). Why did Jesus
tell the fig tree parable after discussing the two tragedies?
3. The owner came seeking fruit for three years but found none. What kind of "fruit" is God looking for in our
lives? (See Gal 5:22-23 and Matthew 3:8)
4. The one who cared for the vineyard pleads to leave the tree alone for one more year so he can cultivate and
fertilize it. How does this request reflect the patience and mercy of God?
5. What spiritual principle(s) does this parable teach?
Applying the Scriptures
1. How might suffering help to create fruit bearing in our lives? (See Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4)
Does this speak to or inform how you would walk with someone through their suffering? Explain.
2. If you had “one more year” like the fig tree, what would you do? What “fruit” do you want to be producing by
this time next year?