Parable of the Popcorn

1. Parable of the Popcorn A new way of looking at popcorn.

2. Do You Like Popcorn? • Yes! Or • No?

3. How do you make popcorn? • Do you use a microwave?

4. Does your popcorn look like this?

5. There are several ways to make popcorn. • Here is an old step-by-step way of doing it: • http://www.recipegirl.com/2011/10/13/how-to-pop-popcorn-on-the-stove/ • Here is a fun video clip on how to make stove popcorn. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6BX_CJ6-U&feature=fvwp&NR=1

6. Kernels pop differently.

7. Some Kernels Pop and Some Don’t.

8. We like the fluffy kind!

9. Directions for reading the parable • Read the parable quietly to yourself. • As you read quietly, highlight unfamiliar words. • Write down questions that you may have about the parable. • Next, the class will read the parable aloud. • Volunteer to read a sentence or two.

10. “The Parable of the POPCORN” • As you read this parable, HIGHLIGHT unfamiliar words. • Write down three to five questions that you may have in your journal (REQUIRED for class work grade). • Be prepared to ask/share your questions in a class discussion.

11. Read Together Behold at the time of the harvest, the ears of corn did bring forth kernels, which we dried and prepared for the popper’s hand. And then it was that the popper did take the kernels, all of which appeared alike unto him, and did apply the oil and the heat. And it came to pass that when the heat was on, some did explode with promise and did magnify themselves a hundred fold, and some did burst forth with whiteness, which did both gladden the eye and satisfy the taste of the popper. And likewise, some others did pop, but not too much.

12. Read Together But lo, there were some that did just lie there and even though the poppers heat was alike unto all, they did bask in the warmth of the oil and kept everything they had for themselves. And so it came to pass that those which had given of themselves did bring joy and delight to many munchers, but those which kept of the warmth and did not burst forth were fit only to be cast out into the pail and were thought of with hardness and disgust… And thus we see that in the beginning all appear alike, but when the heat is on, some come forth and give their all, while others fail to pop and become as chaff to be discarded and forgotten. Each day we find ourselves faced with the decision of how to perform. When the heat is on, we can give out all and feel fulfillment, or choose to hold back and feel regret. The choice is ours each day. How you “pop” determines where you end up in the bowl. (Based on the parable of the Sower)

13. In your Journals you should: • Define “parable” --a story often in prose or verse that illustrates instructive principles or lessons often told as an analogy • Write down words unfamiliar to you • Write down your questions? (Share them during the discussion.) Leave space for answers. • Write answers to your questions as we discuss them. • Write down lines, words, or phrases that have meaning to you (Required to have at least 1) • Write the line that shares the meaning of the parable.

14. Answer the following questions in your journal. • How does the author use an analogy to illustrate a life lesson? • Trace the significance of the word “heat” used throughout the parable? What does “heat” refer to as part of the author’s life lesson? • Explain the meaning behind the last line of the parable: “How you ‘pop’ determines where you end up in the bowl?” • How do you see yourself in this parable? How does this idea change your attitude towards life? **Exit ticket question**