Seeds and Soils

(Back to Study Home Page)   Sermon February 15, 2004
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February 15, 2004 - Matthew 13.3b-9, 18-23

Open It

  1. When was the last time you "tuned out" a speaker?

  2. What are some spiritual clichés or religious catch-phrases that people often use?

  3. What misconceptions do non-Christians have about Christianity?

Explore It

  1. What kind of stories did Jesus use to teach the crowds? (13:3)

  2. The first story that Jesus told His audience was about what? (13:3)

  3. Into what various places did the seed fall? (13:4-5)

  4. Which seed ended up sprouting and bearing fruit? Why? (13:8)

  5. To whom did Jesus direct His story about the four soils? (13:9)

  6. Whom did Jesus liken to seed along the path? Why? (13:19)

  7. According to Christ, who is like the seed sown on rocky soil? Why? (13:20-21)

  8. What kind of people were compared to seed sown among the thorns? Why? (13:22)

  9. Of whom is the fruitful seed a picture? How? (13:23)

Get It

  1. How do stories and illustrations help us to understand more clearly the message of the Bible?

  2. What kind of soil would you say you are at this point in your life?

  3. What are some thorns that tend to choke out your Christian faith?

  4. What circumstances have a tendency to scorch your faith and cause it to wither?

  5. How long did it take for you to understand the gospel of Christ?

  6. How could you listen more faithfully and intently to the voice of God?

Apply It

  1. What one action could you do this week to improve the way you listen to God's Word?

  2. How can you show gratitude to God today for opening your eyes to the truth of the gospel?

NOTES

Matthew 13:2-3: Jesus used many illustrations, or parables, when speaking to the crowds. A parable compares something familiar to something unfamiliar. It helps us understand spiritual truth by using everyday objects and relationships. Parables compel listeners to discover truth, while at the same time concealing the truth from those too lazy or too stubborn to see it. To those who are honestly searching, the truth becomes clear. We must be careful not to read too much into parables, forcing them to say what they don't mean. All parables have one meaning unless otherwise specified by Jesus.

Matthew 13:8: This parable should encourage spiritual "sowers"-those who teach, preach, and lead others. The farmer sowed good seed, but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying yields. Don't be discouraged if you do not always see results as you faithfully teach the Word. Belief cannot be forced to follow a mathematical formula (i.e., a Matthew 4:1 ratio of seeds planted to seeds sprouted). Rather, it is a miracle of God's Holy Spirit as he uses your words to lead others to him.

Matthew 13:9: Human ears hear many sounds, but there is a deeper kind of listening that results in spiritual understanding. If you honestly seek God's will, you have spiritual hearing, and these parables will give you new perspectives.

Matthew 13:22: How easy it is to agree with Christ with no intention of obeying. It is easy to denounce worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth, and still do nothing to change our ways. In light of eternal life with God, are your present worries justified? If you had everything you could want but forfeited eternal life with God, would those things be so desirable?

Matthew 13:23: The four types of soil represent different responses to God's message. People respond differently because they are in different states of readiness. Some are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries, and some are receptive. It depends on what kind of soil you are.

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