Parables, Parable of the Sower

The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:1-23
If you had 4 containers: 1 with rocks, 1 with briar's or weeds, 1 empty, and 1 with potting soil. If you were going to plant seeds in one of them, which one would you choose?

Intro:
Ask the people to plant their seeds in one of the containers?
1) Why did you choose that container?
2) How will the seed respond to the empty container?
3) How will the seed respond to the one with rocks?
4) How will the seed respond to the one with briar's?
5) How will the seed respond to the one with potting soil?

1) What is a parable? (Short story to get the point across)

Matthew 13:1-3
1) What motivated these people to swarm to Jesus?
2) What do people gather to hear or see today? (Self-Help messages, Political topics, and Social issues.)
3) What draws people to these settings?
4) What motivates people to listen to the gospel now?


Matthew 13:4-7,18-22
People respond to Jesus in different ways. Just as the seed responds to different types of soil.

List 3 inadequate responses to Jesus' message of the kingdom in these verses under the following headings.


1) Evil one snatches away
pride
false friends
greed
callused attitude
envy
2) No roots
follower
new/weak christian
quick answers
3) Worries/Wealth choke
strong sources
rich
pride
conviction
pre-occupation

Matthew 13:8,23
It is important to have rich soil if a seed is going to grow and be fruitful.
1) Why is soil so important? (Soil provides nutrients, facilitates root growth, protects the roots.)
2) What are some preparations needed to have good soil? (Fertilizer, compost, cultivation, weeds pulled, crop rotation.)


Good soil- Life of a person who heard and understood the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.


Just like preparing for a heavy crop, we need to prepare (hear and understand) the message of the Kingdom of Heaven, to prepare our lives to be good soil.

3) What things must happen in a person's life for that person to hear and understand? ( Bible study, worship attendance/participation, prayer, spiritual warfare, relationships with other Christians for fellowship and accountability.)
4) What is the fruit Christians should bear? (Another christian)
Galatians 5:22-23
Character qualities every christian should manifest as he or she grows in Christ.


Matthew 13:9
"He who has ears let him hear."
1) What did Jesus mean?
2) What does it mean to be accountable to respond to the message?
Joe was arranging folding chairs in the auditorium, he noticed a woman sitting nearby and asked her to give him a hand. The woman nodded and smiled, but made no move to help him. Joe asked again, but the woman responded as before. Finally, Joe gave up and continued the job himself. Later someone else entered the room and began speaking to the woman in fluent Spanish.
The point is: People hear the gospel-they listen, but without understanding. We need to pray that they would hear the gospel, will do so with understanding and respond with faith.


*Challenge for the Week*
Look at the 3 columns, which area do you/we need to work on.

For more info visit these links:
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/index.php?action=getCommentaryText&cid=1&source=1&seq=i.47.13.3

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/index.php?action=getCommentaryText&cid=1&source=1&seq=i.47.13.4