Welcome to Week 3 of He Gave Us Stories. This time we have a unique presentation in which Jesus both tells the crowd a parable and tells his disciples the meaning of the parable.
As we study the Parable of the Sower, we will take each element of the parable and pair it with Jesus’ explanation of that element. Therefore, we won’t have to speculate on what he meant.
This week, as with last, we urge you to participate with the 21-day Pray First initiative through the YouVersion Bible app for your prayer time during personal worship. Our regular prayer guides will return once Pray First is over.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
The First Soil: No Soil at All
Observe
Some of the seed scattered by the sower never has a chance to grow.
Matthew 13:3-4
The Parable of the Sower
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.
Matthew 13:18-19
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
2 Corinthians 11:13-14
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
In those times, a farmer’s fields would be crisscrossed by paths, both to allow the farmer easy access to all parts of his fields without trampling any growing plants and also to segregate one type of planting from another. These paths were hard packed dirt and nothing could grow on them. When the word of the kingdom (the gospel) reaches some people, they simply do not understand it. Mark tells us Jesus said some birds ate the seed, Luke adds that it was trampled and then some birds ate it, but Matthew alone identifies who is behind the trampling and eating—the evil one. Our adversary, Satan, is actively working to keep the gospel away from people. When people don’t receive the gospel, but allow it to fall aside, Satan removes even that so they have no opportunity to pick it up.
- Do you agree with the idea that there is an adversary in the spiritual realm actively engaged in keeping the gospel away from people? If so, what makes you believe it’s true? If not, why do you have difficulty with it?
- What is the most effective thing you can do to see that the gospel does reach those who need to hear it?
In place of our usual prayer guides, we urge everyone to participate in the 21-day Pray First initiative. You can learn more about it and find the link to the online resources on our website at the link below.
Day 2
The Second Soil: Rocky Ground, Shallow Soil
Observe
Some seeds produce rapid, vigorous growth, but it’s not healthy growth and won’t survive.
Matthew 13:5-6
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.
Matthew 13:20-21
20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
Ephesians 2:4-7
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
True salvation occurs when someone called by God, prepared by the Holy Spirit, receives the good news of the gospel and turns away from themselves and toward God in faith. They are made alive together with Christ and are “seated with him in heavenly places,” so that in coming ages God’s immeasurable grace and kindness toward us will be displayed. It’s a two way street. God calls and we answer because he has made it possible for us to answer. The seeds that fall on the shallow soil over the rocky ground describe a different relationship to God. Because the soil is shallow, the plants push up quickly and seem to grow fast, but their life isn’t the life God creates in us. Furthermore, one guarantee we have is that our faith will be tested. Jesus says when those plants in the shallow soil are tested, they fall away. They were close, they tasted the goodness of God and the benefits of the covenant relationship, but in the end there was no root to anchor them.
- Are these “seeds in shallow soil” genuine Christians? Why, or why not?
- Jesus seems to guarantee that tribulation or persecution on account of the word will spring up. What trouble has come up to test your faith? How did you react?
In place of our usual prayer guides, we urge everyone to participate in the 21-day Pray First initiative. You can learn more about it and find the link to the online resources on our website at the link below.
Day 3
The Third Soil: Surrounded by Thorns
Observe
Some seeds fell among the thorns, creating competition between those thorns and the plants.
Matthew 13:7
7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Matthew 13:22
22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
John 15:1-8
I Am the True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Here Jesus describes those who receive the gospel and seem to grow for some time, perhaps even a long time, but never bear fruit. John chapter 15 says that branches attached to the true vine will either bear fruit or the vinedresser (God the Father) will remove and dispose of them. So what does it mean “to bear fruit?” Pastor Tom is fond of saying that it might be just a single shriveled-up raisin, but life that comes from God will always bear fruit. In this context, fruit takes many different forms. One example is where Paul in Galatians 5 describes the “fruit of the Spirit,” each of which is an element of character. Whatever form or amount your fruit-bearing may take, you cannot have genuine saving faith and have it make no difference in your life. And let’s be clear, Jesus is not saying earning money or being responsible for things in the world is bad, far from it! But Jesus is warning that if the pursuit of money or the discharge of worldly duties is what you live for, you’re being choked by thorns.
- In what way could riches be described as deceitful?
- Are those being depicted here genuine Christians? What leads you to your conclusion, pro or con?
In place of our usual prayer guides, we urge everyone to participate in the 21-day Pray First initiative. You can learn more about it and find the link to the online resources on our website at the link below.
Day 4
The Fourth Soil: Good Soil Bears Fruit
Observe
In the fourth and final example, Jesus describes healthy plants that bear fruit.
Matthew 13:8
8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:23
23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Luke 6:43-45
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
In this parable there is no difference in the seed or the sower. The variable in each situation is the soil. However, Jesus no doubt chose the example of a farmer’s field for a reason. A farmer selected his fields based on location, taking into account sun, shade, and water. After selecting a field, he would prepare it, which meant removing any rocks. Before any seed was planted, the soil would be tilled, removing anything that would inhibit the seed from taking root and growing (so, no thorns). In other words, the farmer would prepare the soil. Those who are able to receive the word and understand it are those whom God has prepared in advance to do so. Notice also that Jesus gives variable amounts of grain in his description. What manner of fruit we bear and how much of it there is, will vary for each of us. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
- Why should the variable outcomes based on soil be a comfort to the disciples then, and to us today?
- Why is it important that God prepares the soil? Why can’t we do it?
In place of our usual prayer guides, we urge everyone to participate in the 21-day Pray First initiative. You can learn more about it and find the link to the online resources on our website at the link below.
Day 5
Why Speak in Parables?
Observe
The disciples have some questions for Jesus.
Matthew 13:9-17
9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
The Purpose of the Parables
10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Jesus concluded the parable with a cryptic statement, “he who has ears, let him hear.” Of course those listening to him had ears, otherwise they could not have made out his words. Jesus used this phrase throughout the gospels, often in the form “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.” The disciples are curious as to why Jesus is speaking to the crowd in parables, and Jesus makes it clear that he does so because what he is saying is only intended for some of the people in his audience. Certainly the disciples are in that number, this much is plain. Could there have been some in the crowd who also had “ears to hear?” Perhaps. We’re not told one way or another. But we are told that the outcome is an answer to a prophecy from Isaiah, where the people have chosen not to see. Jesus now gives spiritual sight to the ones he calls, but to the children of Abraham not called, he offers only a mystery.
- Spiritual truths are understood by those who have been given understanding? That doesn’t seem fair. Why is it right for God to work this way?
- We benefit from seeing bits of ourselves in all four soils (the hard-packed soil of the path, the rocky ground, choking thorns, and good soil that yields fruit). Give some examples of these various “soils” from your life experiences.
In place of our usual prayer guides, we urge everyone to participate in the 21-day Pray First initiative. You can learn more about it and find the link to the online resources on our website at the link below.