13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Mark 4:13-20
Q & A：
- Explain the analogy of the seed and the soil, and the implication of accepting the word of God in our lives through listening, accepting, bearing fruit and multiplying. What can we do when we hear the preaching of the word or read God’s word in order to help it to grow in our hearts and take root in our lives? (Mark 4:13-20; Rom 10:17)
- When doubt or unbelief arise in your walk with the Lord, what are some scriptures that help to substantiate the truth about the assurance of your salvation as the seed that has been sown into your heart? What are the trickeries of the devil to steal the seed (word of God) from us? (Rom 10:9-11; John 1:12; Eph 1:13-14; Eph 2:8-9; John 10:10; Eph 6:16)
- Knowing that the devil can steal the seed (word of God) easily, unless the seed has grown in our hearts, germinated to taken root in our lives and developed into a conviction as a grown tree, discuss how are we expected to react by faith or fight against the devil with the weapon and armor of God? (Heb 11:1, 6)