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And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. 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. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 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. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 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. 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 (NKJV)
CG Discussion Questions:
1. What are the cares of the world, the influence of the deceitfulness of riches, or the desire of other things in your life that can choke and suffocate the word? What can we do to ensure the word of God will not be choked by and become unfruitful?
(Mark 4:18-19)
2. Discuss how you may have dealt with the cares and anxieties by meditating on the word of the truth so the peace of God that guards your heart and mind will remain with you? Explain why putting our trust and chasing after the riches should not be the top priority in our lives and what negative impact does this have on us, our values and principles?
(Matthew 7:11; Deuteronomy 8:18; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 2:16-17)
3. Do you believe the source of your blessings and provision is God or on your own strength and explain what it means for you to honor the Lord with your possessions? Discuss the lessons that you have learnt regarding the soil and harvest where the seed is used as analogy in both the parable of the Sower and the teaching on sowing and reaping.
(Proverbs 10:22; Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Luke 6:38; Proverbs 11:24-25)