Sermon Discussion Guide – October 27, 2013
Sermon Title / “The Need for Good Soil”Scripture / Luke 8.4-15
Key Verse(s):But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.–Luke 8.15 (NIV)
Summary: As we learn about the seeds we are sowing throughout our lives, we need to be mindful of what seeds God is calling us to sow. As followers of Christ, we anticipate the Holy Spirit to do some “plowing” in our hearts so that we have God’s heart for people and see them through the lens of the Holy Spirit. In order for our own lives to be seedbeds of growth, we must have “good soil”, meaning our hearts must be open to receiving God’s word, and our ears must be attentive to His call, whatever that may be.
Discussion Starters: Take a minute to think about what kinds of seeds you have sown this week. Have you sown seeds of generosity? Patience? Anger? Encouragement? Don’t let this be self-deprecating; you are merely evaluating, remembering that God uses us as His instruments, even in spite of ourselves sometimes!
Read and Discuss
Unless otherwise noted, scriptures have been researched and referenced based on the New International Version (NIV); however any translation is perfectly acceptable to use for discussion.
Luke 8.13–There is a lot to digest in this parable, so let’s break down a couple pieces of it. Have you ever felt like the seed in verse 13? Read Psalm 119.11and Galatians 6.9. Being a follower of Jesus – in good times and bad times – is not always easy. We are not sinning if we feel discouraged – this is a normal, expected part of our walk with Jesus. But how can we avoid becoming stuck in discouragement,like the seed that fell on rocky ground?
Luke 8.14 – Have you ever felt like the seed that fell among thorns? What kinds of thorns have choked your zeal for following Jesus? Read Matthew 6.19-21 & 25-34 and Romans 12.2. In order to cultivate good soil so that we may grow, we must not be bogged down by worldly pleasures and worries. Hear this: some worldly pleasures are good and healthy, and some worries are very legitimate! However, how do you avoid being choked by these things, which will inevitably come between you and God?
Mark 1.16-20 –When Jesus called these disciples, amazingly they followed Him, without hesitation! As we grow as Jesus’ disciples, He continues to “plow” our hearts and often call us out of our comfort zones. When God calls us to do these things, He equips us with strength to perform these tasks. For example, Pastor Holley, one of our former pastors, often spoke about herself as an introvert. Before being called to the ministry, she hated speaking in front of people. Without the Holy Spirit’s strength within her, by her own admission, she would never be able to preach in front of others, as just does today. How have you experienced or witnessed God’s call and equipping like this before?
Prayer: God, thank you for plowing our hearts so that we might cultivate good soil for your word to grow in our lives. Help us also to sow good seeds into others, as you call us to. Amen.