Mark 4:1-20

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Parable of the Sower

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BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Lord taught in parables to reveal and conceal truth.

  2. The different soils represent different conditions and responses of the human heart to the Word of God.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Watch out for the three big fruit reducers.
    A. Cares or worries / anxieties.
    B. Deceitfulness of riches / love of money.
    C. Desire for other things (worldly things).

QUESTIONS

  1. What is a parable? What is the purpose of teaching in parables?

  2. Why didn't the sower make sure that the seed was sown on good ground?

  3. Where is the "mystery" found in the Bible?

  4. Is the kingdom of God here now?

  5. Why did the Lord rebuke the disciples?

  6. In the parable of the sower, tell what each of these soils represent:

    a. Hard wayside soil

    b. Rocky soil

    c. Thorny soil

    d. Good ground

ANSWERS

  1. A parable is a common, earthly story that has a hidden or spiritual meaning. Its purpose is to both reveal and conceal truth (Mark 4:11). Jesus revealed truth to His followers and concealed truth to unbelievers. See Isaiah 6:9-10.

  2. The sower of the First Century scattered seed from a shoulder-strap bag.

  3. The mystery is something concealed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament. See Mark 4:11.

  4. The present form of the kingdom of God is here in the hearts of believers, but the future kingdom of God is yet to come in power and glory.

  5. He gave a mild rebuke because He wanted to teach them deeper truths, yet they didn't understand this simple parable.

  6. a. Indifferent, insensitive hearers; the seed could be snatched away easily by Satan before it could germinate.

    b. A shallow heart; emotional enthusiasm, but no depth.

    c. Spiritual strangulation; the love of riches, the cares of the world, anxiety, and other interests.

    d. The ready heart; the proof is in the fruit.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. "Light received brings light. Light rejected brings night." What does this mean? Give an example of each.

  2. Go over the "Big Three" fruit reducers. What is a 100% producer of fruit?

CHALLENGE

  1. Do you desire more light? Having counted the cost, what are you willing to forego to spend more quality time with the Lord?

KEY VERSES

  • “And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
 And hearing they may hear and not understand;
 Lest they should turn,
 And their sins be forgiven them.’” Mark 4:11-12

  • “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 4:20



Mark, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsMark 4:1-20