This is the first parable Jesus taught. Join us as we learn about the 3 factors that keep the good seed from growing and the confidence Christ gives us that He will produce a harvest through our lives.

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Questions to discuss at home, work or with a friend:

1. Based on Deuteronomy 6:4-5, how are hearing and receiving the Word of God supposed to lead us to a greater love God?

4-Deut.6.5" class="scriptRef">Deuteronomy 6:4-5 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

2. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus described three factors that prevent the good seed of the Gospel of Christ from taking root in our lives. The factors are the swooping bird, the scorching sun and the choking thorns. Describe each one and how it poses a danger for us. (See Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)

3. According to Matthew 13:8 and 23, the good soil not only receives the good seed, but also produces a harvest. Describe the kind of fruit that believers should be producing in their lives. (see Galatians 5:22-23).

22-Gal.5.23" class="scriptRef">Galatians 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.