Sower and the Seed

TEXT: Luke 8:4-15

God’s Word brings life and spiritual fruit into the lives of those who receive it into their hearts. They must also believe and be obedient to His Word. But the life-giving power of God’s Word can do nothing but condemn if not received in the heart by faith. “Take heed therefore how ye hear” (Luke 8:18). Jesus brought out the necessity of having a receptive heart in this parable of the Sower and the Seed.

QUESTIONS

1. A parable is an allegorical story from which a moral message or religious truth is taught. Why do you think Christ spoke in parables?
2. What happened to the seed that fell by the wayside and to what was this likened? What type of ground would you expect to find by the wayside?
3. What circumstances might cause the devil to take the Word from our hearts? What can be done to prevent this?
4. What might the lack of moisture mentioned in verse 6 mean? What is the source of the needed moisture? See Jeremiah 17:13 and John 4:14.
5. In reading verse 13 of the text, how can temptation cause failure of the seed to bring forth fruit?
6. Explain in your own words how you feel the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life choke the Word.
   Cares
   Riches
   Pleasures
7. How can we really hear with our hearts and “keep it”? The Word gives us many suggestions. Look up the following Scriptures and identify what action should be taken.
   Psalm 84:4
   Proverbs 4:14
   Ephesians 6:11
   Ephesians 6:18
   2 Timothy 2:15
   Hebrews 11:6
   Revelation 22:14
8. Read John 15:2 and note what happened to the non-fruit-bearing and fruit-bearing branches. Explain what you think is meant by this verse.