Sower, Seed, and Soils
Matthew 13:1-9 (ESV)
The Parable of the Sower
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”
Study Guide Questions:
Observation Questions
In the parable, what do the sower, the seed, and the different types of soil represent?
According to the sermon, why did Jesus choose a seed to describe the kingdom of God?
What are the three types of “warning soils” that Jesus describes, and what are the main characteristics of each?
Interpretation
God’s kingdom comes “quietly, gently, and transforms from the inside out.” Why is this approach so different from how human kingdoms are usually established?
Why might a “divided heart” be the most dangerous of the three warning soils?
The message of the gospel is described as “foolish and weak by worldly standards.” Why do you think God chooses to work through something so simple?
Life Applications
The sermon began with a story about Selah’s hearing being blocked by wax. Are there “blockages” in your life—habits, attitudes, or distractions—that keep you from truly listening to God’s word?
When you think about your own heart, which of the three warning soils (hard, shallow, divided) do you most identify with right now?
The divided heart is described as trying to serve both God and other loves (like money, career, or family). Is there something in your life that competes with God for your trust or affection? How can you take a step toward surrendering that area?
The sermon challenges us to resist the temptation to seek God’s work through “worldly means” like power or control. Are there ways you’ve tried to force spiritual growth or change in yourself or others? What would it look like to trust God’s gentle, patient way instead?