The Parable of the Soils

In Matthew 13, Jesus shifts from teaching about the Kingdom of God in a plain manner to speaking in parables. At first, the disciples are frustrated and confused at this, but as we keep reading, the purpose is revealed. Jesus' parables reveal to some, but conceal to others. For those who truly "listen", their journey is just beginning. For those closed off.. it's already over.

Read: Matthew 13:1-23

Discuss: What pre-conceived notions about Jesus or Christianity do you see hindering people from understanding the Gospel today? | How can we overcome the "anchor bias" mentioned in the sermon in our own lives and remain open to new perspectives and understandings of God's truth? | What steps can we take to cultivate "good soil" in our lives and communities to better live out the teachings of Jesus? | In what ways would you like to incorporate silence and solitude into your week?

Pray: that the Lord would give us ears to hear from Him and would help us structure our lives in a way to make that possible.

Dive Deeper: Read Isaiah 6, Luke 8:1-5, Psalm 1 | What do these verses teach us about listening?

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