Rooted in Christ—English Camp

The Path and The Rocky Ground

Introduction:

Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about a story that Jesus told to teach us about faith.

It's called the Parable of the Sower, and it's found in Matthew 13:1-23 .

In this story, Jesus talks about a farmer who goes out to plant seeds.

These seeds fall on different types of soil, which represent different ways people receive the message of God.

Today, we'll focus on two types of soil: the Path and the Rocky Ground. Let's find out what they mean for us.

The Path:

Imagine you're walking on a dirt road, and you see a tiny flower growing right on the edge.

It looks pretty, but you know it won't last long.

Someone might step on it, or it could get crushed by a car.

Jesus uses this image to explain what happens to some people when they hear about God.

In verse 19, He says, "The evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road."

Ligonier Ministries explains that such a heart is "calcified to the point where it resists all penetration by the seed."

This means some people’s hearts are so hard that they don't let God's message in at all.

They hear about Jesus, but they don't understand or care.

It’s like the seed that falls on the path and gets eaten by birds.

they become easy prey

how old did they become like this with the hard heart?

Pressure, some thing hard, difficult happened in your…

Words spoken that caused you pain

“ you’re not good enough” “

traumas, abuse, disappointments, someone betrayed you

What can we do for people like this?

For those type of soil we need to plow, break that harden soil

Allow God to Plou, to break, to mixed what made your heart hard

Illustration: Think about a friend who seems to have no interest in God.

They might make fun of your faith or say they don't believe in anything. It's like they have a hard path for a heart.

But don't give up on them. Pray for them and be kind. Show them what it means to live like Jesus. You never know when God might soften their heart.

The Rocky Ground:

Next, let's talk about the rocky ground.

Imagine you plant a seed in a place where there are lots of rocks.

The seed starts to grow quickly, but it can't grow deep roots because of the rocks. When the sun comes out, the plant gets scorched Burt and dies.

Jesus says in verses 20-21, "The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away."

This means some people get excited about God at first, but their faith doesn't last because it's not deep.

They might go to church, read the Bible, and pray for a while, but when things get tough, they give up.

Illustration: Think about starting a new hobby, like playing guitar. At first, you're super excited and practice every day. But then, it gets hard, and your fingers hurt. You might get frustrated and stop playing. Faith can be like that. It needs deep roots to survive hard times.

Conclusion with Key Points:

The Path: Some people have hard hearts and don’t let God's message in.

The Rocky Ground: Some people get excited about God but give up when things get tough.

Practical Applications:

Pray for people with hard hearts. Ask God to soften them.Ask God to help you grow deep roots in your faith. Read the Bible, pray, and spend time with other believers.Show others the love of Jesus through your actions. Be kind, patient, and loving.

Now, let's move on to the second sermon, "Among the Thorns and The Good Soil."

TIO: Talk It Over: The Path and The Rocky Ground

The Path:

What are some reasons why people might have a "hard heart" towards the message of God? How can we pray for and help these people?

The Rocky Ground:

Can you think of a time when you started something with excitement but gave up when it got tough? How can this experience help you understand the importance of deep roots in faith?

Application:

What are some practical ways you can grow deep roots in your faith, especially when facing challenges?

Sermon 2: Among the Thorns and The Good Soil

Introduction:

Good morning! Today, we're going to continue our journey through the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13:1-23.

Yesterday, we talked about the Path and the Rocky Ground.

Key Points resume:

The Path:

Some people have hard hearts and don’t let God's message in.

The Rocky Ground:

Some people get excited about God but give up when things get tough.

Today, we'll focus on the Thorns and the Good Soil. Let's see what Jesus wants to teach us about faith.

Among the Thorns:

Have you ever seen a garden full of beautiful flowers, but then noticed some weeds growing among them?

Weeds can choke the flowers, taking away their nutrients and space.

Jesus talks about this in verse 22: "As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful."

This means some people hear about God, but they get distracted by other things.

They might worry about money, school, friends, or their future so much that they forget about God.

These "thorns" choke their faith, making it unfruitful.

Illustration:

Think about your phone. It's fun to play games, watch videos, and chat with friends. But if you spend too much time on your phone, you might forget to do your homework or spend time with your family. Just like that, distractions can keep us from focusing on God.

The Good Soil:

Now, let's talk about the good soil.

Jesus says in verse 23, "As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Good soil represents people who hear God's message, understand it, and let it change their lives.

They grow strong in their faith and produce good fruit, which means they do good things that show their love for God and others.

Illustration: Think about planting a tree in rich, fertile soil. It grows tall and strong, producing lots of fruit. When we let God's word sink deep into our hearts, we can be like that tree, growing in faith and doing good things.

Conclusion with Key Points:

Among the Thorns:

Some people get distracted by worries and riches, and their faith is choked.

The Good Soil:

Some people hear God's word, understand it, and grow strong in their faith, producing good fruit.

Practical Applications:

Identify the "thorns" in your life. What distracts you from God?

Try to spend less time on those things and more time with God.

Ask God to help you be like the good soil.

Pray for understanding and a heart that is open to His word.

Look for ways to produce good fruit. Be kind, help others, and share your faith with friends.

TIO: talk it over: Among the Thorns and The Good Soil

Among the Thorns:

What are some common distractions (or "thorns") in your life that might choke your faith? How can you manage these distractions better?

The Good Soil:

What does it mean to you to be "good soil"? How can you make sure that God's message is deeply rooted in your heart and life?

Application:

How can you produce "good fruit" in your daily life? Share some specific examples of actions that show your faith and love for God.