Foundations of Faith Week 4: Hearing the Word

Announcements:

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Worship:

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Introduction

Jesus tells a farming story because everyone understands fields. Same seed. Same rain. Same farmer. Different results.

Transition: Let me give you a picture to hold onto.

Illustration (Threaded Throughout)

“Four Garden Rows”

A farmer plants the same seed in four rows. One hard-packed. One shallow. One choked with weeds. One well-tended.

Harvest tells the story.

Body

I. God’s Word Is Generously Sown (vv. 1–9)

ILLUSTRATION CUE – POINT 1: “The farmer didn’t hold back seed from any row.”

God is not stingy with His Word.

“So my word… will not return to me empty.” (Isaiah 55:11)

Transition: But generosity doesn’t guarantee fruit.

II. Different Hearts Respond Differently (vv. 13–19)

ILLUSTRATION CUE – POINT 2: “The problem wasn’t the seed—it was the soil.”

Hard hearts. Shallow roots. Crowded lives.

Transition: One soil responds differently.

III. Fruit Comes from Enduring Reception (v. 20)

ILLUSTRATION CUE – POINT 3: “The good soil didn’t just sprout—it produced.”

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

Conclusion

ILLUSTRATION CUE – CLOSING: “The harvest reveals what preparation concealed.”

Gospel Invitation

The gospel is the seed: Jesus died, rose again, and offers new life.

“Jesus, I receive You today. Forgive me, change me, and lead me. Amen.”

Devotion Summary

God’s Word produces fruit when our hearts are prepared.

Questions

Which soil best describes your heart?

What distractions choke growth?

Weekly Challenge

Establish or strengthen a daily Scripture-reading habit.