Luke 8:4-15 – 4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. . . . 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. (New Living Translation)

The farmer is God – The seed is the Word of God – The soil is my life

What It Takes to Grow Spiritually

1. I must be ____________________________________

Luke 8:5 – A farmer went out to his field to sow grain. As he scattered the seed on the ground, some of it fell on a footpath and was trampled on; and the birds came and ate it as it lay exposed. (The Living Bible)

Luke 8:12 – The hard path where some seed fell represents the hard hearts of those who hear the words of God, but then the devil comes and steals the words away and prevents people from believing and being saved. (The Living Bible)

▸ The harden soil represents _____________________________

▸ Three causes for a closed mind and hardened-heart:

_________________________
_________________________________________________
_______________________________

James 1:21 – . . . Don’t be proud but accept God’s teaching that is planted in your heart. This teaching can save your soul. (International Children’s Bible)

2. I must be _______________________________________

Luke 8:6 – Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. (New Living Translation)

Luke 8:13 – The stony ground represents those who enjoy listening to sermons, but somehow the message never really gets through to them and doesn’t take root and grow. They know the message is true, and sort of believe for a while; but when the hot winds of persecution blow, they lose interest. (The Living Bible)

▸ The shallow soil represents ____________________________

James 1:22 – Do what God’s teaching says; when you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves. (New Century Version)

1 Timothy 4:7 – . . . Take time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit. (Phillips Translation)

▸ Five commitments for spiritual growth:

I commit to ________________________________________
I commit to ________________________________________
I commit to ________________________________________
I commit to ________________________________________
I commit to ________________________________________

3. I must be _______________________________________

Luke 8:7 – Some seed fell among thorny weeds, but the weeds grew up with it and choked the good plants. /(New Century Version)

*Luke 8:14 – The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. (New Living Translation)/

Clear Thinking About Your Spiritual Growth