Describe the spiritual analogies in this parable. What is represented by:

  • the sower?
  • the seed?
  • the hard path?
  • the shallow soil?
  • the thorny soil?
  • the good soil?

What are the spiritual and theological truths that we can derive from Jesus’s use of these images?

 

What are some characteristics of a hard heart? Why does Jesus use this description for the heart of an unregenerate person?

 

Why is faith that is shallow and superficial incapable of persevering through trials and suffering in this life? How can we be working to ensure that we will be able to persevere as Christians?

 

Why are “cares and riches and pleasures of life” such a threat to our souls as Christians? How do they keep us from reaching maturity? What does it look like to keep our desires in check, so that they don’t have that effect on us?

 

Why do you think that Jesus uses the image of “fruitfulness” to describe the life that God wants His people to live? Why is that so important? What does it mean to be a “bear fruit with patience”?

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