To help understand the way Jesus taught and what He taught on, we need to first look at John the Baptist’s message
Matthew 3:1-3
What was John the Baptist’s message?
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
When Jesus arrives, this is fulfilled. Jesus fulfils the Old Testament and the promises of God. Jesus brings in the Kingdom because He is the Messiah, ruler of the eternal kingdom He Himself has ushered in.
As part of His earthly ministry, Jesus preached on the purpose He had come to fulfil and the Kingdom that would begin with Him.
As we are Jesus’s representatives, we now hold the responsibility of sharing the Good News of His work and the Kingdom.
In Romans 10:14-15, Paul uses Isaiah 52:7 to remind us that whoever shares the Gospel with others is beautiful.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Read Luke 8:1-15
Jesus describes four types of soils, what do these different soils represent?
The heart of those that hear the Gospel
The four soils are hard, rocky, with thorns and good
What is the result of the seed falling in these soils?
1. Hard:
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2. Rocky:
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3. With Thorns:
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4. Good:
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What is the spiritual meaning of each soil and the result?
1. Hard:
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2. Rocky:
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3. With Thorns:
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4. Good:
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Based on the unlikelihood of locating good soil should we give up and not sow?
Yes, we are Jesus’s representatives, and our faithful witness is part of our Gospel fruit
With the four soils in mind, describe what these statements mean:
He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand. (Luke 8:10)
Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:9)
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. (Matthew 13:13b)
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How can we make sure we aren’t any of the first three soils?
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Can you commit to one thing today that will help you to be good soil?
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