Becoming Unique Disciples

Encounter

Encountering God’s Word is more than simply reading through a passage and thinking about how it applies to your life. We believe that encountering God’s Word means we have the opportunity to encounter God. When we come to God through Scripture, we recognize that any connection the words on the page have with us is because of the Holy Spirit. It is for that reason that we come to God and God’s Word with expectancy; expecting that He will meet us here when we come humbly before Him.

Before taking a few moments in God’s Word, pause. Take a few deep breaths. Consider practicing a breath prayer. While you breathe in pray simply, “Come Holy Spirit.” Then, as you exhale, pray “Speak to my heart.”

Once you feel settled enough in mind, body, and spirit, open your Bible to Matthew 13:3-9 and slowly read the parable Jesus tells to a crowd of people.

This parable is one of the few that is followed by an explanation about what it means. After telling the parable, Jesus’s disciples ask him why he speaks in parables. Jesus’s explanation is simple, those who truly seek Jesus, listening to His teaching and living for God’s Kingdom will understand the stories Jesus tells. Jesus follows up this answer to their question with the explanation of the parable about the farmer spreading his seeds on the various types of soils. We learn from Jesus that the seed is the message about God’s kingdom. Jesus also teaches us about the four different soil types:

Footpath soil	Rocky soil	Thorny soil	Good soil
Those who hear but don’t understand	Those who are quick to accept the message but lose it just as quickly due to shallow roots when face with trials	Those who hear but are too distracted by life to let it take root	Those who truly hear and understand

Reflect

As you read, what was your perspective? Did you read the passage and see yourself as the farmer? Maybe you compared parts of your story with the various types of soil? Perhaps you even read the story from the perspective of one of the people in the crowd that is listening intently to Jesus as he tells this parable?

Was there anything in the passage that resonated with you? What seemed to be the connection between your life in this season and the parable? Was there a challenge or something that caused you to feel any discomfort?

Again, we encounter God when we encounter God’s Word. This life of faith is about relationship with our Savior. Take a moment or two to share openly with God about what it is Holy Spirit stirred up within you through this passage.

Spiritual Practice

Jesus’s explanation of the parable does not mention anything about another aspect of the story…

who is the farmer? As we approach Pentecost, the fulfillment of God’s promise to provide the Helper - the Holy Spirit, I would go so far as to say the farmer is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings the words of Scripture to life in the life of those who believe. It is also the Holy Spirit who speaks in and through disciples of Jesus so that others may come to know and truly believe the message about God’s Kingdom.

With this in mind, in what ways may the Holy Spirit be inviting you to live as a messenger of the Good News? Are there certain attitudes in your heart that you need to abandon in order to be a better witness of the Good News? Is there positive, encouraging language you can use in your relationships to replace judgmental, hurtful language? Are there any old habits you can submit to God in order to take up new, life-giving habits?

Journal or pray what is on your heart.

Gather

As you meet in your life group, triad, or with your family around the dinner table, consider the following questions:

• When was the last time you encountered God? What was that experience like? How did that encounter impact you?

• From Jesus’s parable about the farmer planting seeds, which soil seemed to resonate with you the most: footpath, rocky, thorny, good? Why does that soil type resonate with you?

• Has anyone ever told you that they knew you’re a follower of Jesus? If so, did they say how they could tell? If no one has ever said something like that to you, ask those in your group what strengths they see in you that you might be able to use for God’s glory by being his messenger?

Full of expectation with you, Pastor Matt