REAL GROWTH
REAL GROWTH
Jon Brown explores the Parable of the Sower and how it tells us the way to experience real growth.
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KEY VERSE: But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:20)

Ice Breaker: Have you ever successfully kept a plant alive?

The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4 & Matthew 13) talks of 4 types of ground that we can be. It tells us the way to experience real growth and human flourishing. Let’s look at some of the questions that arise from each:

  1. The Path: Are you aware of the effects of the devil in your life?
  2. Rocky Ground: How have you found coming down from moments of spiritual highs?
  3. Thorns: To what extent are unhealthy attitudes towards money, relationships and family affecting your life? What’s the biggest thorn in your life right now and how close is it to choking you out?
  4. Good Soil: ‘When you hear his words and receive Jesus then those seeds of truth become planted within you and then the natural response is to grow.’ Has that been true in your own life?

Creative Moment: Get a plant. Try to keep it alive. Whenever you look at it ask God to make your heart good soil.

Next Step: ‘Our actions are the overflow of what we believe. It’s why in Matthew 7:20 Jesus says that we know what people are like by their fruit.’ Look at your actions this week and reflect on what they reveal about what you believe.