Getting back into the book of Mark series after the Holidays, this week we dive into chapter 4 where Jesus explains the parable of the seed and the sower.
If you want a study tool to go along with the podcast, see Lift Notes here:
The Gospel of Mark: can you ______ me?
January 8thth, 2011 by Kasey Crawford
Today’s Passage: Mark 4:1-20
Review…(Mark 1:1-3:30)
A framework for understanding Mark: The book of Mark puts on display how Jesus brings more of heaven to earth and invites his followers to experience the same as they learn a new (kingdom) way of life from the Master and respond with regular repentance (turning to God) and belief (taking action).
New (Mark 4:1-20)
What does this passage teach about true discipleship?
- A disciple is one who really _________ Jesus.
“Listen. Behold… He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 4:3,9
In other words… I don’t want big crowds that are entertained by me, I want disciples who hear me. Watch how this unfolds…
And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 4:11
Mark wants to show you and me the example that truly hearing Jesus means you are ___________ to __________ from him.
They move beyond the distance of a crowd and get closer through __________ him more
The hearers have the true attitude of a disciple, which means __________: “I haven’t arrived, I’m hungry to learn!”
And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret (or mystery) of the kingdom of God. 4:11
The mystery that unlocks the power to more of heaven continually pouring down in your life is to be ___________ hungry.
To you the mystery of the kingdom of God has been given, but to those outside all things come in riddles, 12that is, ‘seeing they see but do not perceive and hearing they hear but do not understand. If they did, they would repent and be forgiven. 4:11-12 (alternate translation)
This passage here is reinforcing Jesus’ original gospel invitation: True Hearing is __________ by the __________, namely, you do something about it.
Every time we hear the word of the Lord, we are not truly hearing the word unless we respond by _________ something different
You can’t truly hear Jesus and stay the ________, that is not discipleship.
That’s why this humble hunger is held up and esteemed here in this passage. That is the ________ ________ that allows the word of God to take root and get nourished.
…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. 4:20
A typical range of harvest of one seed was ____ fold to ______ fold, with the average being around ____ fold.
When the heart stays soft and ready to learn, the ______ potential of our abundant life is where we are headed, towards fruit-filled life in the kingdom.
Taking it home….
v Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if your heart is open, soft and humbly hungry to keep learning and growing.
v Ask him to show you specific areas of life where you are not.
v Pray for the Holy Spirit to be softening your heart and making it fertile soil for the seeds of the Kingdom to take root.
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