Matthew 13:3-9

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”

– Matthew 13:3-9

Devotion

This parable addresses principles concerning the kingdom of heaven. These 4 soil types represent different receptivity levels to the Word of God. Please note that the farmer (the messenger) and the seed (the Word of God) never change. The only thing different in this parable are the 4 soil types. This parable invites us to examine our hearts to see how responsive we are to God’s Word. One of the eight traits of a disciple at Oak Pointe Church is “listen”. A growing disciple listens to the voice of God.

The Big Question

See if you can unpack the meaning of the parable of the sower without looking ahead to Jesus’ explanation in Matthew 13:18-23. How does Jesus’ explanation compare to what you thought? Can you think of anybody in your life that might fall into the Good Soil (receptive) category? If so, pray for an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with this person(s). Can you think of anybody in your life that might fall into the hard soil, rocky soil or thorny soil (unreceptive) category? If so, what can you do to help enhance their receptivity level to the Good News? How receptive are you to God’s Word? What difference are Jesus’ words making in your life?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today!