Wednesday, May 9, 2007

How does God's Word hit you? In the rough

Matthew 13:22
22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Mark 4:18-19
18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Luke 8:14
14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

  • How do the worries, riches, and desires choke God's word?
  • What image comes to mind when you read "choke the word"?
  • What is the result of God's word being choked? How is this different from the falling away due to temptation or persecution?
  • How does worry keep you from obeying God's word? In what other ways does worry keep God's word from being fruitful in your life?
  • How do riches keep you from obeying God's word? In what other ways does riches keep God's word from being fruitful in your life?
  • How do the desires and pleasures of life keep you from obeying God's word? In what other ways do desires and pleasures keep God's word from being fruitful in your life?
  • What percentage of your life is hard path? What percent is rocky soil? What percent is weed infested?
  • What fruit is God expecting from his Word? What does immature fruit look like?

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