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Let it Grow!: The Parable of the Growing Seed
Mark 4: 26-29 (NLT)
26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”
Big Idea: The kingdom of God is like a planted and growing seed. Just like a growing seed, when we allow God’s word to take root and grow in our hearts, we experience the blessing of His truth. We can trust that God will nurture and bring to completion the work of faith that He has already started in us and in others whom we’ve shared His word with.
Inductive Bible Study Steps: Observation, Interpretation, and Application
Observation: What is plainly given in the text? what do you see here?
What are we observing in this passage? Keywords? Context? Who’s Speaking?
What’s Happening? Where is it happening? etc.
Interpretation: Meaning and understanding of text
What has Jesus already revealed about this text? What truth has the Holy Spirit revealed?
Application: How do we apply what we’ve learned in our lives (individually and communally)?
How can we apply what we’ve learned? What is our encouragement? Practical wisdom?
“Jesus also said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.” Mark 4:26 (NLT)
1. Observation:
Jesus is giving a parable about what the Kingdom of God is like. He says that the Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.
2. Interpretation:
a. The farmer represents the believer who plants the word of God.
3. Application:
a. In God’s kingdom, he has entrusted us with his word. We should be in the practice of sowing the seed of God’s word:
i. Within ourselves first,
ii. Then with others
iii. We can only share what we’ve received
b. Start small, plant a “seed”
c. Remember, you’re not the only one planting seeds.
i. God brings others alongside us, and the Holy Spirit—the Helper—is always at work.
ii. Just like Paul and Apollos had different roles, we’re part of something bigger than ourselves (1 Cor. 3:6)
“Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.” Mark 4:27 (NLT)
1. Observation:
The seed begins to grow and sprout. The farmer isn’t as actively involved with the growth of the seed. In fact, the growth of the seed is a mystery to him.
2. Interpretation:
a. Spiritual growth happens through God’s power, not solely through human effort, though our involvement (planting the seed) is still important (Isa. 55: 10-11)
b. God is working even when His activity is invisible to us (Job 38)
c. Spiritual maturity begins with small, unseen growth.
3. Application
a. Trust God to continue His work in us and others, even when we can’t see the full picture.
b. Practice patient expectation (waiting with purpose)
i. Ask God for what you need, release the outcome to Him, and trust His timing.
c. Recognize we can’t force spiritual growth in ourselves or others; our role is to encourage and point people to Jesus, trusting God with the results.
“The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens” Mark 4:28 (NLT)
1. Observation:
The earth/soil has everything that it needs for the seed to grow. Growth happens in stages: first the blade, then the head, then the full grain.
2. Interpretation:
a. The earth/soil represents the heart of a person that well-receives the word of God
b. The spiritual growth that happens is gradual; it’s not instant
c. There’s a promise of a “ripened grain” or God fulfilling his purposes in and through us
3. Application:
a. Thank God for what he has already done in you and others
b. Trust God’s timing and don’t compare with the lives of others (We’re connected but different in needs and purpose, all to God’s glory (Rom. 12: 4-6a, 1 Cor. 12:12, 14)
c. We should always be encouraged to grow. Pray and ask God how you can encourage growth in yourself and others without trying to rush it.
“And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come” Mark 4:29 (NLT)
1. Observation:
a. The farmer harvests the mature grain.
b. The harvest comes at the appropriate time
2. Interpretation:
a. We will bear the fruit of God’s word at work within us at the right time
b. We will benefit from the work that God is doing within us
c. This is a promise of God’s fulfillment of his promises to us
3. Application:
a. Encourage yourself and others to trust God’s timing
b. Continue to trust in the promise of God that one day, God will complete the work that he started in us and in others
Final Observation:
Mark said: ‘Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. ‘
Mark 4:33-34 (NLT)
Jesus shared what the parables meant to his disciples when they were alone. This means that he shared what the Kingdom of God is like when they spent time together. This is where it gets really “meta”, Mark never shares the details about what this parable meant. This is an invitation for us to learn from Jesus personally. We can’t grow without our Gardner and the True Vine [John 15:1]
Key Takeaways
1. God’s Kingdom Grows Through Planting: The work begins with faithfully sowing God’s word in our hearts and sharing it with others.
2. Growth Is God’s Mysterious Work: Spiritual growth happens through God’s power, often in ways we don’t see or fully understand.
3. Growth Happens in Stages: Just as a seed develops gradually, spiritual maturity unfolds over time and cannot be rushed.
4. We Are Not Alone in the Process: God brings others alongside us, and the Holy Spirit is always at work, ensuring that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are apart of and growing the Kingdom of God.
Next Steps
1. Prioritize Receiving and Sowing God’s Word: Commit to regular engagement with Scripture and look for opportunities to share its truth with others.
2. Practice Patient Trust: Release the need to see immediate results, trusting God’s timing and His ability to bring growth in you and those around you.
3. Encourage and Support Others: Recognize your role in a larger community; pray for, encourage, and walk alongside others in their spiritual journeys.
4. Celebrate Growth and God’s Faithfulness: Regularly thank God for the progress you see, both in yourself and others, and remain hopeful for the fulfillment of His promises.
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By City Harbor ChurchMark 4: 26-29 (NLT)
26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”
Big Idea: The kingdom of God is like a planted and growing seed. Just like a growing seed, when we allow God’s word to take root and grow in our hearts, we experience the blessing of His truth. We can trust that God will nurture and bring to completion the work of faith that He has already started in us and in others whom we’ve shared His word with.
Inductive Bible Study Steps: Observation, Interpretation, and Application
Observation: What is plainly given in the text? what do you see here?
What are we observing in this passage? Keywords? Context? Who’s Speaking?
What’s Happening? Where is it happening? etc.
Interpretation: Meaning and understanding of text
What has Jesus already revealed about this text? What truth has the Holy Spirit revealed?
Application: How do we apply what we’ve learned in our lives (individually and communally)?
How can we apply what we’ve learned? What is our encouragement? Practical wisdom?
“Jesus also said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.” Mark 4:26 (NLT)
1. Observation:
Jesus is giving a parable about what the Kingdom of God is like. He says that the Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.
2. Interpretation:
a. The farmer represents the believer who plants the word of God.
3. Application:
a. In God’s kingdom, he has entrusted us with his word. We should be in the practice of sowing the seed of God’s word:
i. Within ourselves first,
ii. Then with others
iii. We can only share what we’ve received
b. Start small, plant a “seed”
c. Remember, you’re not the only one planting seeds.
i. God brings others alongside us, and the Holy Spirit—the Helper—is always at work.
ii. Just like Paul and Apollos had different roles, we’re part of something bigger than ourselves (1 Cor. 3:6)
“Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.” Mark 4:27 (NLT)
1. Observation:
The seed begins to grow and sprout. The farmer isn’t as actively involved with the growth of the seed. In fact, the growth of the seed is a mystery to him.
2. Interpretation:
a. Spiritual growth happens through God’s power, not solely through human effort, though our involvement (planting the seed) is still important (Isa. 55: 10-11)
b. God is working even when His activity is invisible to us (Job 38)
c. Spiritual maturity begins with small, unseen growth.
3. Application
a. Trust God to continue His work in us and others, even when we can’t see the full picture.
b. Practice patient expectation (waiting with purpose)
i. Ask God for what you need, release the outcome to Him, and trust His timing.
c. Recognize we can’t force spiritual growth in ourselves or others; our role is to encourage and point people to Jesus, trusting God with the results.
“The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens” Mark 4:28 (NLT)
1. Observation:
The earth/soil has everything that it needs for the seed to grow. Growth happens in stages: first the blade, then the head, then the full grain.
2. Interpretation:
a. The earth/soil represents the heart of a person that well-receives the word of God
b. The spiritual growth that happens is gradual; it’s not instant
c. There’s a promise of a “ripened grain” or God fulfilling his purposes in and through us
3. Application:
a. Thank God for what he has already done in you and others
b. Trust God’s timing and don’t compare with the lives of others (We’re connected but different in needs and purpose, all to God’s glory (Rom. 12: 4-6a, 1 Cor. 12:12, 14)
c. We should always be encouraged to grow. Pray and ask God how you can encourage growth in yourself and others without trying to rush it.
“And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come” Mark 4:29 (NLT)
1. Observation:
a. The farmer harvests the mature grain.
b. The harvest comes at the appropriate time
2. Interpretation:
a. We will bear the fruit of God’s word at work within us at the right time
b. We will benefit from the work that God is doing within us
c. This is a promise of God’s fulfillment of his promises to us
3. Application:
a. Encourage yourself and others to trust God’s timing
b. Continue to trust in the promise of God that one day, God will complete the work that he started in us and in others
Final Observation:
Mark said: ‘Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. ‘
Mark 4:33-34 (NLT)
Jesus shared what the parables meant to his disciples when they were alone. This means that he shared what the Kingdom of God is like when they spent time together. This is where it gets really “meta”, Mark never shares the details about what this parable meant. This is an invitation for us to learn from Jesus personally. We can’t grow without our Gardner and the True Vine [John 15:1]
Key Takeaways
1. God’s Kingdom Grows Through Planting: The work begins with faithfully sowing God’s word in our hearts and sharing it with others.
2. Growth Is God’s Mysterious Work: Spiritual growth happens through God’s power, often in ways we don’t see or fully understand.
3. Growth Happens in Stages: Just as a seed develops gradually, spiritual maturity unfolds over time and cannot be rushed.
4. We Are Not Alone in the Process: God brings others alongside us, and the Holy Spirit is always at work, ensuring that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are apart of and growing the Kingdom of God.
Next Steps
1. Prioritize Receiving and Sowing God’s Word: Commit to regular engagement with Scripture and look for opportunities to share its truth with others.
2. Practice Patient Trust: Release the need to see immediate results, trusting God’s timing and His ability to bring growth in you and those around you.
3. Encourage and Support Others: Recognize your role in a larger community; pray for, encourage, and walk alongside others in their spiritual journeys.
4. Celebrate Growth and God’s Faithfulness: Regularly thank God for the progress you see, both in yourself and others, and remain hopeful for the fulfillment of His promises.