CONNECT
1. If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.
2. Describe a time you received good news. What impact did that have on you?
3. Jesus has been good news to me because now…

PRAY
Spend a few minutes quieting your hearts and turning your attention toward God. Allow time for people to voice their prayers (open to anyone who wants to chime in), using these prayer prompts as a guide:

God, I thank You for…
God, we pray for Brookwood that…
God, we pray for our community that…
God, we pray that during our time together You would…

Add your own words of prayer and praise.

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.
– Robert Louis Stevenson

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture enables us to carry within us the life-giving, life-shaping words of God at all times in all places. Here’s a verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 2:7a (NIV)

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
▶️ Don’t worry about getting to all the questions. That’s not the point. Be thoughtful and prayerful. Let the Holy Spirit guide your reflection and discussion.

▶️ If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

1. What are the four types of soil? What do each represent?

2. What does the seed represent in this parable? Notice the different ways it’s described, particularly in verses 18-23.

3. How do different people respond to the message of Jesus as described in this parable? What distractions and challenges do each of them face?

4. Reflect on your own life. When has your heart resembled each of these soils in terms of your openness to God? Invite your group to share which soil came to mind first and why.

5. How’s your heart today? (Stay with this question. Don’t rush through to get a quick answer.)

6. In the ancient world, first the seed was sown, and then the soil was turned over with the plow. Farmers often didn’t know on which type of soil they were scattering seed until it was broken up with the plow. How does this relate to sharing with others the message of Jesus?

7. What are ways you can connect with people who are at these different places on their journey?

8. Describe a time you had a heart for someone and didn’t know what to say. What did you do?

9. The disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables (you may have been wondering the same thing!). What was His response, and what point was He trying to make (verses 11-17)?

10. How can the limits of your own understanding help you connect with others who are searching?

11. Who do you know who was excited and ready to learn about Jesus and is still growing today? Reach out and encourage them to keep going!

12. What’s the main point of this parable?

13. Who have you been praying would have an open heart to the message of Jesus?

FOR FURTHER STUDY
To deepen your understanding of the parable of the sower, read and reflect on the closely related parables that follow in Matthew 13:31-52. What parallels do you see? How do they further explain the nature of people’s hearts? What else do you learn about the kingdom of heaven (a phrase used 49 times in the gospel of Matthew, 8 times in chapter 13)? What questions do these parables raise for you? How are you further inspired or challenged? Pause and ask God what He wants you to know. Take time to listen for His voice and how He wants you to respond.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY
After reading this passage, what’s one thought, question or takeaway you’re sitting with right now? Pause and ask God what He wants you to know or think about. Allow time for Him to speak, being sensitive to thoughts that come to mind. Growing often comes by simply making yourself available to God.

PRAY
Invite someone to close your time in prayer.

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.