The parable of the sower is one of Jesus’ famous parables, and often it can fall on deaf ears because we have heard it so many times. However, let us look again at Jesus’ words, and marvel at his skill in speaking, the mystery of the gospel, and Christ’s work in our lives as we hear the gospel once again in this passage.

Matthew 13.1-23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” 10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 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. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Where did Jesus give this parable?

+ How many groups of people does Jesus talk about?

+ What/ Who are the seeds the fall on hard ground? What does the devil do?

+ What/ Who are the seeds who fall on the rocky ground? Why do they die?

+ What/ Who are the seeds that fall on the thorn ground? Why are they choked out?

+ What/ Who are the seeds the fall on the good soil? What contributes to yielding fruit?

+ How would you have reacted if Jesus had told this parable to you? Would you have understood it?

+ Why does Jesus speak in parables?

+ Why does Jesus hide/ reveal some of his truth in parables?

+ Why do the Pharisees not understand what Jesus is saying?

+ Why are we blessed when we hear and understand Jesus’ parables?

+ Go over the parable again and put Jesus’ explanation next to his original words. How does this help you understand what he is saying?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Are you daily repeating the good seed that is the gospel?

+ How have you been producing in your life so that you may give back 30, 60, 100 fold?

+ Are you letting the word speak to you so that you may understand Jesus’ words better?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ How are you witnessing to people so that the seed of the gospel can fall on their ears?

+ How can you show people Jesus’ power in your life?