Episode 083 – The Parable of the Soils Pt 2: Listen and Obey
Key Passage(s): Mark 4:10-13; Isaiah 6:8-10; Matthew 13:34-35
When we read Jesus’ parables, it’s easy to ask “what does this mean” and wonder if Jesus told parables to confuse his audience. A literal reading of the Parable of the Soils seems to indicate that. But what most people don’t realize is that Jesus does something with this parable that he doesn’t do with any of his other parables – he bookends it with the words “to hear.” Whoa! Until this phrase is set within the unfolding narrative of the Bible, it’s impossible to understand what Jesus is doing to help and challenge his audience to understand his words, and why he shockingly quotes Isaiah to prove it. He wants his audience to be like a bumper crop. But in order to do so, they must be willing to not only listen to the word of God but obediently and courageously walk it out. As disciples of Christ, we must do the same, and this parable instructs on how to do so!
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the Parable of the Soils (Sower) teaching?
- It was stated in the teaching, “a disciple is someone who listens and obeys.” What are your thoughts on this?
- It was also stated that this parable is about “preparation and execution.” How do you, or how might you, prepare yourself to hear the word of God?
- How focused are you on setting aside time to engage the words of God?
- How well do you think you are listening? How can you grow in this area?
- Is there any place where you know what God is calling you to do and you’re struggling to do so? Why do you think that is?
- How will you begin living out the truths of this parable this week?
For Further Study
- Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 145-178
- The Parables by Brad H. Young – Chapter 14
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The entire conversations by Jesus to all is about turning back-repenting-to TORAH or not doing TORAH which all of them had a background in!
Word or in James doing the word that would be TORAH cause that was the only word they knew!
Does this make any Hebraic sense:
In the beginning was:
THE WORD-TORAH (note only capitalized in JOHN thus –TORAH? John got it-Ber’ashiet (sp))
AND THE WORD, TORAH WAS WITH GOD(of course it’s HIs perso nality and government before earth even.)
AND THE WORD, TORAH WAS—GOD
ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY –HIM -TORAH/GOD??
AND WITHOUT HIM/TORAH/GOD WAS NOT ANYTHING MADE
THAN WAS MADE.
IN HIM, TORAH/GOD WAS –LIFE
AND THE LIFE/TORAH/GOD WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN
AND THE LIGHT/TORAH SHINETH IN DARKNESS/LUCIFER
AND THE DARKNESS/LUCIFER,
of course–comprehended it not!
Keep it up Brad-love it!
Hey Bill, there’s been a lot of discussion/debate in the scholarly world around this. I appreciate your wrestlings.
So good, again. Thank you, Brad. Being a real disciple is serious business.
It is indeed. And what an honor to be one, right?!
Enjoyed the message Brad. Listening and doing. I love the Shama. Thanks again!
You’re welcome, Donald.
God changed your whole life to guide you to work hard on this website to help people like me better understand the Word. Thank you for being faithful to Him. You are an excellent teacher.
I bless God for your comments, Juliana. I’m deeply grateful for the gift He’s given me and getting to share it with people like you.
OUTSTANDING!!!
So glad you’re enjoying it, Wesley.
wow, what a challenging message.
Just out of interest: have you presented something similar before (?? Bread of Life) as it felt like I have heard this before but it really hit home very powerfully. Am I really listening?
Thanks for all the time and effort you put into these teaching series – is it OK to share this with my homegroup?
Rosylen, absolutely! Share it with anyone and everyone 🙂 And I’m sure I’ve presented something similar at some point in The Teaching Series. This is a theme Jesus comes back to over and over again, and I hope I do the same.