Lesson 4 · October 26, 1901
Parable of the Sower
Seed among Thorns and on Good Ground
Lesson Scriptures.—; ; .
Aid.—.
- 1.Where did other seed fall? What effect had the thorns upon the growing seed? What expression in the text shows that the thorns grew rapidly? Besides hindering the growth of the seed-stalks, what do thorns prevent? ; .
- 2.What is the main purpose of sowing seed? What does Matthew say the thorns represent? Mark? Luke?
- 3.Do any of these things ever absorb our minds, and hinder spiritual growth, or perfect fruit-bearing?
- 4.In these very days, of what are we warned? .
- 5.What class is more apt to be absorbed with the cares of this life? What class with the pleasures?
- 6.Into what did other seed fall? What was brought forth? In what proportions? What, then, is the evidence of good ground?
- 7.What kind of fruit-bearing is equal to none at all? .
- 8.For whom, then, does good ground bring forth fruit?
- 9.What is our final test—correctness of theology merely, or fruit-bearing? .
Notes
Throughout the parable of the sower, Christ represents the different results of the sowing as depending upon the soil. In every case the sower and the seed are the same. Thus He teaches that if the word of God fails of accomplishing its work in our hearts and lives, the reason is to be found in ourselves.
The garden of the heart must be cultivated. The soil must be broken up by deep repentance for sin. Poisonous, satanic plants must be uprooted. The soil once overgrown by thorns can be reclaimed only by diligent labor. So the evil tendencies of the natural heart can be overcome only by earnest effort in the name and strength of Jesus.
The "honest and good heart" of which the parable speaks, is not a heart without sin; for the gospel is to be preached to the lost. Christ said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." He has an honest heart who yields to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Bible texts in this lesson
Matthew 13:7 · Matthew 13:8 · Matthew 13:22 · Matthew 13:23 · Mark 4:7 · Mark 4:8 · Mark 4:19 · Mark 4:20 · Luke 8:7 · Luke 8:8 · Luke 8:14-18 · Luke 8:14 · Luke 21:34 · Hosea 10:1 · Hosea 10:2 · Matthew 25:31-46
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