Reading Plan:
Luke 8


Our Thoughts:
What is your favorite story ever? I am sure you can remember vivid details from the story. You probably don’t have to think too much to recall the story. But how many of us can name the 23rd president of the United States? Unless you are a history buff, we all probably know the details of our favorite story better than we know the identity of the 23rd president. It has been shown that stories are 22 times more memorable than facts. With that in mind, it only makes sense that Jesus taught mainly using stories. He had to know that teaching using stories would make His words more impactful and more memorable. He knew that those who heard His stories would really have to think about what He had told them. Many of the stories Jesus taught are called parables. The story Jesus uses to teach in Luke 8:1-15 is the Parable of the Sower.

A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he scattered the seed, some fell along the path. That seed was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it sprouted, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seeds fell among the thorns, which choked the plants out. Still, other seeds fell on good soil. This seed sprouted and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than what was sown. The imagery that Jesus uses to tell this story is gripping. I can picture the tiny seed falling on a sidewalk. Then a large boot presses it further into the sidewalk, only to be swept up by the beak of a bird.

Next, you have the plant that withers up without water. This is the fate that the plants in my house suffer. On to the plant that grows but is entangled in a mess of thorns, and finally, the single seed that produces a field full of growth. This last seed is extraordinary. The crowd listening to Jesus had only ever seen soil fertile enough to yield thirty times more than what was sown. So, yielding a harvest a hundred times what was sown is jaw-dropping!

Later, Jesus teaches his disciples the meaning behind the story. The seed is the Word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear the Word, and then the devil comes and takes the Word away from their hearts so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no roots. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing, they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns represents those who hear but are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and do not mature. But the seed on good soil represents those with a noble and good heart. They hear the word, retain it, and by abiding by the Word, produce a crop.

Spend time thinking through which seed would best describe your life right now. Ask God to examine your heart. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him to speak to you and help you listen. Do you need to believe that Jesus is who He says He is? Do you need to root your life in God’s Word? Do you need to deny yourself of life’s pleasures so you can experience more intimacy with Jesus? Are you producing a crop that is a hundred-fold? Once you have identified which seed represents you, write it down and list three practices that will help you continue to mature in your relationship with God. Be as specific as you can. Don’t be content with “pray more, read my bible more, and be a better person.” Be bold and specific so that you may grow and know the King of Kings.

(The 23rd President of the US was Benjamin Harrison. He is known as the most forgettable president in US history.)


More Questions:
• Do you need to believe that Jesus is who He says He is?
• Do you need to root your life in God’s word?
• Do you need to deny yourself of life’s pleasures so you can experience more intimacy with Jesus?
• Are you producing a crop that is a hundred-fold?
• Share your list of three practices with someone in your House Church, and ask them to help hold you accountable. If you’re not in a House Church yet, this is a great time to jump in! The spring semester of House Churches starts tonight at 6:30 p.m. Visit our House Church web page for more information and to find a House Church near you or even online.

Prayer:
Lord, we praise you for the teacher that you are. We praise you that you gave us an example to follow through the life of Jesus. Father, reveal yourself to us. Help us to know you more deeply. Give us the courage and boldness to take the next step in following you. Amen.

Author: Cooper Herrington