For the message, The Soil of Your Heart given by Pastor John Ferguson at New City Church of Calgary

on January 19, 2014 These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or with your family or small group for discussion.

Discussion Questions: Luke 8:1-15

Introduction:

! It has been said that a work of art judges the view as much as the view judges the work of art. What is meant by this statement? ! The same could be said of the truth of Christianity as it applies to and reveals the hearts of people. ! Read the Parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:1-15 ! Questions: ! 1. The text opens by telling us about the ministry of Jesus, namely, that it consisted in proclaiming and good news about the kingdom of God. Recall the importance of this theme in Jesus ministry. ! bringing Recall the importance of theme of the Kingdom of God in Jesus ministry. Look up Luke 4:43, and 4:17-21. How did Jesus understand himself in relation to the kingdom of God? ! 2. When the disciples ask Jesus to explain the parable, he tells them that they are among those to whom it

! !

! 3. So Jesus explains the parable. ! What does he say about the seed? How does it relate to the theme of Jesus ministry. What are the four soils? Name them. ! 4. The first kind of soil is hard and indifferent. This person also has something more diabolical working against What did Jesus say it was? ! them. Compare this teaching of Jesus with what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:4. ! 5. The second soil is shallow and superficial. Can you think of some types of short, enthusiastic responses to Jesus that turn not being the real thing? ! 6. The third soil is preoccupied and distracted. Jesus list three things that choke out a proper response to the Gospel. What are they? Illustrate them with real life examples. ! 7. The last soil is the good soil. How do we know this? ! 8. Jesus tells us this parable so that we would understand that the condition of ones heart determines to Jesus radical message of good news about the coming revolution of God. ! receptivity Brainstorm some practical steps of application. ! ! Conclusion: ! ! What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your !
life? How does this text help you understand your need for Jesus? How does this text challenge you to follow him?

has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God (Luke 8:9ff). But for others, the truth is obscured by the parables. Pastor John explained that this by referring to the well known slogan, The same sun that hardens clay melts wax. How does this help to understand what Jesus is saying here?

Renewing your mind:

1 Peter 1:23, 25, you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.