GROWING

DEEPLY a daily scripture guide

Week of January 8-13
MONDAY: Luke 8:11-15 Simplicity
When we think of “simple,” we often think of less than, of things
uncomplicated. But simple may mean focused, directed.
QUESTIONS: What is simple in your life? What is uncomplicated in your life?
What needs to change to bring a more focused simplicity into your life?
TUESDAY: Luke 8:11-15 Can Abundance be Simple?
When we think of “abundance,” we often think of more than; we think of
accumulation.
CONSIDER: Consider what it means to live in abundance without
accumulation.
WEDNESDAY: Luke 8:11-15 Good Soil
Living in the abundance of God’s word begins with planting God’s word
deeply into our being. Nurturing the seeds of God’s love results in a life
abundant with hope and promise.
CONSIDER: Consider your life as a garden. What type of soil is your life:
rocky, thorny, receptive?
Sunday
SERMON
“Overwhelmed: Creating Life With Margins” - Jan. 7
Scripture: Luke 8:11-15 (NLT)
This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds
that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only
to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent
them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil
represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But
since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they
fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the
thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the
message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this
life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on
the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s
word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale
House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

THURSDAY: Luke 8:11-15 Balance My Notes:

Our lives are filled with interruptions, with obligations, with complications.
How do we find the balance that creates a life that is comfortably
productive, and spiritually directed?
REFLECTION: Reflect on what is needed to strike a balance in your life.

FRIDAY: Luke 8:11-15 Relationship with God and with Each Other
We receive an example of balance in scripture in reflecting on the 10
Commandments.
REFLECTION: How do the commandments guide us regarding a relationship
with God? How do the commandments guide us regarding relationships with
one another?

SATURDAY: Luke 8:11-15 Perfection

15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted
people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge
harvest.
PRAYER: Guiding God, help us find the perfection of relationship that you
desire for us as we set margins in all areas of our lives. Read or subscribe to the weekly guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.