Parable of the Sower

Discussion Questions: “The Parable of the Sower”

It is best to read in groupings to compare and contrast each Gospel’s observations and interpretations.  Read in blue: Matthew 13:1-3a, Mark 4:1:2, and Luke 8:4.  Next read in red: Matthew 13:3b-9, Mark 4:3-9, and Luke 8:5-8.  Next read in green: Matthew 13:10-14, Mark 4:10-12, and Luke 8:9-10.  Next read in purple: Matthew 13:16-23, Mark 4:13-20, and Luke 8:11-15.

3.    What are parables?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.    What is specifically different in Mark 4:3? Which is not mentioned in Matthew or Luke?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The meaning of the parables and how do they impact us today.

5.    What is meant by the parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed.”

Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today:  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.    What is meant by the Parable: “Some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.”

Meaning:  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today:  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.    What is “by the wayside?”  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Note: Stony places.  Luke adds in verbiage “because it lacked moisture.”

8.    What is meant by the Parable: “Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.”

Meaning:  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today:  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9.    What is meant by the Parable: “Some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up and choked them.”

Meaning:  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today:  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10.                Sub-question: (Seeds that fell on stony places) Why would the ones who hear the Word immediately receive it with joy?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11.                What is meant by the Parable: “Some seed fell on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit?”

Meaning:  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today:  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12.                What is meant by “some thirtyfold, some sixty and some a hundred?”  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13.                What is meant by “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14.                What does Jesus mean when he states, “To you, it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God?” ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The mysteries of heaven (there are many more than these):

1.    1 Peter 3:18:  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.    Matthew 25:31-36:  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.    Colossians 1:25-27:  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.    Ephesians 5:22-33:  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.    Luke 10:25-37: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15.                In Matthew 13:11, Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10: Why are the mysteries of the kingdom of God given to the disciples but not to those who are outside? It is given in parables.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16.                What is meant by the Parable:  Matthew 13:12 “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (not covered in Mark or Luke):  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17.                What is the seed?  _______________________________________

18.                Mark 4:13:  What did Jesus mean when he stated, “How then will you understand all the parables?”  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus question: Where is Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled in Matthew 13:14-15 “‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing. And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn. So that I should health them?”_________________________________________