SESSION 4 MARK 4:1-20

WELCOME
What has most helped the seed of the Gospel to thrive and grow in you?

WORSHIP – sing or meditate on ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit!
O what needless pain we bear!
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

WORD
1. According to Jesus, why does God’s Word not take root in some people?

2. What causes the plants in the second type of soil to wither?

3. What three things choked plants in the third situation? Are any of these present in your life today?

4. What would you say was the ‘bottom line” that Jesus was trying to get his disciples to understand through the use of this parable?
· Make sure you only sow in good soil.
· Don’t expect everyone to be receptive to the seed of the Gospel.
· Sow as much seed as you can—the harvest will make it worthwhile?
· Make sure you are the good soil.

5. What “soil” have you been most frequently in your life?
· The soil of the path— I have often listened to the cynicism of others.
· The rocky ground— can’t seem to stick with anything.
· The thorny ground— I get lured away by temptation.
· The good ground— the Lord has reaped a harvest through my life.

6. What trials & temptations are making things ‘thorny’ for you? How can the group help you in prayer?

WITNESS
Pray that God will make the people you speak to this week ‘receptive soil’.