God’s goal for your life spiritually is that you are growing to be more and more like Jesus!

Has there ever been a time in your life when you were closer to Jesus than you are right now?

Mark 4:1-10

3 Stagnant States of the Heart

1.The

Heart

Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. Mark 4:13-15

2.The

Heart

The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. Mark 4:16-17

3.The

Heart

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. Mark 4:18-19

3 Big Weeds that Strangle your Heart

• Doubts.
• Desires.
• Deceit.

The Soft Heart.

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Mark 4:20

Healthy Roots always lead to Godly Fruit!

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9

The stronger the winds blow, the deeper the roots grow!!!

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7

Growing Deep ROOTS

1. Read God’s Word
2. Obey God’s Word
3. Open your heart to fellowship.
4. Take time to pray.
5. Share your faith!

“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26

Connection Group Questions:

1. If you were a farmer, what kinds of crop would you want to raise? Why?
2. Are you closer to God today than in the past? Why or why not?
3. Read Mark 4:1-10. According to Jesus, who did the Farmer represent? (4:14) What were the seeds supposed to represent? (4:15-20)
4. What was the problem with each of the three unfruitful soils?
5. Which seed ended up sprouting and bearing fruit? Why?
6. What kinds of circumstances tend to cause your faith to wither?
7. Which of the three weeds are you battling with? (Doubt, Desires, Deception) What steps will you take to weed it out?
8. What kind of soil would you say your heart is at this point in your life?
9. What would make you more effective in planting the seeds of Jesus over the next month? What will you do to make this happen?