Faithful, not Successful

Followers of Jesus ought to faithfully scatter the seed while entrusting the growth to God.

Reading Plan:

Questions:

1. When the flight attendant begins the pre-flight instructions, do you check out or pay attention?

2. The sower did not prejudge the soil as he sowed the seed; he, instead, spread it wherever he could. Can you share about a time when someone's response to you was different than what you expected?

3. The parable of the sower describes different types of people: indifferent, short-lived, and busy. Which do you find to be the most challenging to engage with spiritual discussion? Why?

4. The fruitful people hear and receive. What do you think it means to hear and receive? How can you tell when someone has not only heard, but also has received.

5. Three of the four people described were seemingly unaffected by the seed. That means the majority of our evangelism will not bear much fruit. In light of that, why is it important to pursue faithfulness over success? What does that look like?

6. Jesus often used parables—illustrations that drive home a point or a lesson. Is this something you do when sharing or teaching? If not, how might we incorporate parables into our sharing and teaching?

7. Who are you seeking to share the gospel with? Thinking in terms of those described in the parable, what type of person do you perceive them to be? Take time to pray for them as a group.