Matthew 13 v. 1 – 23
I must admit, I’m not much of a gardener. It’s not something I know much about, or have much interest in. But even I know that in most cases, unless a plant has deep enough roots it’s unlikely to flourish and may not survive at all in the heat of the sun.
That’s the picture Jesus is painting in Matthew 13 when He speaks of the shallow soil, one of the four soil types He describes in His famous parable. Consider spending some time with God this week, with the Bible open at this story and your heart open to hear God as He speaks. Focussing in particular on verses 5 and 6, and 20 to 21, here are three questions to prayerfully consider, and which we’ll consider together as we gather around God’s Word on Sunday:
1. What does Jesus say causes our hearts to be shallow so that the Word of the Kingdom of God doesn’t take deep root in our lives? How does that happen?
2. Why does it matter? What does Jesus say is at stake when the Word doesn’t take root in our lives?
3. How can this be prevented? How does the Word take its proper place?
May God grant us all grace to hear – truly hear.
David Faulkner