This Bible study focuses on a passage in the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament.

Mark 4:1-20

Objective: To understand that different types of people have

different responses to Jesus' teaching; to awaken the desire

to be a person who has ears to hear what Jesus says and who

lives a life that is productive and fruitful.

Introductory question: What teacher do you remember the

most? Why do you think he or she was a good teacher?

Introduction: Jesus was a good teacher. He often used

stories in his teaching. These stories are called "parables"

from the Greek word meaning to lay along side, to lie

parallel. These stories, taken from everyday life, had a

meaning that "lay along side" the interesting details of the

story. A person who listened carefully, thinking about what

Jesus had to say, could learn many things about living.

In our discussion today, we are going to read about a typical

situation where Jesus used parables to teach. Imagine the

scene. Jesus is surrounded by a crowd on the shore of Lake

Galilee in Palestine. He wants the crowd to be able to hear

his teaching. He gets into a boat and rows out a little ways

from shore. The crowd gathers on the shore line. His voice

can be heard clearly across the still water. He begins to

tell a story...

Reading the Passages: Have the group read each section

before you discuss it. Read the passage silently at first.

Then have someone read it aloud. Discuss any words that

might be unfamiliar to people in the group.

Questions: Mark 4:1-9 - The Parable

Over the years, this story has come to be known as "the

parable of the sower". Do you think this is the most

descriptive title of the story? What other titles might be

appropriate? What is the story about? What does it mean to

sow grain? What makes the difference in how the plants grow?

What are the four kinds of soils?

Mark 4: 13-20 - The Meaning of The Parable

Jesus' followers asked him in private what the parable meant.

Jesus explicitly explained the meaning that "lay along side"

the story about the sower and the different kinds of soil.

What does the seed represent? What do the different kinds of

soil represent? What happens to the seed in each kind of

soil? The four kinds of soil represent four kinds of people

- what are the four kinds of people?

Why are the birds able to find the seeds on the hard path?

What kind of person does this example represent?

The shallow soil results in quick growth that fades quickly

in the heat. What kind of person does this soil represent?

What are the weeds that prevent growth and fruitfulness in

a person's life?

What do you think is the fruit that is produced by the seed

growing in the good soil?

Mark 4:10-12 - Why Parables?

Some of Jesus' followers ask for explanations of his stories.

Jesus describes different reactions to his teaching.

What are the different reactions to Jesus' teaching? How are

these reactions related to the story of the sower and the

soils?

Thought Questions:

Jesus teaches in parables. Who would Jesus be compared to in

the story of the sower? In the story, Jesus implies that his

teaching is like seeds. What do you think Jesus expects to

happen in response to his teaching? What will the different

reactions to his teaching be?

Jesus ends the story by saying, "Listen, then, if you have

ears." What do you think he means by this? Why do you think

Jesus told this story? What kind of response would Jesus

like people to have to this story?

Do people have a choice as to what type of soil they are?

Can the type of soil change? What might help break up hard

soil? get rid of rocks? pull up weeds?

Jesus often used stories as a teaching tool. Why do you

think he did this? What do parables or stories accomplish

that simple and direct instruction lacks? Do you think Jesus

intends to make things clear or obscure by telling stories?

What does the parable of the sower indicate about the

response to Jesus' teaching?

What kind of soil are you? What do you think Jesus would

like you to do in response to this story?

Closing: Ask if the group has any questions they would like

to ask. Ask permission to say a simple prayer to close the

discussion. Ask God to give each one the ability to be like

the fruitful and productive soil.

Copyright Information:
Several questions in this study were taken from the Serendipity New Testament for Groups, InterVarsity, 1987.