On Sunday we studied the final two parables in Mark 4.  Jesus used two more farming metaphors to illustrate what the Kingdom of God is like.  We learned about the surprisingly powerful nature of the Kingdom and the surprisingly pervasive nature of the Kingdom.  Where the Kingdom is planted, it has power to grow – powerfully, automatically, sovereignly and completely.  And where the Kingdom is growing, it will spread and conquer and dominate into the whole earth.  This is meant to be profoundly encouraging to us!  God is at work, more than we know!  He has power to save and His gospel has power to spread and grow throughout the earth and throughout our lives.  You can listen to or download the sermon here.  I hope these questions help you apply God’s word to your life.

1.  What is the job description of the farmer?  What is the job description of the seed?  What is the danger of getting this wrong, backward or mixed?

2.  Why can a wise farmer sleep and rest? Do you find yourself able to rest knowing that God is at work?  What keeps you from resting?  How does the parable about the power of the seed help your perspective?

3.  We talked about three ways these parables should affect us.  We should sow, rest and believe.  Which of these do you struggle with the most?  How do you believe the Lord wants to use these parables to change you?

4.  How does the parable of the mustard seed give you confidence that the gospel has the ability to spread and conquer and dominate around the world, in our city, in our church and in your life?

5.  Jesus had 120 followers on earth when He left (talk about mustard seed beginnings!)  Then, He poured out His Holy Spirit on the church and it exploded on the day of Pentecost and has exploded around the world for 21 centuries.  What role do you see the Holy Spirit playing in the spread of the gospel in you and through you?

Grace to you this week,

Eric