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Study No.17 : A Story about Seed : Mark 4:1-8

A. Find Out:

        

1. Why did Jesus have to teach from a boat? v.1

2. By what means did he teach? v.2

3. What happened to the seed that fell on :

     a) the path? v.4 b) the rock? v.5,6 c) thorns? v.7 d) good soil? v.8

 

B. Think :

1. What about Jesus' ministry caused him to teach from a boat?

2. Why do you think Jesus taught using parables?

3. What are the two keys things about each lot of seed that was 

     scattered by the farmer in the parable?

C. Comment :

 

     We'll have to wait until tomorrow to consider the interpretation of this parable, so let's consider today just what is a parable? First, it is a picture with meaning which people who hear it can understand. i.e. it is about things they will know about. This parable was about a farmer, and all the people would have been able to picture him going out and casting the seed on the ground by hand.

     Similarly they would have been able to envisage quite clearly the different sorts of ground that the seed fell on. First they would have seen the path that they walked on past the fields. Then they would have envisaged the rocky ground, for there was plenty of that there. Then they would easily envisage the thorns growing up, because there were plenty of those too in that land.

 

     Everyone who went home after hearing Jesus would have a clear picture in their minds, but how many of them understood that it was a picture that conveyed important truths ABOUT THEM? When we read these parables we see the world's best story teller communicating in ways that cannot be forgotten, yet it is possible to ignore and forget the truths that are being conveyed.

 

D. Application?

 

1. Do we allow the meaning of God's word, whether it is in Scripture or in

     preaching or in prophecy speak to us and affect and change us?

2. Ask the Lord daily to help you be “ground” where His word can be sown

    to bring forth a great harvest.

Study No.18 : Ears to Hear? : Mark 4:9-13

A. Find Out:    

       

1. Who does Jesus say first of all can hear? v.9

2. Who was able to ask him about the parable? v.10

3. What has been given to the disciples? v.11

4. What do those on the outside get? v.11

5. What TWO things will they never do? v.12

6. What would they do if they did these two things? v.12

 

B. Think :

 

1. What is obviously a benefit of being close to Jesus?

2. How is the person "on the outside" of a relationship with Jesus

     limited?

3. What did Jesus infer? (see v.13)

 

C. Comment :

 

     First of all we see that for most people, Jesus words are just like meaningless pictures. They will see the picture but not realise what it is saying. They will hear the words but not understand what they are hearing. For them Jesus' teaching just remains "nice words".

 

      But then there are another group of people, people who have already come to Jesus, who are already following him, seeking to be close to him. These people will hear the words and can, because of their relationship with him, ask him for deeper understanding. To these people will be given understanding, when they come to Jesus and ask for help to understand. As we do these studies we should be constantly asking the Lord to show us what he is saying to us.

 

      A last, very important point in these verses should not be missed. These people will not understand because they do not come whole-heartedly to God first. The divine order is that understanding follows relationship, NOT relationship following understanding. For us to have life means we must first yearn to know God, not just yearn to be good. It is only then that we are forgiven for eternity, not just when we say sorry for some other wrong act for which we are sorry.

 

D. Application?

 

1. Ask the Lord to help you understand what you find difficult.

2. Thank Him that He gives wisdom willingly. (James 1:5)

Study No.19 : Parables Explained : Mark 4:13-20

A. Find Out:

        

1. What does the farmer sow? v.14

2. What happens to people represented by:

i) the path and the birds? v.15

ii) the seed on rocky ground? v.16,17

iii) the seed on thorny ground? v.18,19

iv) the seed on good ground?v.20

B. Think :

1. What does the ground represent in each case?

2. How does the ground in the first 3 cases stop the growth of the 

     seed?

3. How does this challenge US about how we receive God's word?

  

C. Comment :

 

      As Jesus now explains to his followers the meaning of the parable, we should perhaps check ourselves to see how WE receive God's word when it comes to us when we read or when we hear it preached. The ground in the parable represents different STATES OF HEART in people. The seed is clearly the word of God that Jesus brings to the people.

 

      The first group of people are those who hear it, but who have HARD HEARTS (the path trodden down) so that the word doesn't even actually get into them. It is, therefore, easy for Satan to come and snatch the word away by distractions, so it is easily forgotten.

  

      The second group look good as they receive it, but they have hard, resistant, UNSURRENDERED AREAS in their lives, so when opposition comes they give up quickly.

 

      The third group allow SELF-CONCERNS to prevail in their lives. which strangle the word and so stop any further change taking place in them.

 

     The final group represent OPEN HEARTS where the word is allowed to go deep where it can grow and bring great change.

 

D. Application?

1. How do WE respond when God's word is brought to US. Is it snatched

    away, not allowed full freedom to grow, or do we allow it to go deep into

    our hearts and bring change of life to us?

2. Ask the Lord to help you receive this even today.

Study No.20 : A lamp and a Seed : Mark 4:21-29

A. Find Out:

        

1. Where did Jesus say, you DON'T put a lamp? v.21

2. Why? v.22

3. What determines what you will be given? v.24

4. What does the picture in v.26b represent?

5. What does the seed do? v.27

6. What happens to it when it is ripe? v.29

B. Think :

1. What is the purpose of a lamp? How is it best used?

2. How (apart from buying them) may you get more and more

     seeds?

3. What is the main point about the parable about the seed?

 

C. Comment :

 

       In these verses we have 3 short sharp pictures. Picture No.1, of a LAMP made to give light, to be put where it can shine out. Jesus has just previously been speaking about God's word having effect. Perhaps he now means that the Gospel and our lives are meant for display, to spread the light. Picture No.2, of God's PROVISION for us and what we do with it. He says if we use it we will be given more.

  

     The inference is that what we are given is for using! As we give out we will be given more to give. (Seed sown produces plants that produce more seed.) Picture No.3, SOWING SEED, refers to the way the kingdom of God grows. The point is that it grows quietly but steadily until the time of harvest. Not only that, but there are steady stages for it to grow and each stage is necessary.

 

     The first two pictures speak about how our lives can extend the kingdom of God: by the word and our lives being displayed, and the word and our gifts being used. The third picture shows how we will have effect: by a quiet but continual growth of that kingdom. Jesus' words are to encourage us to reveal his light and to persevere in what is often a slow but steady job!

 

D. Application?

 

1. Do our lives display Jesus? 

2. Are we using what we have been given, for the glory of God, and are we        seeing it increase? Are WE looking for His kingdom to increase?

  

Study No.21 : Mustard Seed Illustration  : Mark 4:30-34

A. Find Out:

        

1. What again is Jesus illustrating? v.30

2. How is the mustard seed described? v.31

3. How does the mustard seed end up? v.32a

4. What benefit does it bring? v.32b

5. How did Jesus go on teaching the people? v.33

6. When did he explain them? v.34

 

B. Think :

 

1. What is the point of the parable about mustard seed?

2. How would you expect to see that fulfilled?

3. What was the benefit of being one of Jesus' disciples?

 

C. Comment :

 

      First, in today's reading we see another parable that Jesus is telling about God's kingdom. Again and again he speaks about the KINGDOM of God. Jesus is constantly concerned about God's RULE over His people. A kingdom has both a KING and SUBJECTS and Jesus wants his disciples to understand that this kingdom may have tiny beginnings but it has very big endings!

      WHAT is God's kingdom? It is people who are submitting to His rule, and it is getting bigger every day, all over the world. Merely because there may not be many Christians where you live or work, don't be put off; across the world the kingdom is growing rapidly!

 

      Second we see again that Jesus is using parables to teach the people, which he only explains to his own close followers. For those who just came along out of vague interest, they would hear interesting picture stories, but that's all it would be. For those who wanted to know Jesus himself, they would then be able to hear from him directly the deeper meaning of each of the parables. Being a Christian is not merely hearing information, it is knowing Jesus personally.

 

D. Application?

1. Thank the Lord that you know Him personally. Thank Him for all that

     means to you. 

2. Ask the Lord to teach you, to explain passages of Scripture you find

    difficult to understand.

  

Study No.22 : Jesus Calms the Storm  : Mark 4:35-41

   

A. Find Out:

        

1. Who suggested they cross the Lake? v.35

2. How bad was the squall? v.37

3. What was Jesus doing in the squall? v.38

4. What did the disciples do? v.38

5. What did Jesus then do? v.39

6. What was the result? v.39

7. How did this leave the disciples feeling? v.40

 

B. Think :

1. Do you think Jesus is ever caught out by unexpected events?

2. What does his sleeping in the boat in the midst of the storm

     indicate?

3. What was at the heart of his rebuke of the disciples?

 

C. Comment :

 

     Today, in this passage, we have some very important lessons for our lives! Notice first of all that it was Jesus who initiated this episode. He led them to cross the Lake, and he always knows what is coming! When Jesus leads us and circumstances appear to get difficult we must remember that there's a lesson in it for us - from him!

 

      Second, we should note that Jesus is completely at rest in the situation, (possibly tired from his ministry) because he knows his Father watches over him and guards him at all times. He is also at rest because he knows that HE can handle ANY situation that arises.

      Third, we should notice his response to his disciples who were naturally afraid in circumstances apparently beyond their control. He chided them for their lack of faith. He wanted them to feel as he did: a) at rest because they are cared for, and b) at rest because they have the resources to handle any situation that arises. Read Philippians 4:13 and 2 Corinthians 9:8

 

D. Application?

1. Are you resting today in the knowledge that Jesus is Lord of your life

    and watches over you, interceding for you? (Romans 8:34)  

2. Are you aware of the grace and power of God within you (the presence

    of His Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19) to enable you to handle whatever

    comes along?

RECAP No.4  "Parables and a Miracle"  Mark 4

    

SUMMARY :  

      

In these 6 studies we have seen Jesus :-

  - telling the parable of the Sower

  - explaining about the purpose & meaning of parables

  - using a lamp as an illustration

  - illustrating the kingdom by telling parables about a growing  

     seed & the potential of the mustard seed

  - calming a storm on the lake.

 

Comment :

 

     Previous chapters have been ALL ACTION. This chapter is MAINLY TEACHING. The parables of Jesus that Mark records in this chapter are:

 

- about receiving God's word (sower & seed)

- about using what you have received (lamp)

- about the quiet growth of God's kingdom (seed)

- about the potential growth of God's kingdom (mustard seed)

      Finally we are shown the power & authority of Jesus, not only over sickness & demons, but also over the natural elements (wind & waves)

 

LESSONS :

1. God's word is meant to bring the fruit of change in our lives

2. We can ask Jesus directly to explain that which is difficult to understand

3. We are to use what we are for God's glory

4. God's kingdom WILL continue to increase to be the largest of all

     kingdoms!

5. Jesus has authority over ALL things!

 

PRAY :

 

1. Ask the Lord to use His word, as you read it each day, to bring understanding that

    will bring change.

2. Thank the Lord that He IS Lord over all.

 

PART 5 : Dynamic Action!

 

     In the previous chapter parable teaching gave way to the miraculous. This next chapter is ALL about the dynamic power and authority of Jesus over demons, sickness and death. He is Lord!!!!