I. The
Basics
A. Setting
Chapter 8
begins with noting the followers of Jesus. This special mention suggests that
what is to follow serves the special purpose of preparing the disciples for the
ministry. In this lesson, we will study how Jesus’ parable of the sower not
only called the people in general to respond to God’s word, it also taught the
disciples, who were to be the future missionaries, what to expect when
witnessing for the Lord.
B. Key
Verse
“But the ones that fell on the good ground are
those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear
fruit with patience” (8:15).
II. Observation
A. Outline
(8:1-3)
(8:4-15)
(4-8)
(9-10)
(11-15)
(8:16-18)
(8:19-21)
B. Key
Words/Phrases
III. General
Analysis
1. Read
through the passage of this lesson and record briefly what is taught about the
word of God.
IV. Segment
Analysis
A. 8:1-3
1. Who
were Jesus’ traveling companions?
2. What
is remarkable about these followers?
B. 8:4-15
3. What
is the teaching behind the words, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”?
4. What
is the purpose of parables (10)?
5. What
are the “mysteries of the kingdom of God”?
6a. What does the seed refer to?
6b. What does the soil refer to?
7.
According to Jesus, what is the purpose of sowing seed?
8. What
is the point of this parable?
9. How
should your faith take root? (cf. 13).
10. How
do the cares, riches, and pleasures of life “choke” a person’s heart?
10b. What can you do to remove the “thorns” in your heart?
11.
Explain how we can achieve the following and be like the good soil?
11a. Hear
the word with a noble and good heart
11b. Bear
fruit with patience
12. What
is the evidence that indicates what kind of soil we have?
C. 8:16-18
13a. What does the light in 16 refer to?
13b. What does this light reveal?
14.
Explain the meaning of verse 18. Why must we “take heed how we hear”?
D. 8:19-21
15. Why
are the hearers and doers of God’s word the mother and brothers of Jesus? What
does this mean?
