Mark Lesson 11 (2022)

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Mark 4:1-20

Key verse: 4:8-9

Open it:

1. What do you do to keep your house plant alive?

Explore it:

1. Read verses 1-2. Where does this story take place? How did Jesus start to teach the crowds?

2. Read verses 3-9. What are the four soils described in this parable? Why do you think Jesus concluded his teaching by saying, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear”?

3. Read verses 10-12. How did Jesus respond to Jesus’ teaching? (10) Why do you think Jesus explained the “secret” only to his disciples and not the crowds in general? Why do you think Jesus considered Isaiah’s words relevant to his teaching about the kingdom of God?

4. Read verses 13-14. What problem did this exchange bring up? (13) To what was Jesus referring when he said, “the farmer sows the word”?

5. Read verses 15-19. What obstacles prevent people from accepting the gospel or hanging on to their faith? How does Satan “take away the word”? What troubles or persecutions cause believers to fall away? How can you ensure that the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the other desires of the world will not choke the life out of your Christian walk?

6. What happens to those who hear the truth about Christ and accept it? (20) What can you do to make the message “take root” when you hear or teach others about Christ?

Apply it:

1. What kind of soil do you think represents you? In what area of your life do you need to start listening to God?