The Great Story Teacher

Review and Introduction

The Great Story Teacher

Provocative Preacher/Teacher

• Parables Provoke Questions
• Parables Provoke Confrontation
• Parables Provoke Response

Mark 4:1-20

Going to School (Verses 1,2 )

Today’s Lesson  (Verses 3-9)

Agriculture and the Blessing of God

Isaiah 55:10-13

The Key to the Lesson (Verses 10-12)

Isaiah 6:9, 10

True Understanding (Verses 13-20)

1 Samuel 12:20, 21 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.

Give me New Ears!

 [24] And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, [25] correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

            2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Hebrews 3:15 ESV

Community Meditation Questions

Growing in knowledge

• In Jesus explanation of his teaching in parables, he quotes from Isaiah 6. Read this chapter together. How does the teaching of Jesus function as both a warning and positive teaching to people?
• What does it mean to have ears to hear?

Feeling life deeply

• If we do nothing with the truth we are given, should we expect kingdom fruitfulness from our lives?
• What makes us hesitant follow Jesus in the details of our lives? In his mission to seek and save those who are lost and far from God? Do you see any of these be reflected in Mark 4:13-20?

Living  with courage

• When God’s Word is sown into our lives, what should be our response? Hint: Read James  1:19-27
• Read the prayer and promise given to us in John 15:12-17.