StoneBridge Community Church
Senior Pastor Jon Saur
Matthew 13:1-9 NRSV
Sermon Outline
I. The Parable of the Sower
II. Jesus' explanation
A. Four Types of People
B. Represented by Soil
III. How do I know which I am?
IV. "Bear Fruit"
A. Matthew's Def. in Matt. 7
B. Sermon on the Mount
V. Can I change?
A. Tough question
B. Trust the Sower
Bearing Fruit
"Bearing fruit" in the Gospel of Matthew has a specific definition. In Matthew 7:17-18, as Jesus is concluding his Sermon on the Mount, he discusses how good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad fruit. It's clear in context that "bearing good fruit" is defined by the Sermon on the Mount. Who is following Jesus' words? Who is living out the Sermon on the Mount? If the way of life described by Jesus is visible in someone's life, that person is bearing good fruit. Below is Matthew 7:17-18.
Matthew 7:17-18 NRSV
NEXT STEPS:
1. Think of people you know that fit each of the four categories Jesus talks about, at least one for each category. (You can include yourself.)
2. Pray for each of those four individuals specifically, that despite your perception of them, God would make them the good soil talked about in this parable.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. How do you interpret this parable?
2. Of the four types of people that Jesus identifies in his "explanation," which category do you identify with more?
3. According to Jesus, what does it mean to "bear fruit?"
4. What, if anything, in this parable makes you uncomfortable?
5. What, if anything, in this parable gives you comfort?
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