MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390

I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups

Dig Deeper:
1. Are you ready for 2025? What changes would you like to see in your life next year?
2. What does it mean when we say, or hear, “the condition of your heart”? Why is the heart response the most important aspect of spiritual growth?
3. Read Mark 4:1. What do we learn from this passage of scripture?
4. Read Mark 4:2-8. What is a parable?
5. Read Mark 4:9. What is the difference between hearing and listening?
6. Read Mark 4:10-13. How does the parable of the soil unlock all the other parables Jesus taught?
7. Read Mark 4:14. In the parable, what does the seed represent? What about the sower and the soil?
8. Read Mark 4:15. Why does Jesus begin to restate the parable with additional information?
9. Based on Mark 4:15, why do some people have no interest whatsoever in Christ?
10. Reread Mark 4:4. Where do the birds come from? What do they do to the seed? Why are both significant?
11. Read Mark 4:16-17. Why might a person respond enthusiastically to the Word but then fall away when trouble or persecution comes?
12. Read Mark 4:18-19. What are the examples used in this passage that represent thorns? What does the “desire for other things” mean?
13. Looking back on the first three examples of seeds being sown, what is the timeframe for each? Why is this important to recognize for each one?
14. Do any of the examples in Mark 4:18-19 resonate with you today? If so, which one…and why?
15. Read Mark 8:36-37. What does it look like to “gain the whole world”? Is it ever enough?
16. Read Mark 4:20. List the three things that happen in this passage. Describe how each is a key part in the process.
17. What is the ultimate goal of seed being sown? Who, again, is a sower? What does that look like in your life?

Live It Out:

You cannot experience life change without a heart change. God’s work in our life depends on our openness; it requires a personal commitment. Deepen your relationship with God today!

What is your response to the Word? Which soil are you?

1. Are you the hard soil? Is Jesus leading you to surrender your life to Him for the very first time? If so, you can pray right now in this moment and place your faith and trust in Jesus alone for your salvation.
2. Are you the kind of soil that is shallow? Is Jesus leading you to trust Him and His design for your life? You will face hardships, but you can trust God and know He is good.
3. Are you the kind of soil that is crowded? Have you become distracted and deceived by the things of this world? Jesus isn’t just to be first in our lives; our lives should have Him at the center of our lives!
4. Are you good soil? Are you ready to receive God’s Word? You cannot experience life change without a heart change. Ask God to use you for His glory this New Year!

Wherever your heart is today, you can say, “God, I’m ready. Change the soil of my heart to multiply your kingdom!”

Reading Plan:
Monday: Mark 4:1-8
Tuesday: Mark 4:9-14
Wednesday: Mark 4:15
Thursday: Mark 4:16-17
Friday: Mark 4:18-19
Saturday: Mark 8:36-37; Mark 4:20