As we look at this series – we’ll be looking through the lens of ‘disciple’ – how did Jesus disciple the disciples? How did He go about training them to have his heart, attitudes, actions replicated within them? How is He still wanting to be doing that within us? A disciple is NOT an intern. Interns are assigned to someone to manage – and really it’s about managing their energies to accomplish tasks. The life of following after a Rabbi was one of apprenticeship & thus active 'followership'. “May the dust of your rabbi always be upon you” was a famous saying to a disciple…meaning may your proximity to the one you follow be so close that their dust rests upon you. That you would see how they see, act as they act, do as they do.
*If you've missed any of the past weekends, catch up with the sermons via our app.

Parable: a short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson, truth, or reality. There are some 31 parables within the synoptic gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke).
William Barclay states - a parable is "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning"; in parables of Jesus used familiar examples to lead people’s minds towards heavenly concepts. Jesus did not form his parables merely as analogies but based on an "inward affinity between the natural and the spiritual order."

It is interesting that Jesus explains why he uses parables in between the story of the sower and the explanation of the parable. It’s significant. Jesus makes the distinction between those who listen/understand, and those who don't. When Jesus quotes Isaiah 6 - he says that people don't listen because their hearts are not in a receptive condition. This can keep people from hearing the gospel and having it sink deep within…but this can also keep Christians from growing to become more like Jesus.

4 soils:
-pathway (hard-hearted, not receptive, closed off)
-rocky (shallow, no roots, fades when things get tough, persecution comes)
-thorny (concerns of this world choke out godly growth; preoccupation with world)
-good soil (nourished & conditioned to grow fruit; it’s God’s job the amount of the harvest -- our job is to align and nurture the condition of our lives so he can produce something within us and through us)

1) KNOW THE SEED/AND SOWER YOURSELF.
*know God’s Word and Jesus yourself. Align your life so that you’re heart has the right soil: planting God’s truth, hope and the love of Jesus within your own life. A tree, orchard or vineyard doesn’t produce fruit themselves in their own effort - they’re just planted and maintained in the right conditions so that fruit becomes a by-product from those conditions.

Jesus doesn’t tell a story with a background of scarcity – he tells of incredible extravagance. This farmer isn’t trying to place the seeds he’s planting in a calculated, measured and/or deliberate way. He’s extravagant – maybe even some might say: wasteful / reckless. We tend to look at investments and choose to ONLY INVEST in things that are having a RETURN. BUT JESUS doesn’t delineate here. His truth, life and love is for everyone and anyone.

-SHARE: OFFLINE – in relationships WITH people, in conversation; more than just throwing a Bible verse at someone and walking away. Sharing a truth from God’s Word that can be an encouragement to someone and maybe you explain what that verse has meant to you, share your own story of God’s activity and intervention in your life.

-Share: ONLINE: the opportunities abound…share something from God’s Word on social media platforms from time to time.
The goal of sowing God’s Word is not to be obnoxious, or over-the-top with people. It’s to be helpful, encouraging and pointing others toward the hope and light you’ve found in Jesus.

-SHARE PRAYER: I’m amazed at the opportunities God has opened and conversations that have ensued as I’ve simply asked people (after they share something) with me if I can pray for them right then.

Share God with whomever, wherever and whenever he gives you the opportunities!

WE ARE the stewards, the gardeners and curators of our own heart.
We oversee our receptivity or lack thereof.
It is no one else’s assignment or obligation.
Our heart = our responsibility.

OUR FAITH DOESN’T GROW BY CHANCE, IT GROWS BY CHOICE.
It’s our choice, our decision to CULTIVATE the ‘right soil’ within our own heart… keep a receptive heart to God, his truth & the ‘next steps’ He’s challenging you to take and grow in. Allow your heart to stay open and receptive to him producing a harvest in and through you.

NEED PRAYER? ....we've got some of our prayer team and pastors available following service to pray with you. You can also submit your prayer request via our app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.

Keep it on the RADAR: AFTER-PARTY coming October 21st!
Join us for a shortened service and then stick around for baptism celebration, food trucks, games, music and some fun. INVITE some friends!