The Sower

Some lessons learned from this week's Bible study on the parable of the Sower from Mark 4:1-20.
1) The difference between Jesus's followers (the inside crowd) and the others/masses (the outside crowd) was that they asked him what the parable meant (v. 10). The others were disinterested; they heard the story and left, probably not understanding it. The disciples wanted to understand; they hungered for the truth. We need to seek God's guidance in understanding the Word as we study it. Just reading the Bible like a book is not good enough.
2) The seed is sown everywhere. The seed isn't only sown on the good soil, where it will grow. It is also sown on the side of the road, the rocky places, and among thorns. Jesus did not selectively choose those most likely and ready to accept Him and teach them alone. He spoke to all people. He never lost hope. Likewise, don't overlook those who do not seem like "good soil" to you.
3) When you are sowing seed, you do not know the condition of the person's heart (soil). Only God knows. God allows each person to react to His Word, thus creating their own "soil"; the condition of the soil is characterized by a person's reception to the Word. For instance, those who live by "the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things" (v. 19) allow those obstacles to choke the seed's growth in them. God gives each person individual choice in how he/she will approach His teaching.