Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, July 27, 2024.

Main Theme: Jesus used parables to help His listeners relate to the Gospel.

Read in Class: Mark 4:1-9. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What are the different soils like, and what happens to the seed that falls on them?

Apply: What are some other spiritual lessons that we can learn from nature?

Share: Your friend asks, you if you have ever seen any fruit from the spiritual seeds you have planted. What testimonies can you share with your friend?

Read in Class: Mark 4:10-20. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why did Jesus teach in parables, and how did Jesus interpret the parable of the sower?

Apply: Consider your own life. Are any characteristics of the path, the rocky ground, or weedy ground creeping into your experience? This could happen more subtly than you realize. What choice can you make to change, if need be?

Share: Your friend asks why Jesus did not want those on the outside to understand the parables? What do you tell your friend? Hint: 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Read in Class: Mark 4:21-25. What are the main ideas of these passages?

Study:  What is Jesus’ special emphasis in the parable of the lamp? What lesson is Jesus conveying with the parable of the measuring basket?

Apply: How can we better understand the principle that with what measure you use, it will be measured to you? Think about it in all your dealings with others.

Share: Your friend asks why the one has little has even that taken away from them? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Mark 4:26-32. What are the main ideas of these passages?

Study: What is the primary focus of each parable?  What is the important stress of the parable of the mustard seed?

Apply: “ ‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’ ” (Matthew 24:14). Consider what the “church” was like when Jesus made that prediction. Why is this such a remarkable and faith-affirming prediction?

Share: Your friend asks you how you are currently sowing the Gospel seeds. What do you tell your friend?