CONNECT: How does Jesus being the Strongest One shape the way you approach at least one particular challenge this week?

WARM-UP

1. Have you ever had the experience of hearing words but not really taking them in? 
2. Why is knowing God and knowing about his Kingdom such great news? How can we know these things?

READ Mark 4:1-23

1. What are the four different results from the seed being sown? What do these represent? What do the results tell us about the seed itself?
2. Why does Jesus use parables in his teaching? What is their purpose? 
3. How is this parable a ‘parable of the parables’?
4. Are we ever at risk of responding to the word in the first three ways? What could cause you to have a hard or distracted heart?
5. How can we let our ears hear the Word? Is this different to just concentrating really hard? Why/How?
6. Is the kingdom of God meant to be a secret or revealed? How can we be part of the unfolding revelation of the kingdom on our frontlines and in the world today?

READ Mark 4:24-32

1. What does it mean to ‘consider carefully what you hear’ as mentioned in V24? Practically, how could you do this in your reading and hearing of scripture?
2. What is the encouragement and the warning in V24-25? What is the danger of not hearing and not responding to the word?
3. How does the kingdom grow both in the world and in our hearts? What is our role in this growth?
4. What does the harvest in V29 mean, and when will that come?
5. At first, the kingdom that Jesus brought had small beginnings and the type of kingdom was unexpected. What is the encouragement to both the disciples and us in V30-32?
6. How can you on your frontline show or tell of your growth in your relationship with Jesus?

APPLY: How can you make sure you hear the word this week?

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On Your Frontline This Week: How does the work you do point to God? If you are not sure, brainstorm with a friend and ask God to reveal it to you.

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen and Watch:          

• AUDIO: “Listening to the King” by Richard Chin
• AUDIO: “Careful Listening” by Alistair Begg
• AUDIO: “The Kingdom of God” by Alistair Begg
• AUDIO: “Kingdom Growth” by Dick Lucas:

Read:

• ARTICLES: “Jesus’s Parables Are Not Heartwarming Sermon Illustrations”

Series Resources:

• RESOURCES: The Gospel of Mark (Video Overviews and More)
• RESOURCES: Gospel Coalition Mark Courses
• VIDEO: The Bible Project Mark Overview
• VIDEO/AUDIO: iTunes U, Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
• VIDEO: Training on the Purpose of Mark

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