Today we’ll be digging in about the seeds we plant in the soil of our lives.  We'll focus on this particular parable, especially on the “seeds" we are sowing in our lives.  Just like a farmer carefully chooses the best seeds for his crops, we need to carefully choose what we plant in our lives.

Now, you might be wondering, what exactly are good seeds? Well, Jesus explains that the seeds are the word of God.

BIBLE PASSAGES/TEXT

MATTHEW 13:18-23

“Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.  22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Today, we're gonna start talking about planting, focusing on the soil of our lives as we continue with this season’s theme on life as a garden.
Our passage is one of Jesus’ famous parables -  the parable of the sower, and it has a lot to teach us about the importance of being a good soil for God's Word to take root in.

BIBLE PASSAGES/TEXT

MATTHEW 13:18-23

“Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.  22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Have you ever thought about how the way we think is like a garden tool? Or how our minds are like powerful tools that we can use to shape and cultivate the garden of our lives?  Or how the way we think shapes and cultivates our lives?

BIBLE PASSAGES/TEXT

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”