Day 8: More Kingdom Parables (4:21-34)
Discussion Questions
(1) What obstacles keep you from hearing God? (ears to hear, 31)
(2) Are there some areas where we hear God, but neglect to listen and/or obey? As God’s children, how ought we respond? (32)
(3) Who can you share Jesus with this week? (33)
Powerful simplicity. May we be faithful!
One obstacle that can keep me from hearing God is my desire for a comfort and ease. After work, I’ve had to pray while driving home that instead of vegging out once I get home, for me to actually greet my family with love and to help Erin with the kids. Instead of utilizing my initial free time to play a video game or to do something that is mind numbing or that doesn’t require a whole lot of thinking (example: watch tv), I need to actively look for things to do around the apartment that will help my wife. Not saying that personal hobbies are sinful, but there is a degree of self-entitlement in me where I think to myself that every once in a while, I DESERVE “me time.” The only thing I truly deserve is hell for my sins, and with the time God has given me, I need to be faithful to what he has given me.
Thanks for sharing, Nick! I think that’s a struggle for many of us.
The frustrations of this world and my disappointments often leave me too distracted to hear God. Even when I find myself coming to God is prayer or reading his Word, I can be too task-oriented to really take the time to seek his counsel and obey.
Yep. I’m hoping this Mark study will slow us all down and we can spend quality time with God.
Michael, I agree. It’s so easy for me to go through the motions and check off the boxes but not really have communed with God, even though I supposedly had a prayer time. Have I really spent time with Him if I don’t then go and do what He said?
On pg. 32, “True hearing is not merely comprehending God’s word but involves putting God’s word into practice.” I hear a lot of sermons and hear the word proclaimed often; I have to be sure I pay careful attention to the kingdom message. Pg. 33, “All gospel farmers can do is to sow the gospel-seed of the kingdom and then pray and wait expectantly to see what God does.”
I have to hear it, obey it, and then share it.
Good word, Brando!