Carefully Think
- Read Matthew 13:10-17.
- How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
- What is the relationship of this passage to 13:1-9, 18-23?
- What reason(s) did Jesus give for speaking to the crowds in parables?
- What is the contrast between the disciples' spiritual state and the majority in the crowds? What in the passage tells you that?
- What did the Jewish crowds possess that would be taken from them (v 12)?
- What in the passage reveals God's role in salvation?
- What in the passage points to our responsibility in regard to salvation?
Prayerfully Meditate
- What does Jesus mean by "understand" (v 13, 14, 15, 19, 23)? The stories themselves were not too difficult to make sense of - so what is Jesus referring to when he says he speaks in parables?
- What do the parables highlight about the crowds? What do the parables highlight about the disciples?
- In what ways do we see these truths played out today?
- What effect should possessing a true spiritual understanding, given by God, have upon us (vv 16-17)?
Intentionally Act
- How could this passage assist you in praying for those who do not have Christ? Who, in your life, would this be that you could spend time praying for now?
- Spend time in prayerful gratitude for God's grace in giving you spiritual understanding. Meditate on the blessings of having such knowledge.
- How could this passage assist you in praying for our gathering on Sunday? Spend time praying specifically for both non-Christians and believers who will be present. Pray that this passage will be used to bring life, confirm faith, and equip the saints.
- Pray that those who lead our gathering on Sunday will do so in a most edifying and God-gloryifying way: Dawson Bryant, music; Brandon Ferguson, Elders' Prayer and Scripture Reading; Bret Caprancia, teaching.
- Listen to, pray through, and prepare yourself in the lyrics of the songs we will sing together on Sunday. How do they give unique praise to Christ?
Songs for Sunday
- Come, People of the Risen King (Video)
- Come Thou Almighty King (Video)
- I Asked the Lord (Video)
- My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (Video)
- Be Thou My Vision (Video)