PATIENCE AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH........Please carefully read Mark 4:26-29 and answer the following questions. 1. What is the next parable that Jesus related (v. 26, 27)? 2. Verse 27 is an awkward phrase in Greek at least to us, but probably not to Mark’s readers of the day. The nlt translates this phrase as “he went on with other activities.” Others say that it means whether he rises up and checks to see if there has been any change, he can’t do anything to make that growth occur, but it occurs mysteriously and eventually. What will happen to the planted seed in good time (v. 28)? 3. What will the farmer’s reaction be to this (v. 29)? 4. “The earth yields crops by itself.” This comes from the Greek word automate; autos meaning self, and memaa meaning to desire eagerly. It is where we get our word automatic. This is an automatic process of the seed germinating and growing, and while we may sit and stare at a plant to watch it grow and bear fruit, or even water and feed the soil, we don’t make it grow. This is helpful for us to remember when we share the Gospel, planting seeds in others’ hearts. We must be patient and let God do His work in bringing the person to Christ. John Phillips well said it: “Ultimately all life comes from God. The most zealous believer can no more convert a soul than he could create a star. Life, especially spiritual life, remains a mystery.”[ii] Someone once defined successful witnessing as sharing the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God! How does James 5:7-8 address this? Scripture Memory: This week we will be memorizing Mark 4:40. Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:40
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:39:23 +0000
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