Today's podcast is the first of a three part series focusing the parables of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus tells in Matthew 13.
"The gospel hope we have today in a time of unemployment, political gridlock, pandemic, and racial unrest is what Jesus calls the kingdom of heaven. These parables point to a God who is good. The whole world is created by and cared for by God. A God who is prodigal and patient, passionate and persistent, a God who is hidden and revealed, a God whose mercy and mission simply cannot and will not fail to bear fruit. In you. In me."
Belong
1. Where are you in this parable? Do you identify with one of the soils? Which one? How does it make you feel to know that God has planted God’s kingdom in your heart? That God loves you and believes in you no matter how dry or tangled or crazy your life feels today?
2. Think about the picture of God that Jesus presents in this parable. How would YOU describe this God? Is this different than the picture of God that you have had in your mind previously? Does that change how you feel about God? In what ways?
Become
1. How would you describe the quality or state of the soil of your heart? Barren? Rocky? Dry? Muddy? Thorn-infested? Ready and open for planting? What is one thing you want to change about your soil/life to better receive the kingdom of God and allow God’s word to grow and bear fruit in your life?
2. Think about our nation these days: how would you describe the state of our national heart? Based on this parable, what do you think God is doing in the world today?
3. How are the crises of 2020—the pandemic, the racial protests, the political dysfunction, the economic downturn—how are these impacting your soil? How do these influences make faith harder? How do these influences help your faith grow?
Bless
1. What do you think God has planted in your heart? For what purpose do you think God has planted you in this world, here and now? What are ways that you feel like you’ve “produced a harvest” over your lifetime? Ask family members, friends, or co-workers to share what they have seen God accomplish through you.
2. Plant a seed of faith and encouragement: Tell at least one other person this week about how their life of faith has blessed you, and thank them. Even better, write them a note.
3. Feed the hungry. Farmers plant seeds to grow and bear fruit so that people can eat. Make an extra donation to Community Lifeline, volunteer with Saints’ Pantry, plant a garden, buy a gift card from a local restaurant, or make a grab and go bag, and give it to someone on the street.
