Today's podcast is the second of a three week series on Matthew 13. Last week we began asking the question: What is God like? And how can we know?
The Bible tells us that Jesus is everything we need to know about God AND about being human. So we can know what God is like by reading, not only stories about Jesus, but also by the stories Jesus told: parables. And Matthew 13 has eight of these parables all packed into a few verses.
Last week we looked at verses 1-23, including one of Jesus’ more well-known parables—the one that compares God to a Farmer who plants in rocky soil, thorny soil, and good soil. We also looked at the nature of parables themselves, and why Jesus might have chosen this format to teach what God is like. And we looked at some of the layers of understanding that parables draw out—how to be better soil, maybe; but also how to ask better questions, and how to recognize God at work all around us.
Today we are going to look at three more parables in Matthew 13:24-43. As we open ourselves to these parables, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will plant and nurture seeds of faith and love in your heart. That you will experience and come to know more deeply the God who created you, who loves you, and made you on purpose, for a purpose.
--Doug
Faith Shelton website
What God is Like, Part 2 (Matthew 13) Study Guide
Matthew 13:24-43
· What word, phrase, or idea captures your attention?
· What is one thing you would like to ask a biblical scholar about this passage?
· What is God inviting you to do in response to this reading today?
Galatians 5:22
· Which fruit of the Spirit is easiest for you? Hardest? Why?
· Based on what you have read in Matthew 13, write down three words to describe what God is like. Do any of these surprise you?
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· Read Galatians 5:22. List the eight fruits of the Spirit. Circle the one that is easiest for you. Underline the one that is hardest for you right now.
· Think about ways to nurture the fruit that is easiest for you. Invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen and grow this fruit even more.
· What are some weeds in your life right now? Are these weeds something you think you need to root out right now, or are they weeds that you need to “aphe,” (forgive), leave alone for now, focusing instead on what the Spirit is growing in you?
· What percentage of your energy is being spent paying attention to weeds versus growing in God’s field? What would it look like to shift that percentage more toward the later?
· How can you share, offer, encourage others this week with your fruit of the Spirit?
· Is the Spirit inviting you to forgive someone?
· Pray for our schools, teachers, and students as we all try to figure out what education in a time of pandemic looks like. Think about ways that you or a group you are part of can support or encourage parents, families, and teachers.
