Stories and Secrets
May 19 | Discipleship Guide
Be Real Together:
Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.
Read Together: Matthew 13:1-23 CSB
This passage begins with many people crowding around Jesus on the shore and he goes into a boat to sit down. He begins speaking to all of these people about sewing seeds and producing fruit, but his disciples are confused and ask him why he is speaking in parables. Jesus response is that the knowledge he has is not for the crowds. He goes on to explain that not everyone who hears his word will understand it, but those who do understand will be fruitful.
The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or DNA.
Parables, stories, and narratives can come from all kinds of places. Jesus' parables are heavenly and meant for to transform us.
Are there cultural narratives that you believe about yourself or the world? How does time in God’s word transform those narratives?
Are there cultural narratives that you believe about yourself or the world? How does time in God’s word transform those narratives?
Use these questions to go deeper with your DNA or for personal study.
1. The first seed doesn’t even make it to soil but instead falls on the path where Jesus explains that His Word is snatched away by the evil one.
Consider this, is there a word that Jesus has for you that you are allowing the enemy to snatch because you would rather not hear it?
2. The next soil is rocky. Jesus explains that persecution and hardship cause those with shallow roots to fall away.
Consider this, Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? What steps can you take in the face of hardship to keep your faith strong?
3.The thorny soil is where Jesus says the word is choked out by other worries of our world.
Do you have idols or worries that you have let into your heart that are stealing your resources (love, time, money, health, etc) from God?
4. The healthy, fruitful soil is those who hear and understand. Remember: You don’t need to sew seeds in your own heart Jesus will do that! Pray to him to break down your idols, to open your heart, to help you cultivate your soil. You are not alone in this.
What do you need to pray for today for Jesus to help you with in order to cultivate fruitful soil?
Consider this, is there a word that Jesus has for you that you are allowing the enemy to snatch because you would rather not hear it?
2. The next soil is rocky. Jesus explains that persecution and hardship cause those with shallow roots to fall away.
Consider this, Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? What steps can you take in the face of hardship to keep your faith strong?
3.The thorny soil is where Jesus says the word is choked out by other worries of our world.
Do you have idols or worries that you have let into your heart that are stealing your resources (love, time, money, health, etc) from God?
4. The healthy, fruitful soil is those who hear and understand. Remember: You don’t need to sew seeds in your own heart Jesus will do that! Pray to him to break down your idols, to open your heart, to help you cultivate your soil. You are not alone in this.
What do you need to pray for today for Jesus to help you with in order to cultivate fruitful soil?
Pray Together:
Take time to pray with and for each other.
Deeper Study:
Enduring Word Commentary: Matthew 13