Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

My dad used to plant a vegetable garden every summer when I was growing up. I can remember following his footsteps as he tilled the soil, pulling up weeds that threatened the health of the plants, shelling peas, and shucking corn. It was hard work, but we enjoyed the fruits of our labor ranging from squash, corn, tomatoes, peas, and watermelon. Some years the garden produced a lot; others, it didn’t. I remember my dad explaining how certain crops needed to be rotated to help ensure the soil wouldn’t get depleted as the plants needed those nutrients to grow, and that the health of the soil helped determine the health of the plant. Nowadays, I’m no farmer and I’ve forgotten most of what my dad taught me as a kid about the whole process, but sowing, or planting seed, is something the people in Jesus’ day would have been much more familiar with. I think that’s why we see in this chapter Jesus spending so much time devoted to sharing a parable about a sower.

As Jesus explains more in-depth what this parable means, He relates the soil in the story to that of our hearts and the seed that is sown to that of the Word of God. From this story, we see four different types of soil or hearts: unreceptive, shallow/lack of depth, hindered/distracted, and fruitful. I think perhaps the most obvious takeaway from this is that we want our hearts to be hearts of good soil—hearts that bear fruit. That is an awesome thing to pray for, and we should! But what does that look like practically? Here are some principles I think this parable gives us.

Firstly, we must receive the Word of God. We need to be consuming a regular, consistent diet of Scripture through reading the Bible, hearing it taught, spending time with other believers, and spending time in worship through song and prayer. In order to bear fruit, the seed of God’s Word must first be planted in our own hearts.

Second, we need to develop roots, or in other words, go deep. In order for roots to grow, they need to be watered. This goes hand in hand with receiving the Word of God, but I think the way depth is developed is through receiving God’s Word with consistency over time. Every little bit adds up, right? Also, this is where study comes in. Many times as we read Scripture, questions arise because we live in a very different culture today than when it was written. Here, we can use tools like Study Bibles and Bible commentaries and ask trusted people like the amazing pastoral staff we have here at Venture Church. Roots help us stay grounded whenever difficult times arise—depth matters.

Third, we need to keep our focus on Christ. Identify what desires in us tend to draw us away from Christ and uproot them, if you will. This was another important aspect I remember my dad going to the garden—pulling up weeds so they wouldn’t choke out the main plant. Find whatever weeds are working their way into your heart and surrender them to Jesus.

Lastly, if we have been faithful in these things, it sounds like our hearts will be like good soil, bearing fruit. But what does fruit do? It reproduces. This means that our hearts—our stories—don’t end with just us, but that God wants to use our lives to impact others and draw them to Himself. So, in other words, as we seek to love God through receiving His Word, developing roots, and uprooting distractions, these things should naturally lead us to love our neighbors and share His love with those around us.

Reflection:

• What are some ways you can develop consistency in receiving God’s Word? Identify a few things—some examples could be listening to an audio Bible on your way to work in the mornings or attending House Church more regularly—and ask God’s help to begin implementing them in your life.
• Identify one small area where you can go deeper. Maybe it’s slowing down your Scripture reading so you can take more in. Maybe it’s investing in a study Bible. Maybe it’s having a conversation with your House Church pastor about a question you have about God’s Word. Whatever it is, spend some time in prayer asking God to help you know Him more deeply and more intimately this week.
• Take some time to ask God to reveal whatever thorns may be distracting your gaze from Him and ask for His help in uprooting them and casting them aside.
• Identify someone in your life you can begin investing in, whether that’s through offering encouragement or inviting them to church and ask God for the courage and compassion to follow through.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Family Application: Mark 4

Author: Nichole McCardle

Today, we are learning more about Jesus’s ministry in Mark 4. In Mark 4:35-41, we hear a story about Jesus calming a storm. Jesus and his disciples were in a boat when an unexpected storm came. The winds blew, and the waves crashed into the boat. The disciples were scared, they thought the boat was going to sink and they were going to drown. Meanwhile, Jesus was sleeping peacefully inside the boat. The disciples thought that Jesus did not even care about them and their safety. They woke Jesus, saying, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus got up and spoke to the wind and the waves and said “Peace! Be still!” With that, the waves and the wind stopped. Jesus cared for his disciples, even when they had little faith that he would keep them safe. We all get scared and anxious. We all have storms in life, hard times, and scary situations. Even if you don’t think Jesus hears your prayers, your pleas, and your cries, know that He hears. He cares. He loves you. He is working on your behalf. Just like He calmed the storm, the waves, and the wind, He calms the storms of life and calms our fears and worries.

• Do you have something that you are anxious or worried about? Try starting each day with a prayer, giving all your worries to Jesus. Remember the story of Jesus calming the storm, and remember that Jesus is more powerful than any problem, fear, or worry that we will ever have.
• Prayer: God, You are so great that even the wind and the waves follow Your command! Thank You for calming the storms of life and accepting my worries! God, help me to come to You in my times of trouble and fear. Amen.