Read Mark 4:1-20 aloud together.

Discussion Questions

1. The story begins with a great crowd coming to Jesus. Why do you think He chose to tell them (and His disciples) this parable?
   
   
2. Re-read Mark 4:10-12. Now compare that with Matthew's account of the story in Matthew 13:13-15.
   
   In light of these passages, if someone were to ask you why Jesus taught in parables, what would you say?
   
   
3. Read Mark 4:4-15, Acts 26:16-18, Ephesians 2:2, and 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.  These passages explicitly show a connection to spiritual warfare in conversion. Do you ever think of someone's resistance to the gospel in this way, or do you tend to just view it as a human thing? Why do you think that is?
   
   
4. Read Ephesians 6:12. If active spiritual warfare was in view of someone you love converting, how would it change the way the way you treat the situation?
   
   
5. Read Mark 4:16-17. Jesus says trouble or persecution comes “on account of the word.” What are some ways that following Jesus might make someone’s life harder?
   
   
6. Have you ever been inconvenienced, marginalized, or rejected because of choosing to follow Jesus? What happened?
   
   
7. Read Mark 4:18-19 and 1 John 2:15-17. 
   Jesus and John both warn against loving the world and its passing desires. Their emphasis are on things that compete with our devotion to God.
   
   Do you ever find yourself going to stuff for satisfaction instead of God? What does that look like?
   
   
8. If someone were to have a spreadsheet that showed them numerically where your time, money, and attention actually go, what would they conclude about what matters most to you?
   
   
9. Read Mark 4:20. All four soils represent people who hear the word. What distinguishes the good soil, and what might accepting the word look like beyond just agreeing with it?
   
   
10. Where have you seen Jesus’ word change someone’s priorities, relationships, or choices over time? Tell us what you noticed.