SUMMARY OF STS LESSON 76 - PARABLES OF THE SEEDS

MEMORY VERSE: “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the
kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables” (Mark
4:11).
TEXT: Mark 4:1-41
What is a Parable? A parable is a short story that is used to teach some truth, religious principle or
moral lesson. During Christ’s earthly ministry, we notice different kinds of seekers; (a) curious listeners
who, like the Athenians in Paul’s day, were only interested in hearing something new (Acts 17:21), (b)
those that were drawn by sheer crowd effect and had no definite purpose for being in the gathering
(Acts 19:32); (c) those who came because of what to eat (John 6:26). Among Christ’s audience, there
were disciples who truly wanted to learn and obey the truth. To this small crowd, Jesus taught the
principles of God’s kingdom in parables. He used simple stories to wrap up deep and profound truths
which would be understood by those who sincerely sought after God. Our text today records the parables
of the sower, the seed and the soils (Mark 4:1-8,13-20); the lamp (Mark 4:21-25); the unnoticed growing
seed (Mark 4:26-29): and the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32). QUESTION ONE: Why did Jesus speak
in parables?
1. THE SOWER, THE SEED AND THE SOILS IN THE KINGDOM
Mark 4:1-25; Matt 13:1-9,18-23; Luke 8:5-15; Eccl 11:6; Gen 15:11; Hos 10:12; Psalm
1:1-4;92:13-15
In the parable of the sower, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a farmer who sowed by scattering
seeds on the farmland. The seeds fall on different portions of the field. The seeds sowed on the
“wayside”, “stony ground” and among “thorns” were all unproductive. It was only the “good ground”
that produced varying degrees of fruit. This parable teaches;
i. The necessity of hearing and understanding the word of God for a person to develop and bear fruit
in God’s kingdom.
ii. It shows the importance of continuing in the Word without getting entangled with the world, otherwise
the tender life produced by the seed will be choked.
Invariably then, it is not enough to hear the word of God or grow in Christ only for a while, God expects
those who receive His word to bear fruit (Isaiah 5:1-7; Mark 11:13,14; Luke 3:8,9; 13:6-9; John 15:1,2).
Jesus interpreted the parable as thus; The sower represents the preacher, the seed is the word of God
and the soils symbolise the different kinds of hearers. On the great field of the world, the word of God
is dispersed to all. QUESTION 2: What can a believer learn from Christ’s explanation on the
parable of the sower? Christ reveals causes of fruitlessness of those who are exposed to the gospel.
➢ The “way side” hearers do not pay sufficient attention as they are distracted by the beehive of traffic
and passers-by. They are casual, nonchalant listeners to the word of God. People who hear the
word but do not understand have hearts like the wayside seed where the seed is exposed and easily
snatched away by the devil.
➢ The second category are those whose hearts are hardened underneath though they present a good
front. They receive the word with zeal and joy but at the slightest temptation, trial or persecution,
they fall away just because they are not deeply rooted and cannot endure any stress on account of
their obedience to the Word.
➢ The third category are those whose hearts are likened to a thorny ground. The word they have
received is on the verge of producing fruits but the cares of this world, desire for riches and lusts,
acting as spiritual thorns, choke the word and make it fruitless.
From this parable, we can identify some factors that hinder growth and fruitfulness in the kingdom of
God.
i. First is a careless disposition to God’s word. Anyone who fails to make necessary effort to hear,
understand and practise the word of God will not grow or bear spiritual fruit.
ii. Second is the hardness of heart. The Bible teaches that the heart can be hardened through unbelief,
repeated sinning, impenitence, pride, and deceitfulness of sin (Exo 9:34; 2 Kings 17:14; Dan 5:20;
Mark 6:52; 8:17; 16;14; Acts 19:9; Rom 2:5; Heb 3:13).
iii. Third, worldly cares and encumbrances, worldliness and inordinate pursuit of riches can make a
seemly growing believer stifle the growth of the fruits of the Christian character. (1 Tim 6:9,10).
QUESTION 3: What factors can hinder growth and fruitfulness in the kingdom of God?

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The word of God produces fruit only on a “good ground”. This represents a heart that seeks after God.
Hearts that are earnest, honest, sincere and patient in their pursuit after God; they endure all
circumstances and vagaries of life, weather conditions and eventually produce fruits of righteousness,
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, soul-winning and
effective service in God’s kingdom. The truth of God’s kingdom is precious and it is sought after only
by those who know its value.
2. SILENT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEED
Mark 4:26-34; John 6:63; 15:1-5; 1 Cor 3:4-7; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; Job 8:7
Jesus used two other parables to illustrate growth and development in the kingdom. The parable of
the seed growing secretly teaches that the growth of God’s kingdom is like seed planted, but growing
without human aid. The Word has the power to produce a new life in those who receive it. Jesus said:
“…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Here, the
emphasis is on the potency of the seed and its ability to reproduce in a way man cannot explain. The
seed growing secretly points out God’s power in producing it. The sower may sow the seed and another
may water it but the increase comes from God. Apostle Paul made this clear to the Corinthian church
in 1 Cor 3:4-7.
Again, the Lord compares the kingdom of God to as seen in Mark 4:31,32. The parable of the mustard
seed foretells the expansion of the kingdom as seen in the remarkable growth of the church. It contrasts
the small and insignificant beginning of the church with its phenomenal growth to the extent it
becomes a place of refuge to many. Believers should not despise the day of small beginnings but we
must rely on the promises of God that: “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a
strong nation… though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase”
(Isaiah 60:22; Job 8:7). “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they
were able to hear it” (Mark 4:33). Preachers of the gospel should learn from Christ how to use words
and illustrations that are easy to understand in their messages. They should do audience analysis to
know what their audience will understand and digest easily. QUESTION 4: Point out the major
instructions from the parable of the seed growing secretly. QUESTION 5: What should a gospel
minister learn from Jesus’ Ministry?
3. STORM AT SEA CALMED BY CHRIST
Mark 4:35-41; Matt 8:22-27; Luke 8:23-25; Psalms 89:6-9; 107:23- 31
After dismissing the multitude, Jesus and His disciples crossed the sea of Galilee or lake of Gennesaret
in a boat. While on their journey, a life-threatening tempest arose. Meanwhile, Jesus slept at the
backside of the boat and the disciples had to wake Him when they could not deal with the situation
any longer. Jesus arose and simply rebuked the raging storm and there was a great calm. Afterwards,
He reprimanded the disciples for their lack of faith. How could they ever imagine that the storm would
sink the ship with their Lord and Master in the boat with them. This striking miracle throws up a
number of lessons for believers.
i. It confirms the humanity of Jesus Christ. He had been preaching all day; weary and tired, so He
slept.
ii. It demonstrates His obedience to and proves His divinity.
iii. Implicit obedience to Christ’s command or even His presence with us, does not preclude a storm
arising in the journey of life. That we are following the Lord will not guarantee a smooth sail all the
time.
iv. There is a common temptation to doubt the Lord’s care whenever we face danger or difficulties. This
temptation is stronger when our prayers are not answered and Christ seems asleep or unconcerned
about the storm in our marriage, finances. Health or spiritual life. But, remembering His faithfulness
in the past and His promises concern our future, we ought not to doubt His love and care.
v. It teaches us that with Christ’s abiding presence, no storm of life can sink the boat of our little ships
on the sea with Jesus also benefited from the miracle.
vi. In the journey of life, we must ensure Christ is present with us. Otherwise, when storms arise, there
will be none to deliver.
QUESTION 6: How does the stilling of the storm manifest the dual nature of Christ? QUESTION
7: What can believers learn from the miracle of the stilling of the storm?

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