The Secret to a Fruitful Life

Begin with Communion.

As your group gathers together, begin by sharing communion as a meal. Feel free to use the following template as a way to structure and guide this time:

1. Pass out the elements. Make sure everyone has a cup of juice and bread. Consider just having one piece of bread that everyone can take a small piece from. If you don’t have bread and juice, that’s okay. Just make sure everyone has something to eat.
2. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Once everyone has the elements, have someone read this passage out loud.
3. Pray over the bread and juice. After the reading, have the Leader or Host bless the food and pray over your time together.
4. Share a meal. Share the rest of the meal like you normally would beginning with the communion elements.

Next, transition to the main discussion for the night by having someone read this summary of the teaching:

The first parable recorded by the three gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke is a parable about seeds. Jesus explains that like a seeds planted among different types of soil by a farmer, the words and teachings from Him are shared among different types of people. Some reject His words and teachings, some don’t allow it to take root, and others give up following the way of Jesus by giving into the worries of this age. But there are a few who hear God’s word, receive it by applying it to their lives, and bear good fruit. These are the people who allow God’s word to confront and convict them, and who reorient their lives in response. In order to be these types of people, we must receive the seeds God generously wants to share with us, and learn to apply them to our daily lives.

Now, discuss these questions together as a Group:

1. If you were able to attend the Sunday gathering or if you listened to the teaching online, what stood out to you?
2. Have someone read Mark 4:13-20 — what stands out from this parable?
3. How would you explain the difference between “hearing” and “receiving” based on Jesus’ explanation of this parable?
4. Which of the 4 soils (Hard, Shallow, Crowded, or Receptive) from Sunday do you relate to the most in this season of life?
5. We learned on Sunday that the “seed” God plants can be many things from God’s word. What “seed” of Jesus’ teaching has been planted in you recently that still needs tending and patience to grow?
6. Has there been a teaching or practice from Jesus that you’ve felt resistance towards lately? Has there been one you’ve been more receptive towards?

Practice

This week, continue to utilize the Missional Wheel in your Witness practice. Here are some ways to do that:

1. If you haven’t already, review the explanation of the Missional Wheel on pages 29-31 of the Witness Guide.
2. Consider putting the lost people in your life into the categories of the Wheel they fit in.
3. Pray for discernment and opportunities to have intentional conversations that move them from one part of the wheel to another.

Pray

Spend some time praying for and encouraging one another.