Last time out we talked about the concept of sowing the Word of God in our hearts in order to see growth. Let’s take a look in more detail at the things that get in the way of that growth. The Parable of the Sower is found in Mark 4:3-20. Continue reading
This is part five of my travel log from India. Don’t forget to read parts one, two, three and four first.
This one’s been a while coming, but spurred on by the need to recount our trip at church in a few weeks I’ve decided I’d better get my thoughts in gear.
So Days 4 and 5 of our stay in Mangan brought us to the defining point of our trip, the hike to Sangyong. Now, despite my expectations, we hadn’t done much hiking up to this point, aside from the morning of day 2. This one was a more demanding effort, and began with a 2 hour bus ride, winding up and up the mountain directly opposite Mangan. Continue reading
Mark 4 tells the account of a day in which Jesus, surrounded by a crowd of followers, decides to put out a boat and sit teaching those on the shore. Throughout the course of the day Jesus teaches at least 10 parables to his followers (some are accounted in Matthew 13 and Luke 8).
A number of the parables taught on this day speak about this idea of seed, time and harvest. In fact, the parable of the sower (which we’ll look at in detail in part 2) is singled out by Jesus as being the key to unlocking all of his teachings (v13). Continue reading
In our last study, we looked at how we are made up of three parts – spirit, soul and body. We discovered that once we begin a relationship with Jesus, our spirits are made new. We become a new creation, but we don’t automatically experience change in our physical bodies or our souls (our mind, will and emotions).
“The only way to know what has happened in our spirits is through the Word of God.”
The only way to know what has happened in our spirits is through the Word of God. The Bible tells us the truth about who we really are now that we have become a new creation. Our souls and our bodies still bear the scars of a life lived separated from God. By learning what God tells us about our spiritual selves we can begin the process of renewing our minds to this truth (Romans 12:2). Continue reading
This is the first in a new series of discipleship studies that we are covering in our home group Bible discussions. I’m hoping to document them all online for those who miss a session or want to refer back, but also to share with friends and family the truths that I live my life by. These teachings have changed my life, how I perceive and respond to things and how I deal with difficult times, and I believe they can do the same for you.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Continue reading