“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Mark 4:3-8
Today we’re going to be looking at the second response from Mark 4. If you need a refresher on the first response you can read last month’s newsletter here.
Second Response: Get it, but it doesn’t last
- Jesus says the second type of response is to “hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” v. 16-17
- These people don’t put in the time or discipline to grow deep roots, so they can’t stand strong. Often these types of people are criticized for not doing this on their own, but it is the responsibility of deeper, more mature Christians to show them how. A new ‘baby Christian’ may not know how to grow their faith, they may not have many Christian friends to encourage them along the way.
- If you know someone who is a new Christian, come alongside them and help them grow. You don’t have to be an expert on the Bible or have all the answers. You just need to be there for them to pray with/for them and encourage them to seek the Lord and grow deeper in their faith. When doubts and adversity come, don’t leave them on their own to wither.
Dig Deeper
