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Mark 4:1-9 “The Foolish Farmer”

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4–6 minutes

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee, which offered many advantages for teaching large crowds. Using a boat as his platform, he created a safe distance between himself and the people while also taking advantage of the breeze from the water to the land carried his voice to those gathered on the shore (verse 1).

As Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, he used parables to illustrate his message (verse 2). Since the kingdom of God is not something people can easily experience in their everyday lives, Jesus explained it by comparing it to familiar, everyday things. The Greek word for “parable,” parabole, means “to place beside.” A parable places something alongside another for comparison, helping listeners understand. Jesus often used examples, similes, and metaphors in his teachings.

The first parable Jesus introduces is a story. In this teaching, Jesus describes an unusual farmer who scatters seeds indiscriminately without considering the condition of the soil (verse 3). He throws seeds on the path, rocky ground, and among thorns. Birds quickly eat the seeds on the path. The seeds on rocky ground sprout but wither away because they lack deep roots. The seeds among the thorns grow for a while but are eventually choked and cannot produce fruit (verses 3-7). Much of the seed is wasted. However, some seeds fall on good soil. These seeds grow and produce an abundant harvest, yielding “thirty, sixty, even a hundred times what was sown” (verse 8).

After sharing this parable, Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (verse 9). Hearing is not the same as truly listening, and seeing is not the same as truly understanding. To genuinely listen, one must hear with one’s ears and comprehend with one’s heart. To truly see, one must observe with their eyes and grasp with their heart. Jesus’ parables could only be understood by those who listened with their hearts. The kingdom of God cannot be fully perceived with physical ears or eyes; it is something to be understood and known through the heart.

Meditation:

In Jesus’ parables, there is always an ‘unusual element.’ Understanding this unusual aspect is the key to uncovering the parable’s meaning. In this story, the farmer is extraordinary. He scatters seeds everywhere without considering the condition of the soil. The farmer represents those who spread the gospel, and the seeds symbolize the message of the gospel.

Sharing the gospel is like scattering seeds with closed eyes. It’s not about selectively sharing with those who seem receptive but sharing even with those who may not appear ready. Only God truly knows the state of a person’s heart. As a result, spreading the gospel can often feel like a futile effort. However, among those who hear, some hearts are prepared. Even if they are few, when these individuals accept the gospel, the resulting fruit can be far greater than imagined.

Those who share the gospel must remember that God’s Word is never wasted. Seeds that fall on the path, rocky ground, or among thorns may not bear fruit immediately or may seem to die. However, even when sown into unprepared hearts, God’s Word never truly dies. At the right time, the life within that Word can awaken and flourish.

From this perspective, this parable primarily encourages those who spread the Word. Gospel sharers must be like the “foolish farmer,” sowing seeds even in unpromising hearts and avoiding expecting immediate results. Just as a farmer needs time and patience between planting seeds and harvesting crops, the fruits of the gospel often require time and perseverance to grow and ripen.

Therefore, those who share the gospel should remember Paul’s advice to Timothy: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). Even if there seems to be no immediate result, they must persist in sharing the life-giving gospel whenever opportunities arise. In due time, there will come a moment when they witness a great harvest of fruit and rejoice.

Prayer:

Lord, who calls us to be like the foolish farmer, we confess our desire to be too smart, too calculating. We seek only hearts that seem well-prepared to receive the gospel, and in doing so, we often hold tightly to the bag of seeds you have entrusted to us. Lord, make us “foolish” in sharing the gospel. Help us to sow the seeds of your Word generously and without hesitation so that we may bear fruit to present before you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God calls us to share His love and the gospel with everyone, regardless of whether they seem ready to receive it. Like the farmer who scattered seeds everywhere, we are called to believe that God can bring growth in surprising ways, even when we don’t see immediate results. Sharing the gospel requires patience, faith, and persistence.

  • For Preschool-Elementary
    • Why do you think the farmer spread seeds even in places where they might not grow?
    • What can we do to keep sharing God’s love, even when we don’t immediately see results?
  • For Middle School
    • Why do you think Jesus wants us to share the gospel with everyone, even people who don’t seem ready to listen?
    • What practical ways can you “plant seeds” of God’s love at school or in your community?
  • For High School
    • Why do you think patience and persistence are important when we share our faith?
    • What steps can you take to grow in confidence and faith when sharing about Jesus with others?

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