Leading Growth
“[Jesus] told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen, a sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. Immediately the seed sprang up, because the soil was not deep. But when the sun rose, the seed was scorched. Because it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on good ground and produced grain: some one hundred times, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown.””
A sower went out to sow. Jesus and his church work together to extend his kingdom—that is, we do all we can to point people to the life they were created to live—as Jesus’ friends, under his authority. In every way, we attempt to make Jesus big in people’s lives. Jesus' explanation of the Parable of the Sower, found in Matthew 13:18-23, can serve as a pattern for leading people who are willing to be led—wherever they are on their journey. At each point we instruct, model, practice together, and reflect. We aim people’s imaginations, pointing to Biblical truth, faith, and the Holy Spirit’s voice.
Understanding
When a message of God’s kingdom is offered to someone, they may not understand. Watch for a desire to understand, then go beyond proclamation⏤help them all the way to comprehension.
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the Evil One comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the seed that was sown along the path.”
Depth
Our culture tends to look for shortcuts. We like sticky phrases that can be applied at a surface level, like sunscreen. Disciples of Jesus must chew on God’s message and take it deep into their souls. Here, depth is what holds one’s faith in place when storms or scorching heat come. Watch for faith steps to go deeper.
“The seed that was sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he is not deeply rooted and does not endure. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.”
Growth
Just as disciples should deepen, they should also grow. We want to see them move further into the fullness of God’s kingdom. At the same time, they must be alert to the world’s priorities and anxieties that will threaten to overtake them. Disciples need both a frontier and a machete. Watch for grit⏤a determination to take hold of God’s grace for an adventurous journey.
“The seed that was sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worry of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it produces no fruit.”
Encouragement
A fruitful life and ministry can be exhilarating. And sometimes it can be exhausting, even disappointing. Disciples experiencing fruitfulness in their lives need to be encouraged by other disciples along the way. Watch for an ability to see and celebrate God’s work in and through them⏤with sincere humility.
“But the seed that was sown on the good ground is the one who continues to hear and understand the word. Indeed he continues to produce fruit: some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times more than was sown.”
“Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”
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