The Lord spoke this parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.” And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for other they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

“And for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” As Jesus said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

1. What kinds of soil did the seeds that the farmer sowed land on?

2. What is the seed in this parable?

3. What did the kinds of soil represent?

4. What kind of soil are you? What kind of soil would you like to be?

5. What can you do to make your heart honest and good so that it can bring fruit?