Study Guide for - Soil of the Heart Summary of this week’s message: All year we are spending time in Luke’s Gospel and his account of the life of Jesus. And what a year it’s been so far. We’ve all experienced something pretty unexpected with Covid-19 and not being able to meet like normal. One thing I’m encouraged by is that this didn’t surprise God. And that this story of Jesus still lives on no matter what kind of darkness covers us. This week is a unique and creative message filmed on location from a field. It’s all about soil! In fact, this was a pretty common illustration for Jesus to talk about the “soil condition” of the heart. It’s a very creative idea Jesus has that translates right to even modern day. Let’s dig into the Parable of the Sower and what it means. SERMON STUDY & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Discuss It! Answer these questions together as we begin. 1. What do you know about soil and soil types? 2. What has been the most challenging thing during the social distancing? 3. What has been the greatest thing during the social distancing? 4. How has our journey through Luke impacted you so far this year, especially during these unique items in our world? Read Luke 8: 4-8. Then, discuss the following together as a family, group, or call someone and talk it through. 1. What do you know about soil conditions and what it does to seed? 2. How does that parallel with your own life? 3. Why does Jesus use word pictures and parables like this? How can we do the same today? 4. Why do these kinds of stories grasp and keep attention? Why should we still use them today? Read Luke 8: 11-15. Then, discuss the following together as a family, group, or call someone and talk it through. 1. How can you move from interested in Jesus to an “imitator” of Jesus? 2. What obstacles stand in your way that maybe make the soil of your heart not conducive to the fruit that Jesus wants to grow there? 3. Craig hits the question that you can discuss in your groups: “What kind of soil are you?” 4. What is God showing you through His word and what will you do about it? of 1 2