TeamMates September 18, 2016 Connect, Become, Impact

Areas of Deployment Preparing for Marriage Marriage Mentoring Re/Engage DNA of Relationships Family Matters Weekend to Remember Greeters Clothing Many others -Martin and Lee are going to discuss Connect and Become but this list indicates some areas in which we either currently serve or can become prepared to better serve. Connect, Become, Impact

Positions Incumbent Mission Team Mates Coordinator Earl Ham Larry Shabe Become Lead Lee Bennett Become Connect Lead Martin Edwards Connect Greeters Lead Robert Lee Social Activities Lead Art Dean Supper Six Lead Sunday Morning Snack Lead Pauletta Fallabel Set Up Lead Roland Smith Jan Smith Tear Down Lead Jim Fallabel Pauletta Fallabel Prayer Request Email Lead Debbie Mellis Team Mates Welcome Package Lead Nancy Shabe Team Mates Roster Lead Jean Guy Audio/Visual Team Frank Helmes Paul Lentz Loch Guy Connect/Become Impact Lead Vacant   Missions Lead Walt Okon Impact Ohio State Students Visit Lead Tony Ohe Clothing Ministry Lead Susan Wyant Connect, Become, Impact

The Parable of the Sower TeamMates September 18, 2016

Introduction to parables Jesus was a great teacher who often used parables (illustrative stories) to teach about life and faith. Here, in the Parable of the Soils, He explained why people respond in various ways to God’s Word. The key elements of the story are the SOWER, the SEED and the SOILS. Below is a shortened version of Matthew 13:1-23. Also found in Mark 4 and Luke 8. Do you know why He used parables?

The edited text from Matt. 13 The sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty and some thirty....

First table talk (8 minutes) Anyone want to share what you think Jesus was talking about here? Imagine yourself being with Him and the other disciples perhaps surrounded by quite a crowd. Talk about each kind of soil and its problem or potential.

Does Jesus’ explanation help? "Listen to what the story about the farmer means. 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 one on whom seed was sown beside the road. “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, and when affliction or persecution arises....immediately he falls away.

Does Jesus’ explanation help? -2 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears much fruit.” “He who has ears, let him hear!”

2nd Table talk (8 minutes) Does Jesus’ explanation make it clearer what these types of soil are? What is His point? And why does He throw in that little phrase at the end, “He who has ears, let him hear? Which soil best describes your heart and life right now? Which one do you want?

Questions for personal reflection What are the ‘thorns’ and ‘rocks’ in your life which tend to choke your spiritual growth? Pressure from friends and family, influence of TV/movies/ music, concerns about money, lack of commitment or discipline, a ‘rocky’ home life, suffering that makes it hard to believe in a good God, worries about the future…

What will you do about it? Plow it up(declare bankruptcy) and start over Allow troubles to be fertilizer rather than just ‘rocky times’ Ask God to uproot the thorns of worry and desires of the world in your life Surround yourself with the rich topsoil of a Christian community. Cultivate a refreshing devotional life

In the next 2 weeks Pastor John Parks and his wife will be with us addressing the topic, “Becoming the husband/wife that God intended us to be.” Please be in prayer for them and for yourself, your spouse, and TeamMates as you come ready to listen. Closing prayer