Cross Impact Campus Bible Study 2016 real discipleship Cross Impact Campus Bible Study 2016

Week 11: Listen Up! The Disciples’ Most Important Skill Luke 8:4–21

Introduction We live in a world where people like to talk but don’t like to listen A big part of being a Christian is the willingness to listen to God’s truth as it is spoken and respond to it.

"“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you." (Deut 4:1 NASB) Listening to God

"Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: “Hear [listen], O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I am speaking today in your hearing, that you may learn them and observe them carefully." (Deut 5:1 NASB) Listening to God

Question Question: How willing are you to listen to the rebuke of truth from the Word of God? How do you respond when you hear the truth of God or when someone (who loves you) shares truth with you?

The Parable of the Seed and the Soils Luke 8:4–15

Luke 8:4 (NASB)   When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 “Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 “Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8 “Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” The Parable

Observation Description of the soil Result of seed being sown there Why the result (if given)? Fell beside the road Trampled under foot; the birds of the air ate it up It couldn’t find seed Fell on rocky soil Grew up but withered away Because no moisture Fell among thorns Thorns grew up and choked it out Choked because of other things growing. Fell into good soil Grew up, produced crop  

Thoughts/questions What elements of the parable are variables (what changes from scenario to scenario)? Soils change and response changes. What elements are constant (do not change)? The sower and the seed. What do you make of this parable? Any other details stand out?

Luke 8:9 (NASB)   His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. 10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. The Meaning

11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God 11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. The Meaning

Application What do you think? Is it possible that these soils might be any person’s heart and the soil might be any truth from God? In other words, could you see yourself being the rocky soil? Or the soil with thorns? What do you think is the point of Jesus’ parable to his disciples? What can you do to make sure that your “soil” is ready for the word of God?

The Parable of the Lamp Luke 8:16–21

"“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light." (Luke 8:16 NASB) The Parable

"“For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light." (Luke 8:17 NASB) The Meaning

The Meaning (Questions) What point does Jesus make with this statement? Think about what he is saying in relation to the parable he has just given. What is the thing that was hidden which “will be known”? How is this both an encouragement and a warning?

Luke 8:18 (NASB) “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” 19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” The Application

The Application What does Jesus say in this warning to his disciples? Why is it not enough just to hear God’s word spoken?

Concluding Thoughts

To be real disciples of Christ, we must not only hear the word of God, we must prepare our hearts so they are receptive to it! Only by believing God and acting on His truth can we see a benefit (8:8).

Finally, the most important part about being a disciple is that we must not only hear and believe, we must also do. Christ says that those who “hear the word of God and do it” will be considered the family of God.

This doesn’t mean that you are saved by hearing and doing God’s will; rather, it means that you will be identified by others as a child of God when you act in accordance with His will. This is how people will know which family you belong to.

Questions Are you willing to put yourself in places where you are exposed and confronted with God’s word on a regular basis? Bible studies are good, but what about church? Do you ever talk with friends about God’s word—and not just the encouraging parts but also the parts that are confrontational? Do you have a regular personal time that you spend reading God’s word? Do you have a plan for regularly reading and applying God’s truth to your life? If you don’t, you probably won’t find time to do it.

Questions (cont’d) How do you respond to the truth of God’s word when it is given to you? Do you actively listen? Or do you just hear it? What strategy do you have for retaining the truth of God’s word? Are there things in your life (like sin) that are keeping you from hearing and internalizing the truth from God?