3. The Bible is a remarkable book. Millions of copies are bought each year. It has been the number-one bestseller for decades. But tragically, the Bible is said to be the least-read bestseller of all time.

4. Dusty Bibles always lead to Dirty Lives.

5. Whenever God’s Word is presented before any audience, the lessons of The Parable of the Sower take effect. The power of God’s Word to transform a person is in direct proportion to the condition of that person’s heart.

6. Make sure that your heart is like fertile soil in which God’s Word like seed germinates, takes root and produces fruit of various kinds and measure.

7. Of the many parables Jesus taught, this one is mentioned in three gospels [Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23; Mark 4:1-9, 14-20] and given the precise interpretation. There are four kinds of surfaces or soils—four types of heart conditions — upon which the seed falls.

8. Road Soil: Hardened Heart (vv. 5, 12)

9. 1. Road Soil: Hardened Heart (vv. 5, 12) a.These are those who hear the message but the Devil snatches away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Did you note what the Devil does?

10. 1. Road Soil: Hardened Heart (vv. 5, 12) b.Reading and receiving the Word and believing in Jesus lead to eternal life (John 5:39-40; 20:30-31). c.If you have heard the good news but the Devil snatched it away, listen to it again.

11. 1. Road Soil: Hardened Heart (vv. 5, 12) d.Another trick by the Devil is to distort God’s Word with the intent to deceive (Luke 4:9-13).

12. Stony Soil: Shallow Heart (vv. 6, 13)

13. 2. Stony Soil: Shallow Heart (vv. 6, 13) a.These are those who “receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away” (v. 13).

14. 2. Stony Soil: Shallow Heart (vv. 6, 13) b.Just because one receives the Word with joy does not guarantee its lasting benefits. c.Jesus cited how human traditions nullify the power of the Word to take effect (Mark 7:9-13).

15. Thorny Soil: Crowded Heart (vv. 7, 14)

16. 3. Thorny Soil: Crowded Heart (vv. 7, 14) a.These are “those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (v. 14).

17. 3. Thorny Soil: Crowded Heart (vv. 7, 14) b.Even now as you listen, worries and pursuit of riches can choke the Word’s potential to bear fruit.

18. Good Soil: Fertile Heart (vv. 8, 15)

19. 3. Good Soil: Fertile Heart (vv. 8, 15) a.These are “those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (v. 15). b.Understanding God’s Word and deciding to obey it leads to godliness and productive living.

20. 3. Good Soil: Fertile Heart (vv. 8, 15) c.We can count how many seeds there are in one apple but we can never predict how many apples there are in one seed.

21. GUIDELINES 1.Set aside a regular time. Unless you schedule it, you'll neglect it. 2.Before you start reading, ask God for help and understanding. Haddon W. Robinson

22. 3.Carefully think about what you are reading. The treasures of the Bible seldom lie like pebbles on the surface. To mine the gold, you have to dig. Haddon W. Robinson GUIDELINES

23. 4.Before you decide what a passage means to you, try to understand what the author was saying to the original readers. Haddon W. Robinson GUIDELINES

24. 5.Write down at least one truth or principle you can put into practice. Haddon W. Robinson GUIDELINES