To define a parable.

To teach the purpose of parables in teaching.

To illustrate unknown truths by known truths.

To separate the interested from the uninterested and thereby differentiate between the one willing or unwilling to follow Christ.

To have pupils relate the story of the seed and the sower.

To have pupils tell the four kinds of ground illustrated and their meaning.

To teach that every Christian should be a church member.

To show the importance of being a dedicated Christian and Church member.

To teach the value of prayer when in need as the disciples did. Vs. 38.

Note: They took their need to the right person. Mark 11:24; James 4:2.

INTRODUCTION: A parable is "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning": Literally it means a 'casting alongside'. Often when Jesus wanted to teach a great spiritual truth, He would teach it by using a practical human illustration. This is an effective method of teaching. Teach a new or unknown truth by a known truth. Jesus was the Master teacher. It is easy to forget a doctrine or an argument but you can never forget the stories of Jesus.

Eg. The Prodigal Son, The Lost Sheep, The Rich Man who went to Hell, etc.

Now in this chapter, Jesus teaches three of the four parables that are recorded in Mark. When He finished them, He showed His disciples in a magnificent way His power and this even increased the emphasis of His teaching as we shall see. Let's examine each parable.

Vs. 1&2 -- The seaside refers to Galilee. The crowd was so great and they pressed upon Him so that He had to get into a ship so they wouldn't crowd Him into the water.

Vs. 3&4 -- Wayside refers to highway. Eg. Hard ground.

Vs. 5--8 -- There were four types of ground. Hard, stony or rocky, thorny, and good ground. Only one type brought forth fruit. The emphasis in this parable is on the fact of the effectiveness of the message which depends to a great extent on the attitude of the listener. All the seed was good.

Vs. 9 - Jesus impressed the importance of listening and even pursuing what was being said.

Vs. 10&11 -- Jesus gave His disciples, who were more than just the twelve, yet not all of the multitude, some further instructions and deeper teaching. He did this because they wanted to know more. If we would serve Him better, we must learn more and more from Him. Discuss ways of doing this.

Unto these who were His followers were the mysteries (deeper things) to be made known. "But unto them that are without---" There were then as there are now, those who are without (the unsaved).

Jesus taught in parables so that those with willing and receptive (good ground) hearts could learn and understand more. The parables would just whet their appetite to learn more, whereas the unsaved would just turn away. Jesus wanted them converted but they had to want to and their response to the parables showed their unwillingness.

Vs. 13 -- "By saying, "how then will ye know all parables" Jesus is implying in the question that to understand the other parables they had to understand this one". Wuest.

Vs. 14 -- The interpretation: The sower -- anyone who gives out the Word of God.

The seed -- The Gospel Message.

Vs. 15 -"Fowls of the air" of Vs. 4 and Satan and his workers are the same. This could be members of the family, cult workers, false teachers, etc.

Vs. 16&17 -- Some receive the message gladly and quickly but having not been convicted deeply of sin (John 16:7-9) they soon fall away as a result of persecution or affliction.

Vs. 18&19 -- Some receive the message and seem to begin to grow, but soon the care of the world and the desire for riches engulf their heart and they fall away.

Vs. 20 -- Some receive the message, believe (trust Jesus as Savior in a heartfelt manner) and these bring forth fruit. Some more fruit than others. But of all these hearers only of the latter can we definitely say they are saved.

Jesus taught this truth to these followers so that in the days ahead as they proclaimed the message they would not be discouraged at the results. The trouble is not with the sower nor with the seed, but with the heart and will of man.

Vs. 21 -- Jesus had previously taught them that "they were the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14-15). Here again, He teaches that candles are not for the purpose of being hid, but to give forth light. As Christians, we are candles and we are to show forth light (His light) to a lost world. CF. John 9:5. A candlestick refers in scripture to a church, Revelation 1:20. Every Christian ought to be an active worker in the church.

Vs. 22--24 -- We must be reminded as they were that there will be a judgement one day and our failure to give out the Word as we should will be manifest. I Corinthians 3:11-15; Romans 2:6.

Vs. 25 -- Talent, abilities and opportunities may be taken away from us if we are not obedient in our service.

Vs. 26--29 -- Jesus here teaches that when the seed (The Word of God) is given out, we know not to what it may result. But we can know that some of it will spring up and grow and develop into maturity.

One day when God's harvest day comes we will then be able to see the full extent of our labors. So let us not grow weary in well doing. Even if the fruit of our labor seems negligible, this teaches that the Word may grow from the heart slowly and in some hearts it will grow.

Vs. 30--32 -- Here Jesus refers to His churches and their future history. Although starting with Himself and a handful of believers it would grow and spread into all parts of the world. The mustard seed was the smallest seed of the herb family and the mustard plant would grow into one of the largest in the herb family. So Christianity has grown and influenced more than any other religion, the culture and ethical conduct of the world. These (true) churches are the branches. The "fowls" as we have seen refer to Satan and his workers (vs. 15). The unsaved have lodged into the churches and greatly hindered its effectiveness. A church in purity (without unseparated members) is much more powerful than a church encumbered with unsaved, unspiritual and unseparated members. Let's be separated and spiritual and make God's work as effective as possible.

Jesus in this incident, which occurs after His masterful teaching, impresses the disciples with His power and thereby causes His previous teaching to make an even greater impact upon His followers. For He not only speaks with authority but He acts with authority. He is certainly one whom we ought to listen to and follow.

CONCLUSION: Ask some questions on the lesson and thereby crystallize the objectives and high points in their minds.