Connect360: Seeds of Faith

• Lesson 1 in the Connect360 unit “The reMARKable Journey Continues: The Gospel of Urgency” focuses on Mark 4:1-20.

The seed in this parable is pretty amazing—and miraculous. The sower took the seed, walked through the fields of life, passing out seed wherever he or she went. In the explanation of this parable that Jesus gave to his disciples (see 4:13–20), the seed was the word of God. It is the truth Jesus taught us—the truth Jesus showed us.

The seed has life in itself. Jesus did not say we have to make seeds germinate. He said we need to get the seeds out to those who need God’s divine life to break forth in their lives.

God’s word accomplishes what God sends it to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11). Hebrews says it is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12).

Our task is to sow seeds, plant God’s word into the lives of others (James 1:22). Put God’s word into practice, do what God teaches us to do, and share what we know whenever we get the chance.

We are called to be seed planters. It is God who can make that word and seed come alive, bringing forth life and vitality to the person who now has possession of the seed.

The seed has innate life and power within it. No matter what soil the seed landed upon in this parable, and in Jesus’ explanation of the parable, the seed had potential life within it. The seed that fell on the busy path got swept aside, eaten by birds, or stolen by Satan. But in the other three soil scenarios, the seed sprouted. God’s word has life in it and produces life through it.

The only limitation of the seed is not being distributed by Jesus’ followers. Salt in a saltshaker makes no impact on food. The salt must get out of the saltshaker and come in contact with what it must salt. When that happens, pizazz happens, increasing zestful flavor.

In the same way, we must get the seed out of the bag, passing it on to others, making an impact in their lives. The seeds may not sprout immediately, but that is not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to plant the seeds in other people’s lives.

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