- We will have our annual congregational meeting Sunday following worship. We will hear reports from the pastors, clerk of session and the treasurer.
- Presbyterian Youth Fellowship will resume meeting Sunday January 17th 5:30 to 7. Dinner will be provided.
- Kids for Christ will resume meeting Tuesday January 26th 3:30 to 5.
- Our 1st Session meeting of the year will be Tuesday January 19th.
Scripture for Sunday
Mark 4:3-20 (ESV)
"Listen! A sower went out to sow. [4] And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. [5] Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. [6] And when the sun rose it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. [7] Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. [8] And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." [9] And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
[10] And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. [11] And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, [12] so that "they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven." [13] And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? [14] The sower sows the word. [15] And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. [16] And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. [17] And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while. Then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. [18] And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, [19] but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. [20] But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."
Questions for Reflection
- What three words would you use to describe your spiritual life?
- To what was Jesus referring when He said, “The farmer sows the word”? (4:14)
- What did Jesus want us to understand about God from this parable? (4:14-20)
- What are some obstacles that prevent people from accepting the gospel or hanging on to their faith? (4:15-19)
- What happens to those who hear the truth about Christ and accept it? (4:20)
- What kind of soil do you think represents you?
- What can you do to increase your fruit as a Christian?
