Lesson 3:

The Parable of the SowerThe Parable of the Sower

The Parable of the Sower:The Parable of the Sower:The BackgroundThe Background

• Jesus had healed a blind and mute man who Jesus had healed a blind and mute man who was demon-possessed (Matt. 12:22)was demon-possessed (Matt. 12:22)

• The miracle aroused interest/amazement and The miracle aroused interest/amazement and controversy/skepticism (12:23-24)controversy/skepticism (12:23-24)

• Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their unbelief Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their unbelief (12:38-45)(12:38-45)

• Jesus taught that whoever does the will of His Jesus taught that whoever does the will of His Father is His brother/sister/mother (12:46-50)Father is His brother/sister/mother (12:46-50)

• Jesus taught great multitudes (13:1-2)Jesus taught great multitudes (13:1-2)

Mt. 13:3-8, 18-Mt. 13:3-8, 18-2323

Mk. 4:3-8, 14-Mk. 4:3-8, 14-2020

Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15

The Parable of the Sower:The Parable of the Sower:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• The SowerThe Sower– The sower went forth to sow, as was The sower went forth to sow, as was

common in those days common in those days – Initially, the sower represented Christ, who Initially, the sower represented Christ, who

went out teaching and sowing the Word.went out teaching and sowing the Word.– In application and principle, it is the In application and principle, it is the

responsibility of every Christian to be the responsibility of every Christian to be the sower, sowing the seed of the kingdom (cf. sower, sowing the seed of the kingdom (cf. Acts 8:4).Acts 8:4).

Mt. 13:3-8, 18-Mt. 13:3-8, 18-2323

Mk. 4:3-8, 14-Mk. 4:3-8, 14-2020

Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15

The Parable of the Sower:The Parable of the Sower:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• The SowerThe Sower– Some Truths for the SowerSome Truths for the Sower

• He must sow the seed and leave the increase to He must sow the seed and leave the increase to God (Isa. 55:10-11; 1 Cor. 3:6).God (Isa. 55:10-11; 1 Cor. 3:6).

• He must sow at all times, not waiting until He must sow at all times, not waiting until everything is favorable (Ecc. 11:4-6; 2 Tim. 4:2).everything is favorable (Ecc. 11:4-6; 2 Tim. 4:2).

• He must sow, realizing that others may reap the He must sow, realizing that others may reap the harvest (John 4:35-38).harvest (John 4:35-38).

• He must sow on all kinds of soil (Matt. 13:3-8).He must sow on all kinds of soil (Matt. 13:3-8).• He must sow with the right attitude (2 Tim. 2:24-He must sow with the right attitude (2 Tim. 2:24-

28; Eph. 4:15).28; Eph. 4:15).• He must believe in the seed he sows (Rom. He must believe in the seed he sows (Rom.

1:16).1:16).

Mt. 13:3-8, 18-Mt. 13:3-8, 18-2323

Mk. 4:3-8, 14-Mk. 4:3-8, 14-2020

Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15

The Parable of the Sower:The Parable of the Sower:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• The SeedThe Seed– The seed was dispersed by the sower.The seed was dispersed by the sower.– The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).– The seed, representing the Word of God, is that The seed, representing the Word of God, is that

which contains life (John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23).which contains life (John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23).– The seed always produces after its kind (Gen. The seed always produces after its kind (Gen.

1:11; Gal. 6:7).1:11; Gal. 6:7).– The seed produced Christians only in the first The seed produced Christians only in the first

century and will produce the same today.century and will produce the same today.– The seed can be mixed (Mt. 13:24-25; Ga. 1:6-The seed can be mixed (Mt. 13:24-25; Ga. 1:6-

9).9).

Mt. 13:3-8, 18-Mt. 13:3-8, 18-2323

Mk. 4:3-8, 14-Mk. 4:3-8, 14-2020

Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15

The Parable of the Sower:The Parable of the Sower:The NarrativeThe Narrative

• The SoilsThe Soils– The soils denote the various sorts of The soils denote the various sorts of

attitudes that men have towards the attitudes that men have towards the gospel.gospel.

– The success of the sowing depends upon The success of the sowing depends upon the soils into which the seed falls.the soils into which the seed falls.

– Hearts must be prepared to seek and Hearts must be prepared to seek and receive the Word (2 Chron. 19:3; 30:19; receive the Word (2 Chron. 19:3; 30:19; Ezra 7:10).Ezra 7:10).

Mt. 13:3-8, 18-Mt. 13:3-8, 18-2323

Mk. 4:3-8, 14-Mk. 4:3-8, 14-2020

Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15Lk. 8:5-8, 11-15