Assignment for July 18, 2018

1. Re-read the assignment from July 11th and note the answer section in blue.
2. Go through each gospel and write out the verses that deal with the second soil- the rocky soil.
3. What parts are the same? 
    What parts are different?
    What can we learn from each one individually?
    What can we learn from taking them as a whole?
4. What are some other thoughts and questions that come to your mind?

The parable: Differences in bold

Mark 4:5-6- Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 

Matthew 13:5-6- Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
(Note: Matthew and Mark are identical in both the parable and the explanation parts)

Luke 8:6- Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

Jesus' explanation:

Mark 4:16-17- Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Matthew 13:20-21- The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Luke 8:13- Those on the rocky ground are the ones 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.

Common thoughts: hear the Word, received with joy, have no root

-The root structure of a tree has to be the same size as the tree that we see above ground in order for it to be stable enough to grow. Shallow roots will cause the tree to collapse as growth occurs. Plants need to have deep roots also. Rocks are one of the things that can hinder the downward growth of roots. Plants must have water to survive. Surface water is not enough. Only "water saturated-deep down" soil will offer a steady source of moisture. 

-What are situations that might reveal "rocks" in our hearts?  
From our texts we find 3 things: trouble, persecution and times of testing.
-When these type of situations occur, the way we respond will reveal if there are "rocks" in our heart that need to be removed.
-Any shallowness that we discover in our hearts should be a red flag warning that we have some "rocks" that need to be removed.  
-The first thing to look at when troubles come is not the trouble itself, but how I am responding to it. A proper response will be part of the key to overcoming the trouble. 

A point of clarification: There are rocks that we face in our hearts. These are what this parable is referring to. That is why our focus is on our own hearts.
However, there are also rocks (mountains) that will be outside of our heart, in our path. These are a different type and the Bible refers to them both.  These external rocks would be in the categories of trouble, persecution and times of testing. Our first strategy in seeing a mountain removed by faith remains the same. We have to search our own hearts.

We also spoke of new Christians who can very easily fall away quickly because of "rocks." We have a responsibility to help them through these trials. When we see a new believer full of joy and we have any thought of "Well, we'll see how long this lasts!," we have a HUGE ROCK in our heart that needs to be dealt with. They need our help.

Solutions:
Pick rock. Every year farmers go through their fields and "pick rock" from acres of land that had been thoroughly prepared the year before. New rocks work their way to the surface every year. They must be removed to ensure a good crop. Likewise, "new" rocks will appear in our hearts as God allows them to be brought to the surface. He only allows this when it is time for us to have them removed.

God's promises if we seek Him for a pure heart:

Ezekiel 19-20- I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 36:25-27- I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.