Assignment for July 25, 2018

1. Review the assignment from July 17th. Be sure to read the part in blue.
2. Go through the parable and write out the verses from each Gospel for both the story and the explanation of the "soil with thorns."
3. Note the differences and similarities.
4. What are the basic categories of things that might be "thorns" in our heart?
5. Out of these basic categories can you list some specific examples of thorns from your own life? (You will not be required to share these but it is important that all Bible Study be applied to our personal life. This is the only way we will grow through the Word.)
6. What are some ways to get rid of thorns in our lives?
    What are some ways that we might be able to create an "early detection system" in our hearts to catch possible thorny symptoms before they get too big?

Discoveries

Parable:

Matt. 13:7- Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 

Mark 4:7- Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

Luke 8:7- Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 

Common points:  seed fell among thorns, thorns grew up and choked the plants.
Differences: they did not bear grain
                  This is the goal of the choking: that we bear no fruit

Explanation:

Matt. 13:7- The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 

Mark 4:18- Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Luke 8:14- The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

Common points: hears, worries of life, choked

Differences:  deceitfulness of wealth, desires for other things- riches and pleasures, making it unfruitful- they do not mature

Basic categories of thorns:

1. worries of life
2. deceitfulness of wealth
3. desires for other things- riches and pleasures

Early warning signs of thorniness in our hearts:
1. We worry more than we pray 
2. We make money our goal instead of God
3. We seek pleasures (we are referring to normal God-ordained pleasures not sinful pleasures) more than God. Even good things can choke us if they become out of balance.

Some practical things we can do when worry gets the upper hand:
1. Read the Bible outloud
2. Call a friend for prayer
3. Play praise music and sing along
4. Begin to give thanks

Phil. 4:6-7- "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."  Message Translation