Shallow Heart

Goals for this Week’s Study:

o  Review Pastor Daniel’s sermon from Sunday morning.

o  Help group members (especially new members) get to know one another.

o  Share how God has been growing you through the next steps you have been taking!

 

Getting Started:

 

Open your group with prayer.

 

Ice Breaker: If you had to be any farm animal, what would you be and why?

 

Scripture:

- “One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” – Luke 8:4-8

- “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.” Luke 8:11-13

- “But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” – Psalm 1:2-3

- “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

- “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

- “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:6-7

- “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” – Ephesians 3:16-17

 

Sermon Notes: Take time to let everyone share some of the notes they took or anything that stood out to them from the message. Use this time to get everyone in your group talking (a good tip for this situation would be to go around the room and have everyone share one thing that stuck out to them from Pastor Daniel’s sermon)! Keep in mind, not everyone may feel comfortable talking yet, so try your best to help assist them in any way you can!

 

 

Study Questions

  1. Read Luke 8:4-8. Which type of soil did we talk about this week? (The shallow, rocky soil)
  2. Pastor Daniel shared that whether the seed God plants in our life grows or not is based upon the environment that it falls in. Do you feel like you have a healthy environment for God’s Word to grow?
  3. We learned that if we want to grow upward we have to grow down! What is one way that we can establish a deeper root system? (Spending time in God’s Word!)
  4. For a lot of us, it can be difficult at times to remain in God’s word every day. What are some of the major hindrances that you’ve faced?
  5. What is meditation? What comes to your mind when you hear that word? (“Chewing” on God’s Word until you receive every bit of nutrients that you need!)
  6. Meditation is key to maintaining a deep root system in our relationship with God. How can you begin to meditate this week?
  7. How can your Group help you with this?

 

 

Final Thoughts:

  • The shallow heart is a hurried heart!
  • If we want to grow up we have to grow down!
  • Don't be more focused on the fruit than the roots!
  • Meditation is getting every ounce of nutrients from the Word of God!

 

 

Pray Over Your Group!

Pray over all prayer requests and the next steps that will be taken this week. Take a little extra time to pray for the unity of our country and for all who will be involved and affected by Operation Christmas Child!

Zach Hacker