II. Growing Disciples (Mark 4: 21-34)
What other parables did Jesus tell? What does the parable imply about the role of the disciples and the dual nature of God’s work?
In order to understand the meaning of Jesus’ parables, what must we do (24a)? What does “consider carefully what you hear” mean to you personally? what does Jesus’ analogy teach the disciples regarding their attitude toward the word of God (Bible Reading, Bible Study) (24b-25)?
To what does Jesus compare the kingdom of God? What are the characteristics of the seed? What does this parable teach us about the power of God’s word (27)? What can we learn about God’s kingdom from the seed’s independent growth all the way to harvest (28-29)? What vision and conviction does this parable give for the disciples in undertaking the gospel work?
Read verses 30-32. Medidate the parable of the mustard seed. What do Jesus’ questions teach us about the mystery of the kingdom of God? What does the parable of the mustard seed reveal about God’s kingdom? How does this describe Jesus’ gospel ministry (Lk 2:12; Da 2:44; Mk 16:15)?
How did Jesus help the crowd to understand the word (33)? What privilege was given to his disciples (34)? Through these parables, how did Jesus plant faith and vision in his disciples?
What can you learn about the rule and privilege of the disciples?