Farming, like fishing, was a common occupation in Galilee. (Matthew said Jesus sat in a fishing boat by the shore to tell this story—cf. Matthew 13:2). At least one farmer was likely in plain view sowing seed by hand as Jesus told his story. Even today, some seed grows, some doesn’t. That was even truer in hand-tilled fields, with the seed thrown out by hand. It was the same seed—the soil made the difference.

• What person or persons played the biggest role in planting the seed of God’s message in your life? Is there anything you wish they had done differently in the planting process, as you look back? What are the main ways that your gifts, talents and temperament equip you to “sow the seed” into other lives?
• Jesus was a master at taking the ordinary activities of everyday people—fishermen, farmers, even parents and children—and using them to teach big ideas about his kingdom, his grace and forgiveness. How easy or hard do you find it to share God’s message without using “church talk” that may not seem to have much to do with “real life”? How can Jesus’ model help you learn to connect God with people’s day-to-day concerns?