Central Truth

It is only through God's Word that we are able to bear fruit in our lives and be sanctified.

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Reflections

I must say that one of my favorite things to do is spend time with my junior high girls’ small group. You might even say I like to live vicariously through them a little bit. I loved junior high, and I love being able to walk through this exciting time with these girls. There is always tons going on: sporting events, dance practice . . . you name it, and it’s probably happening.

As I see these girls finishing junior high, I’m consistently reminded of what my life looked like during that time, especially my spiritual life. While I became a believer at age 11, I definitely was not producing much fruit in my life for God’s Kingdom (Galatians 5:22). I was much like the seed that was sown on the rocky ground. There wasn’t much depth to my walk with Christ, and it quickly dwindled as distractions came. There was always something to do other than spending time reading the Bible and getting to know who God is.

Jesus says in John 15:2, 6, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away . . . . If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up . . . ." It wasn’t until I was a freshman at Texas A&M that I realized the importance of spending time in God’s Word. By not spending time with the Lord, I was missing out. During this time in my life, I saw how Satan would do anything to steal away my time with Jesus, whether it was through a busy schedule, worrying about my day and things like finances, or simply thinking that I didn’t understand what God’s Word was teaching me.

In John 17:17, Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." I need God’s Word daily to sanctify me and to create fruit in my life. I desire for my life to look like the seed that fell on the good soil and produced a crop one hundred times what was sown.

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Discussion Questions

1. In what ways does Satan steal from your time in God’s Word? What are the things that distract you?

2. What can you do to lessen the distractions that keep you from spending time with the Lord?

3. Which seed is your walk with Jesus Christ like? Was it sown along the path? The rocky ground? Or in the good soil?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Reread verses 8 & 20. Where was the seed able to grow and last?

2. What does the seed represent?

3. What does the good soil represent? Does this soil best represent your heart towards God and His Word?

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