If you didn’t already know, you surely at least suspected that Jesus’ story about sowing seed wasn’t mainly about farming. When his disciples asked him about the story’s meaning, Jesus made it plain to them (and us) that the different soils actually described different kinds of
people and experiences. The central issue he wanted each person to consider was, “How open is your deepest self to God’s message?”

• What kind of soil are you? How are you responding to God’s message in your life? Scholar N. T. Wright said, “This takes time, and sometimes hard work. A quick glance at the Bible, an occasional sitting in church or a study group and being entertained by some new idea, is probably not enough. Care and thought needs to be put into the task of hearing the word of the kingdom until it has taken proper root.”
• Jesus also outlined, in verses 19-22, three factors that can make the “soil” of our spirit barren, and keep us from responding to Jesus’ love. Which of the three issues Jesus identified has posed the biggest challenge to you in being a Christ-follower? In what ways have you and God already overcome some of those challenges? Which one or two remain the greatest area for your future “cultivation”?