The Hidden Kingdom - Pt 9: "Bearing Fruit"

In this week’s message, we explore the parable of the soils that Jesus told in Matthew 13. Jesus describes several ways that we can be ripped off from truly understanding the life-giving words of His kingdom, Instead, He offers a way forward that will produce a fruitful life if we purpose to truly integrate His words into our lives. May we all gain a true understanding of His Kingdom’s power and availability to set us free from the empty kingdoms of this world. Discussion Questions: 1. What stood out to you from the sermon this week? Was there something specific in your life Jesus was highlighting to you? 2. Can you share a specific skill, interest, or passion that you have become proficient in? How did you first get started? What were some key steps to helping you grow? What can you use from that experience to help you grow in Kingdom Understanding? 3. In the parable of the 4 soils, the first 3 types of soil describe different challenges that keep us from growing in our understanding of Jesus’ “kingdom words” - is there one of these, in particular, you have struggled with recently? If yes, can you share an example? 4. What does Paul’s phrase “always learning, but never coming to the knowledge of truth” mean to you? How can we potentially fall into this trap? How can we avoid it and arrive at an understanding of truth that grows us? 5. If understanding equals fruit - what will that fruit look like in our lives? (examples: character development, impact in the lives of others, etc.) How can we better cultivate the growth of kingdom fruit? What if we can’t identify healthy growing fruit in our lives? 6. Consider Warren Wiersbe’s illustration that we learned a few weeks ago of how we can understand and explore the parables of Jesus by viewing the parables as a Picture/Mirror/Window. How can we use this parable as a “window” into co-operating with God’s Kingdom in the lives of others around us?