Mark 4:30-34

 

1. Position yourself to hear God

 

2. Pore over the passage and paraphrase the main points

 

3. Pull out the spiritual principles

 

4. Pose the question

 

5. Plan obedience and pin down a date

Mark 4:30-34 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ³² Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. ³⁴ He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Paraphrase

• Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed
• It is the smallest seed but grows to be the largest plant and big enough for the birds  to perch in it
• Jesus always spoke in parables to the people but to His disciples He explained everything

Principles

• Big is not always better.  Birds signify Satans helpers in this parable
• A form of godliness without the power of the Holy Spirit is not a good thing
• Jesus sought to teach His disciples so that they would have understanding

Questions

• What are our motives for growing our ministries bigger?
• In our ministries are we doing it God's way or our own way?