Worship Guide

Ears to Hear?
Mark 4:1-20
Pastor Jason Carlson

Proverbs 20:12  

Mark 4:1-20 

In the parable of the soils we see: 

1. The drama of the gospel (v. 1-9) 

What are parables?
• An earthly story with a heavenly meaning
• 35% of Jesus’ teaching in the gospels
• Regular objects & circumstances used to illustrate spiritual truth
• Most have to do with the nature of the kingdom of God
• Intentionally provocative
• Reveal the spiritual condition of one’s heart

2. The danger of spiritual deafness (v. 10-12)  

“There is enough light for those who desire to see and enough obscurity for those who desire the contrary.” - Blaise Pascal  

Matthew 13:16-17  

3. The dividend of receptive hearing (v. 13-20)  

Jesus identifies 4 types of hearts (soils): 

1) The dried up heart (the path, v. 15) 

2 Timothy 3:7 

2) The depthless heart (rocky soil, v. 16-17) 

John 8:31-32 

3) The divided heart (thorny soil, v. 18-19) 

Matthew 6:24 

4) The devoted heart (good soil, v. 20) 

1. Bears fruit

John 15:5 

2. Produces even more seed

Acts 1:8
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
1 Corinthians 3:5-7  

Isaiah 55:10-11
Revelation 7:9-10
Matthew 7:7-8   

Sermon Discussion Questions
Questions for reflection:
1. How is your spiritual hearing?
2. Which soil from today’s story is most representative of your life?  

Questions for reflection:
1. What are parables? How do they reveal the spiritual condition of one’s heart?
2. What does today’s parable teach about the nature of faith that leads to salvation?
3. How can we cultivate good soil in our lives? What are some indicators that our soil is healthy?