NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.
3 “And He spake to them many things in parables, saying, 4 Behold, the sower went forth to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured 5 them; and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth; and straightway they sprang up, because 6 they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.”
Verses 18-21.
18 “Hear then ye the parable of the sower. When any one 19 heareth the Word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the 20 wayside. And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the Word, and straightway with joy receiveth 21 it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, straightway he stumbleth.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of a sower? Where did he go? For what purpose? Where did some of the seed fall? What became of it? Other seed fell where? How soon did this grow? Why? What effect had the sun upon this? Why did it wither?
2. What are we asked to hear? Verse 18.
3. In this verse what corresponds to the fowls by the wayside? Away from whom does he catch the seed?
4. What has made the heart of the wayside hearer hard, like the beaten path? Ans.—Selfishness, ingratitude, blindness, hardness of heart, deceived by sin, etc. See Rom. 1:21; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rom. 11:7, margin; Heb. 3:13.
5. In this condition, how do they treat the Word?
6. What gives Satan an opportunity to catch it away?
7. Has Satan any assistants in this work? Ans.—“He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth.” Matt. 12:30. See note.
8. Who receives the seed into stony places? How does such a one receive the Word?
9. What is lacking? How does he become offended? What is understood by the word “offended” in this connection?
10. Does an immediate acceptance of the Word when it is presented, necessarily prove one to be a stony-ground hearer? Matt. 4:18-22, etc.; see also note.
11. Does the fact that one is in the condition of the wayside hearer, or that of the stony-ground hearer, show that there is no hope for him?
“Wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.
NOTES.
SATAN has many helpers. Many who profess to be Christians are aiding the tempter to catch away the seeds of truth from other hearts. Many who listen to the preaching of the Word of God make it the subject of criticism at home. They sit in judgment on the sermon as they would on the words of a lecturer or a political speaker.
It is not because men receive the Word immediately, nor because they rejoice in it, that they fall away. As soon as Matthew heard the Saviour’s call, immediately he rose up, left all, and followed Him. As soon as the divine Word comes to our hearts, God desires us to receive it; and it is right to accept it with joy. “Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.”
