13:5Matthew 13:5

The verse pictures seed falling on thin soil over rock, springing up at once because it has no depth of earth, yet unable to take root so that it is scorched and withers when the sun rises.ST Jun 30, 1881+2 The seed is the word of God sown as heavenly truth, and the soil is the human heart as a garden where character is developed.COL 33.1+4 The stony-ground hearer receives the word readily and with joy and shows quick growth, but resting on feeling rather than settled principle, the enthusiasm fades and is given up when trial, sacrifice, persecution or correction tests the character.TCBMP 140.1–142.1+3 Such hardness need not remain, for the heart must be broken up and made deep by repentance, diligent labor and the uprooting of evil, that the gospel may take deep root.CT 142.2+4 Though much seed falls on shallow soil and yields no fruit unto eternal life, sowing is to continue everywhere in faith and prayer, for good seed may lie dormant until God's grace and Spirit water and awaken it to life.STMW7 4.2+4

Some fell upon stony places where there was not much earth, and sprang up at once because there was no deepness of earth.ST Jun 30, 1881+4 Without depth the seed could not take root, so that when the sun rose it was scorched and withered.ST Jun 30, 1881+4 The seed is the truths of God's grace sown as heavenly grain, and the shallow soil pictures a heart in which the gospel has not taken deep root so that the seed may perish.ST Jan 26, 1915+1

Jesus taught this by the Sea of Galilee, with barren rocks, sowing fields, cultivated land and growing grain in sight.ST Jun 30, 1881+2 He used familiar scenes from nature and daily life to make divine truth plain, and simple illustrations that carried immortal truth and deep meaning.2T 579.2–580.2+2 The natural scene fixed the lesson in memory, so that hearers would be reminded of it when they later saw those things.2T 579.2–580.2+3 Barren rocks on the beach were among the sights that could recall the lesson, and the stony ground itself became part of what held the parable in mind.4RED 78.1–2+1

The verse belongs to the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-12, which was given because the hearers greatly needed it and it is still greatly needed.Ms 116, 1909, par. 1 It illustrates the kingdom of heaven and Christ's work as sower, with Christ scattering His teachings like heavenly grain to be gathered as treasure by minds and hearts desiring light and knowledge.RH Jul 2, 1908+2 It explains the different grounds and varied results among hearers, for the gospel seed reaches different kinds of soil and seed falling on poor soil yields no fruit unto eternal life.2SP 241.1–2+2 The need is for every person to be in a position to understand the precious words of Jesus Christ.Ms 116, 1909, par. 1

The parable uses natural seed-sowing to explain the sowing of gospel truth and to make spiritual sowing plain.COL 33.1+1 The natural seed points to the Gospel seed, leading the mind from earthly seed-sowing to heavenly realities and to the work of bringing people back to loyalty to God.COL 33.1+1 Christ points to nature to make spiritual truth flash into the mind, for things in nature speak eternal truths and call people to heed God's voice, and God working in nature makes the truths of the kingdom of heaven plain.6T 185.1–2+2 This teaching from nature is higher education, throwing back the reflection of heavenly light not on human beings but on Christ, giving glory to the One who enlightens every man that comes into the world, and light to understand the law governing both material and spiritual seed-sowing is given by Christ who came from heaven not to be educated in schools but to educate.Ms 45, 1898, par. 15 Truth thus presented plainly and in contrast with error exposes and uproots errors cherished as truth, and must be planted and cherished in the heart.Ms 30, 1898, par. 5–6

The parable shows the different tendencies of the human heart and the different classes Christ taught.2SP 241.1–2+1 It explains why His ministry had limited immediate results, since people were free to accept or reject Him and were not forced into belief or obedience.2SP 241.1–2+1 It represents different classes of hearers and illustrates the doctrine Christ came to teach, and understanding it required openness to instruction and readiness to believe.2SP 236.3–237.2

The seed is the word of God, the gospel, the truths of God's grace, the living seed and present truth sown as heavenly grain throughout the world.COL 33.1+4 It is the truth the Father and Son deemed essential for salvation, clearly presented in Scripture for instruction in righteousness, including the grand, elevating truths deemed essential, sown as precious jewels that require spiritual eyesight to gather.COL 33.1+2 Presented plainly and in contrast with error, that truth exposes and uproots errors long cherished as truth.Ms 30, 1898, par. 5–6+1 The sowing of natural seed is used to make plain the sowing of gospel truth, leading the mind from earthly seed-sowing to heavenly realities and to the work of bringing people back to loyalty to God.COL 33.1+2

The soil is the human heart, pictured as a garden where good seed of truth or bad seed is sown.CT 142.2+3 The seed means principles sown in the heart, and its growth means the development of character and the bearing of the beautiful fruit of the Spirit under God's husbandry, with His impress molding the mind into graceful symmetry and training crude physical and mental energies for service.CT 142.2+2 As a garden must be prepared for natural seed, so the heart must be prepared for the seed of truth, and as no one settles on raw land expecting it at once to yield a harvest, diligent persevering labor must be put forth in preparation of the soil, sowing of the seed, and culture of the crop.CT 142.2+2 That correspondence between natural and spiritual sowing is to be taught practically, with children preparing soil and sowing seed and learning the garden of the heart as the plant grows, since even little children can have a Christian experience suited to their years.CT 142.2+1

Stony places with not much earth picture a heart that has not been broken up and made deep by hard labor, where the gospel has not taken deep root so the seed springs up quickly but may perish.COL 57.1–2+3 Hardened ground that has not been under the plow or the harrow needs much more labor bestowed upon it and must be broken up, plowed, harrowed, subdued, and brought with skill and painstaking effort into fit condition for planting before it can grow a harvest.11MR 37.1–3+1 Conviction of sin awakening need of healing breaks up the soil of the heart and makes it ready to receive the gospel, while evil tendencies and growths that choke good grain must be uprooted through earnest effort.COL 56.1–2+2 Surface work and haphazard half-effort will reveal itself in failure at harvest, and failure may result from neglect of the soil and from lack of depth and moisture without continued care.11MR 37.1–3+2

The seed of the kingdom has life in it, but it must receive sunshine and living water from the Source of truth to become fruitful.COL 87.2+2 The tender plant needs sunshine and shower, summer and winter, dew, frost, and wind in order to develop and bear fruit, and those who receive the word into good and honest hearts will reap if they faint not, with Christian character formed by grace.Ms 24, 1898, par. 9+1 The stages of plant growth carry further lessons, for seed cast into the ground illustrates death and the blade springing up illustrates resurrection.COL 87.2+1

Hearing the word is not enough if it fails to take root and bear fruit to glory, for distraction and inattention can keep the precious seed from reaching good ground.5T 493.1+2 Whether truth takes root and bears fruit or is overcome is shown by a person's actions, in contrast to lasting growth in which reverence and awe grow into perfect faith and the seed eventually produces an abundant harvest.ST Jun 27, 1878+2 Truth can spring up quickly but lack depth, yet where it takes root in hearts it brings forth fruit.ST Jun 27, 1878+2

The stony-ground hearer takes in the truth at once, readily and with joy, speaking eagerly about faith and hope, with strong first impressions and rapid growth that has no depth or stability.TCBMP 140.1–142.1+4 The seed sprouts quickly in shallow soil because it has no room to take root, picturing a heart that receives with gladness but lacks deep stability and settled rootedness.3T 111.1+2 Such quickness can look promising, yet it remains rootless and unstable when testing comes.TCBMP 140.1–142.1+2

That zeal rests on feeling rather than settled principle, led by emotion instead of firm principle rooted in the heart.TCBMP 140.1–142.1+2 The commitment is divided and half-hearted, with weak Christian purpose and changeable desires in the attempt to serve both self and Christ.COL 49.3–50.1 Like seed without deep soil, such a person does not endure when tried.COL 49.3–50.1+1

When trial, temptation, sacrifice, persecution, opposition, or correction that exposes faults of character arrives, enthusiasm fades and the truth is given up rather than allowed to change and sanctify the character.TCBMP 140.1–142.1+2 The hearer refuses to submit to its transforming work and to be corrected, abandoning the truth instead of being made new by it.TCBMP 140.1–142.1+2 In this way shallow roots fail to endure and fail to develop settled, mature Christian character.COL 49.3–50.1+2

Some are at first stirred and welcome the principles taught, but their impressions soon fade as worldly surroundings, cares, and temptations draw them back to indifference and former sins.4RED 79.2–80.1+1 This is shallow religion grounded in stirred feelings and general belief rather than daily self-denial and spiritual conflict, like seed springing up quickly in shallow soil but withering under scorching trial so that it cannot endure testing.4RED 79.2–80.1+2 The briefly growing seed makes the lesson vivid and memorable.4RED 79.2–80.1

The Pharisees show hopeless, unproductive, profitless stony soil where heavenly truth cannot take root because of self-righteousness and cherished superiority.ST Dec 3, 1912+1 Exalted self claims their faith, honor, and love in self-delusion, while they suppose others at fault, speak strong hard words of reproof and condemnation that crush hope and courage, are full of evil thoughts, suspect even the purest, make a man an offender for a word, and are embittered by the goodness seen in true Christians so that many are defiled.ST Dec 17, 1894 Israel likewise received what was given but failed to bear good fruit, using advantages for self-glorification instead of blessing others and honoring God, absorbing benefits without returning anything in faithful response to instruction, warnings, and responsibilities.Ms 134, 1899, par. 7–9

The same quick, rootless impression appeared in hearers at the diet, where impressions of truth did not last because opposition came, having been received without deep roots and withering when the sun bore down.ST Aug 30, 1883 Surface hearers listen every day without purpose to give entrance to the word, gathering chaff and passing by precious treasures of truth as if of no consequence.Ms 177, 1897, par. 2–4 They emulate the tattling, wicked tongue that broadcasts evil seed, saying perverse things which sow seeds in minds to bear a harvest to the injury of souls.Ms 177, 1897, par. 2–4

Faith that does not lead to persevering zeal and works has not exerted its saving, sanctifying influence, though truth may be received and begin to grow without taking deep root.1T 250.1–2 Careless, pleasure-loving influence produces superficial ideas of Christian character and low spiritual attainments instead of firm formation by God's standard.1MR 379.1–380.1 Self-esteem and an unsubdued, stubborn disposition, with the spirit of the world, choke the seed so it fails to spring up, take root, bear fruit, and produce a changed life.Lt 126, 1893, par. 2+1 A mind preoccupied leaves the seed no chance to take root and grow, whether filled with fictitious reading and trashy tales, with philosophical speculation and scientific conclusions in which God is not acknowledged sowing doubt attractive for its imagined independence until infidelity is reaped, or with evil insinuations weakening confidence and diverting others from the message when temptation comes.YGBCOEP 2.1–2+2

By contrast, a slow, private response can still show truth working toward apparent fruit in a receptive but hesitant heart, as seen in Nicodemus, against the pattern of seed on shallow soil springing up quickly with little lasting fruit.4RED 18.1 Stony-ground hearers also picture hearts that are hard and unreceptive, where the word is not received and cannot take root.Lt 13, 1898, par. 9–10 A heart softened by grace is needed to receive the word and enter the kingdom.Lt 13, 1898, par. 9–10

Hardness of heart that keeps the word from taking root is not beyond control, for people are answerable for resisting the Spirit and can choose what they will become and cooperate with God to be changed.COL 56.1–2+1 Stony hearers therefore need not remain stony, but the heart must be broken up by deep repentance and evil tendencies uprooted by earnest effort in Jesus' name and strength.COL 56.1–2+1

The heart is a garden where good or bad seed is sown, and as a garden must be prepared for natural seed so the heart must be prepared for the seed of truth, which is principles sown in the heart whose growth is development of character.CT 142.2+2 No one settles on raw land expecting it at once to yield a harvest, so diligent persevering labor must be put forth in preparation of the soil, sowing of the seed, and culture of the crop.ED 111.1–2+1 The garden of the heart must be cultivated, its soil broken up by repentance, with conviction of sin awakening danger and need of healing so the gospel can find a lasting place, and the evil growths that choke the good grain uprooted.ED 111.1–2+1 As soil overgrown with thorns can be reclaimed only by diligent labor, so evil tendencies can be overcome only by earnest effort in the name and strength of Christ, with the Spirit refining and disciplining the heart to bear fruit to God's glory.COL 56.1–2+2

Seed falling where there is not much earth pictures a heart not broken up and made deep by hard labor, and the gospel as the Word of God can grow to harvest only where the ground has been plowed, harrowed, subdued, and brought with skill and painstaking effort into fit condition for planting.11MR 37.1–3+1 Hardened soil that has not been under plow or harrow needs much more labor bestowed upon it and must be broken up and subdued before planting, and tilling literal soil to bring out varied properties favorable to seed and fruit shows painstaking effort will be rewarded in the harvest gathered.11MR 37.1–3+1 Truth needs deep, well-prepared soil to find access and grow, so wrongs must be weeded out, the fallow ground stirred up, and hearts given cultivation and firm discipline just as soil needs preparation.Ms 139, 1906, par. 51+1 Surface work and haphazard half-effort will reveal itself in failure at harvest, so there must be intelligent harmonious cooperation of the divine and the human in those who watch for souls.11MR 37.1–3

A stony heart with not much earth that springs up quickly without deepness warns against resting in false hope or slipping over the matter with half-work and trifling with God.Lt 51, 1876, par. 13 The true condition must be seen and felt, the fallow ground of the heart broken up, self died to while connected with God and having Jesus present, and deep digging done.Lt 51, 1876, par. 13 Thorough work must be made and sure building now that will bear investigation of the judgment and meet the record with joy, because eternal interests are involved and a mistake proves ruin.Lt 51, 1876, par. 13 Only when this deep experience is gained can God use and accept a person in His cause and make influence unto salvation.Lt 51, 1876, par. 13

The heart should be won and the soil prepared before truth is sown, softened and subdued to receive the good seed of heavenly birth by the teachings and love of Christ.GW 119.4+1 The seed must be connected with Christ and His redeeming love to win hearers to Him and bring the harvest to God's glory, rather than producing only an early response without lasting fruit.GW 158.1 Truth must be impressed point by point in plain teaching and Bible readings for eternal interest, rather than in long sermons where hearers retain only a few points that lose force, so that when soil is thus prepared and seed carefully planted it will spring up and bear fruit instead of lacking depth and being choked.Lt 29, 1890, par. 10–12 That preparation comes by presenting truth with great care in a dignified, godlike manner from the first establishment of the work, carrying minds along guardedly, dwelling on practical godliness woven into doctrinal discourses, gaining confidence by personal acquaintance, and letting publications, papers and pamphlets prepare minds for preaching, with humble teachable labor leading others in truth and righteousness unto success.Lt 14, 1887, par. 19

The way is further prepared by meeting people where they are without sacrificing one principle, by silent influence rather than open controversy over points of difference, and by not urging peculiar faiths such as the Sabbath and third angel's message before minds know what they mean.HRP 10.1 Brief and interesting prayer and social worship increases mutual confidence, weakens and removes prejudice, and makes hearts feel at home and anxious for further teaching, so that denominational sentiments and essential points of present truth can then be dwelt on with clearness and urged in love and tenderness until necessity of obedience to all God's requirements convicts hearts.HRP 10.1 Personal ministry revealing Christ's love can soften the stony heart so seed can take root, and preaching must be followed by coming into personal contact, observing the interested, speaking to them after service, asking how subjects appear and whether matter is clear, and showing by kindness and courtesy real interest and care for souls.GW 185.1+1 A few words spoken in private will often do more good than the whole discourse, and appealing to them to come to Christ softens hearts and sweeps away prejudice, without which much of a discourse is lost because soil uncultivated by personal labor and unsoftened by the Spirit lets seed fail to root.6T 68.1

The mind as soil must be preoccupied with good seed to prevent growth of evil, kept free from every kind of selfishness and covetousness which is idolatry so grace may rule in the soul temple, for a heart crowded with possessions and business cares shuts out the heavenly message and leaves no room for it.ST Apr 22, 1875+2 The precious seed to be sown in the soil of the mind is Bible truth — rules of holy living, sins to shun, plan of salvation, way to heaven, reasons of hope and faith, and instruction concerning dangers besetting the path and how to escape them — with enough to occupy the mind in growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ amid perils of the last days.FE 164.3+1 Parents must cultivate the untrained mind as an uncultivated field with unceasing care and watchful guard, teaching children to reject trashy exciting tales and turn to sensible reading that leads to Bible story, history and argument and throws light on Scripture and quickens desire to study it, lest the enemy sow tares to spring up to evil fruit.CT 136.4 Knowledge gained by hard study that presses beneath the surface takes root as heavenly seeds planted by the divine Sower, so the Bible student must put mind to the tax to find meaning often lying beneath the surface and not be satisfied with surface truths and only a thimbleful while precious gems are passed by for lack of discerned value.Ms 107, 1897, par. 3

Failure of seed is also tied to hindrance by Satan linked with religionists, with evil angels in human form mingling with hearers to make suggestions and insinuations, criticizing, misapplying, misinterpreting and misconstruing words so words of life lose force.Lt 140, 1903, par. 11–13+1 Christ sowed good gospel seed through parables as the only way He could rebuke sin without causing personal offense, yet where soil was not prepared hearts were not moved and seed did not spring up to bear fruit.Lt 140, 1903, par. 11–13+1 Though many will hear and refuse to heed, warning is still to be given to all in clear plain tones in public assemblies and by house-to-house work, with heavenly angels as companions resisting the enemy's attacks on those cooperating with God.RH Aug 11, 1903

The seed that falls on poor, shallow ground springs up quickly yet yields no fruit unto eternal life, but its failure is no reason for the sower to stop working, for the truth is to be sown in every place even where results are not seen at once.STMW7 4.2+3 The Lord has His own plan for the sowing, moving believers to reach classes they had not planned to labor for in ways and places they had no idea of working, and sowing according to His will multiplies the seed so that His word reaches thousands who have never heard.9T 130.1 The image therefore calls for sowing widely and faithfully so that people may receive the bread of life, even in hearts that receive it without depth and are unable to endure.8T 46.2–47.1

Christ sowed the world with gospel seed as He went from place to place, ministering to temporal and spiritual needs and grasping every opportunity, and His servants and every believer according to ability are to follow that example and labor untiringly to give it to perishing people.6T 323.2–324.1+1 That labor is to be done with care, anxiety, self-denial, continual sacrifice and entire consecration for the good of others, holding the mind of Christ and not becoming weary in well-doing.TBC1872 111.1+1 Fretting and contention disqualify for this work, revealing sluggish spiritual senses, feeble efforts and strong unbelief, while faithful sowing requires arising to responsibility and privilege, spending less on self-indulgence and needless adorning because that money is needed for sacred work, educating children to do missionary work and bring offerings, and awaking to the spiritual character of the work professed.Lt 32, 1908, par. 12 Those called to serve must leave familiar ties and plans, surrender earthly hopes, and endure toil, tears, solitude and sacrifice, laboring unselfishly, earnestly and perseveringly as co-workers with Christ and heavenly angels.TBC1872 111.1+2

The seed is to be spread widely, including in cities and along public thoroughfares, even though it falls on different kinds of soil and does not always bear fruit.Ms 1, 1874, par. 4 Individuals are to labor all along the line in towns and cities, visiting from house to house, becoming acquainted with families, entering social life, dining at tables and conversing by firesides, and those who exercise their talents in this work receive wisdom from Christ with many believers found rejoicing in the truth as the result.HL 274.4 Sowing is also to be done through personal and house-to-house witness wherever people are reached, in rough and difficult and unpromising places, in many fields and localities rather than centralizing means, and in the southern field, with humble workers who carry the gospel respected and encouraged, planting in faith even when present conditions look unpromising with hope for future results.RCOC 114.1–4+3

Particular fields ready for the seed are towns within thirty miles of Cooranbong, Newcastle and Maitland and towns along the line toward Queensland where nothing has been done and the people know not the truth, to be reached through Bible readings and preaching and through a camp meeting on ground provided without cost.Lt 111, 1898, par. 7 In cities such as Boston and New Bedford many opportunities are found for evangelists and Bible workers joined with well-trained nurses going among families to awaken interest in households, leaving work for every energetic, thorough, earnest worker.Lt 29, 1905, par. 18 The seed should also be sown among men of influence in the nation's capital, counselors and senators upon whom rests responsibility for making laws, to exalt Bible truth before them and remove blind prejudice, maintaining every possible agency in the city including a sanitarium at Washington with physicians and helpers who rightly represent the truth, leading to acquaintance with the institutions at Takoma Park.Lt 114, 1907, par. 3–4 In city restaurant work sowing seeds of truth is the first consideration rather than obtaining many patrons, since large daily attendance is no true evidence of success, but success is work by well-defined methods to save souls, lead patrons to interest in present truth, and give spiritual help fortifying helpers and patrons against temptation.Lt 182, 1902, par. 16–20 Missionary boat work likewise sows seeds in many hearts as a home and place to receive the interested, where novelty and curiosity bring many to see and hear, reaching places where the light never shone and where some first see it.STGC 79.1–2

Sowing is done by speech planting truth in many hearts, by courteous conversation gently planting truth in the heart, and by words of Scripture, consolation and hope spoken at the right time.ACSMHFP 3.5+1 It is done broadcast throughout the world by circulating books containing light, placing them in the homes of as many people as possible, persisting even when all are unwilling to purchase and presenting them to businessmen to meet the needs of seekers, so that the seed springs up to bear fruit.RH Jan 27, 1903+1 Workers are to teach people how to present books containing valuable lessons, to loan books on present truth, and to unite in persevering effort under divine guidance while looking to the Lord for aid, with the Holy Spirit attending and angels preparing the way.FE 521.1–3+1 It is the appointed work of lay members as well as ministers through missionary visits, wise distribution of literature, organized companies searching for souls, visiting neighbors and opening the Scriptures, and working in the hedges and in all districts, where perseverance increases aptitude and fruit is seen in saved souls who in turn teach others so the seed keeps being sown.RH Jan 25, 1912

Sowing is also done by true medical missionaries working for restoration of the image of God, carrying in one hand remedies for physical suffering and in the other the gospel for sin-burdened souls.7T 80.1–2 Hearts made receptive by gratitude for restored health under judicious treatment in an institution for the diseased and suffering more readily receive the lodged seed, and in some cases it is nourished, springs up and bears fruit, with one precious soul saved worth more than all the means to establish such an institution.RH Apr 30, 1914 A suffering patient whose heart has been softened can be approached with words of truth and promises, teaching how to preserve physical health creates opportunities to plant the message, and practical kindness such as providing a meal for inquirers sometimes sows truth in inquiring hearts without loss to the giver.CH 372.3–373.1+2 Hospitality, singing and teaching children may later bear fruit even when the outcome is uncertain, and though some sowings do not come to full fruit when hearers lack moral courage to yield and sacrifice all because of the world and unbelieving relatives, some go away with prejudice removed to stand as defenders, some carry the faith into new places and raise the standard where access was otherwise impossible, while Satan and his agents hinder and perplex yet must not discourage or stop the work.RH Apr 30, 1914+1

Good seed may remain hidden for a time in a cold, worldly, selfish heart or careless mind, lying dormant until God's grace and the Spirit water, convict and awaken it to life, when it springs up and bears fruit to God's glory.3T 210.2+3 Workers are therefore to do their work and leave outcome and timing with God, sowing carefully, selflessly, earnestly and persistently in faith, hope and prayer and trusting Him to quicken it to life, with results revealed at the final reckoning.GW92 402.3+3

Seed sown needs continued care lest opposition snatch it away or it wither for lack of moisture because it lacks depth, so nurturing must continue after meetings end and preaching must be followed by personal labor.6T 74.1–2+2 New converts are to be carefully instructed so faith will be firmly established and endure, and after camp meetings and discourses workers are to come into personal contact, observe the interested, speak after the service, ask how subjects appear and whether the matter is clear, and show by kindness and courtesy real interest and care, since a few words in private will often do more good than the whole discourse, appealing to them to come to Christ softens hearts and sweeps away prejudice.AA 186.2–3+1 The sowing succeeds by coming upon people as a surprise and letting them hear for themselves before falsehood, misinterpretation and false reports arm opponents with bitterness, and the same expense and labor after the meeting's influence is felt is more than three times as successful as means used beforehand, because large advertising and distribution of publications beforehand hedges up the way instead of preparing it.Lt 37, 1897, par. 10–11 When the workers walk softly and humbly before God and pray and watch unto prayer, they have cooperation of heavenly angels and Christ works by His Spirit upon hearts to produce a large, deep interest, ripening off the harvest and gathering it in through the Spirit's power.Lt 37, 1897, par. 10–11

Delayed fruit appears when clear and pointed words cut hearers to the heart as seed sown in minds, not seen at once but revived after the crucifixion and resurrection, repeated for future generations to the close of time in the saving of many souls.ST May 2, 1878 Listeners remembered what had been taught and believed when they heard testimony of the resurrection, so the seed sprang up and bore fruit, and in the judgment hall words found place in some hearts where faith later grew to an abundant harvest, with some becoming disciples.AA 60.2+1 The message already sown springs up and bears fruit through the Spirit's deep conviction as people understand and obey, and seed lodged in hearts later springs up through clearer light, while arguments and publications already impress many not yet fully understanding or obeying until conviction brings honest ones to stand for God.4SP 430.1+2 In this way apostles thoroughly working the Jerusalem ground reap an abundant harvest.3SP 121.2

The same sowing is seen when the former rain helped gospel seed germinate and take root so the church enjoyed gifts of the Spirit, and at the close of the age the latter rain will ripen the harvest with gifts manifested in fullness.1SP 9.1 Faithful missionaries scattered precious seed beginning in plains and valleys at the foot of their own mountains and extending through great cities to distant lands, in veiled and silent work making its way through Christendom with glad reception in homes and hearts, where churches spring up in its path, the blood of martyrs witnesses, and a rich harvest of souls is garnered to be revealed in the day of God.GC 71.2+1 The death of faithful witnesses such as Huss and Jerome does not root out truths for the faith but scatters them onward even to lands yet unknown, where they spring up and yield abundant fruit in new witnesses through all coming ages.GC 110.1 A quick beginning is not the only sign of lasting growth, for in Britain truth moved slowly yet the land could still be stirred to abundant fruit, and seeds sown among deeply convicted souls spring up to bear fruit, lifting the standard in a little company at Ulceby and reaching convicted souls around it and precious souls in Kettering.HSFM 90.3+1

The heart-soil picture belongs to children and youth as soil where heavenly seed can be sown for a good harvest, because the mind is especially impressionable in early life and good seed planted then in good soil bears fruit for eternal life.4T 499.2+2 Their hearts are to be prepared and seeds of truth sown there in the earliest years, with heavenly truth put into the minds of the very young through practical Bible teaching that makes them familiar with it.FE 368.3+1 That early sowing stays in memory wherever their future lot is cast and yields a precious harvest.9MR 44.1–45.1+1

Parents are given the work of preparing this soil in their children by bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord with the Word of God as the standard, taking great pains so the truth sown can grow into Christian character and future happiness.ST Jan 23, 1901+1 Until children are eight or ten years old they are to be kept from being molded by other hands too early, with the open air amid flowers and birds made the schoolroom and the treasure of nature the textbook, God's great book of nature opened as fast as their minds can comprehend it.CE 170.1 The mind is to be cultivated and correct habits formed instead of wasting time and labor on following the fashions of the world, since this early preparation for usefulness determines future happiness and growing up into Christian men and women.CE 170.1+2 Without such deep preparation the seed cannot hold, just as seed falling on shallow, stony soil springs up quickly because it has little depth of earth.CE 170.1+1

A home where God's word is treated lightly hardens the hearts of the young, leaving the good seed without a place to take root so that it can be caught away.COL 46.1 By contrast, sowing the living seed deeply in children's hearts is done through wise words and faithful labor, with minds and character carefully cultivated so they can receive and retain what is taught.CTBH 67.3+1 The correspondence between natural sowing and spiritual sowing is to be taught practically by letting children prepare the soil, sow the seed, and watch the plant grow, learning the garden of the heart as the plant grows.CT 142.2+1 The heart is a garden where good or bad seed is sown, and as a garden must be prepared for natural seed so the heart must be prepared for the seed of truth, with the seed meaning principles sown in the heart and its growth meaning the development of character.CT 142.2+1

Working the soil teaches how to cultivate the soul, for as land must be thoroughly tested, seed put in, orchard planted, and ground cultivated in faith and hope for results, so the garden of the soul must be cultivated to produce its harvest for the benefit of associates.Ms 56, 1896, par. 1–10 The care given to soil to make it fruitful must be given to life and character to produce precious fruit, since what is sown is reaped again, and lessons from cultivation of the soil are most profitable instruction.Ms 56, 1896, par. 1–10 Cultivating soil in garden and field brings children and youth into direct contact with nature and nature's God, giving health and happiness and lasting impressions associated with objects continually before the eyes, while the daily task is brightened by linking bird and flower and tree with God's love and wisdom.ED 102.3–4+1 Even little children can be Christians with an experience suited to their years, needing education in spiritual things so they form characters after the similitude of Christ's lovely character.STE 74.2–75.1

Teachers sow the precious seeds of truth in the minds of students after the order of the teaching of Jesus Christ as the standard Teacher, and must not sow their own ideas and plans and imaginings and schemes and ambitions and likes and dislikes, nor exalt as all-essential anything He did not teach.Lt 60, 1896, par. 6–7 To do this sowing they must have souls transformed by the grace of Christ, with minds absorbed in meditating on the glorious truths of the life of the Great Teacher and with the Word of God as food, following Christ to the very letter and holding before students the elevated standard of virtue and holiness in the gospel, so students are prepared for the higher grade.Lt 60, 1896, par. 6–7 Those who carry truth into schools must themselves be rooted in it lest they be led astray, and teachers rooted in faith and connected with God serve as channels of light in planting truth.Ms 22b, 1895 [Copy 2], par. 24–27+1 In the school setting the heart is the soil and the seed is truth, and some students' hearts are tender and contrite, prepared to receive truth and showing a tendency to grow upward.Ms 168, 1897, par. 6

Students are called to sow seeds in school life that will yield precious grain rather than thorns, including sowing seeds of truth through missionary work and the sale of books.CE 89.1+1 Sowing the seeds of truth brings two responses, for some harden their hearts against conviction and reject the message while others hunger for the bread of life, receive the message, and go forth to sow the seeds of truth themselves.7T 220.2–4 Believers are always to be living missionaries ever sowing the seeds of truth, because words spoken by a minister or lady missionary may be remembered by neighbors when sickness comes and then lead them to Christ.Ms 116, 1909, par. 7 Those who receive the truth go forth to work for others, commencing meetings with neighbors and sowing truth so that several others become interested, and with perseverance aptitude for the work increases and fruit is seen in salvation of souls, with those converted in turn teaching others so the seed keeps being sown.RH Jan 25, 1912+1

The word spoken is hoped to fall like precious seed into good soil, in contrast to seed springing up quickly in shallow, stony ground without depth.Ms 16a, 1885, par. 50 Minds must be cultivated and truth sown if there is to be fruit of a heavenly order, with the message of Christ presented whenever there is opportunity with tenderness and plainness, and the seed representing truth to be spread wherever there is opportunity.HSFM 183.3–4+2 Many hearts have been prepared to receive the message with joy, and the sowing of truth in human hearts looks toward the gathering of a harvest.CH 34.3+1