Gateway Church

The Growing Seed

March 2, 2025
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MARCH 2

THE GROWING SEED

Jesus shares a short but profound parable about the kingdom of God. He compares the kingdom to a seed that grows in secret, unbeknownst to the sower. The message is simple, yet it uncovers profound truths about how God’s work unfolds in ways we often cannot see. Let’s take a fresh, creative look at the parable, focusing on the mystery and beauty of growth.

Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. Can you think of a time when you felt like nothing was happening, but later realized that growth or change was occurring in the background? Share your experience.
  2. Read Mark 4:26-29.

Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):

  • What stands out to you about this parable?
  • What do you notice and what are you curious about?

Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)

  • What do you learn about God’s role in spiritual growth?
  • What do you learn about our role in God’s Kingdom?
  • How does this passage challenge common expectations about success and growth?

Now make some applications (what’s my response?)

  • How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
  • Where in your life do you need to trust God’s process more?
  • How can you be faithful in “sowing seeds” even when you don’t see immediate results?

   3.     How does the concept of “God’s invisible work” shape the way you approach your faith journey?

   4.     Where in your life do you need to be more patient, trusting that God is at work behind the scenes?

   5.     Who is someone in your life that you can encourage this week in their faith journey?   

KEY SCRIPTURE

Mark 4:26-29  He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

PRAYER

  • Praise God for being the one who causes growth in His time.
  • Pray for boldness and courage to live as a visible reflection of God’s light in your everyday life.
  • Ask God to show you ways you can shine His light in your family, work, and community.
  • Pray for the strength to be a consistent and humble witness, not seeking attention for yourself but for His glory.  

PRACTICE

  1. Plant Seeds: This week, find a small but intentional way to share God’s love—through an act of kindness, an encouraging word, or an invitation to church.

   2. Trust the Process: Identify an area in your life where you need to relinquish control and trust God more. Write it down and commit to praying about it daily.