1. Are you producing fruit? Mark 4:3-20, 26-29

2. The Hug Lady

4. “The purpose of the church cannot be to survive or even to thrive but to serve. The church exists to serve as the body of Christ, and it’s through this commitment to serve that we’re forced to engage our culture.” Erwin McManus

6. Dabo Swinney

7. DISCUSSION GUIDE 1.Read (Mark 4:3-20, 26-29) and outline actions that produce fruit and soils that do not produce fruit. a.(4:3)The sower went out to sow. You must take action. b.(4:14)The sower sows the Word of God. c.(4:4, 15)The soil by the side of the road has no base and Satan destroys it.

8. DISCUSSION GUIDE 1.Read (Mark 4:3-20, 26-29) and outline actions that produce fruit and soils that do not produce fruit. d.(5-6, 16-17)The rocky soil represents those who accept the Word at first but fall away e.(7, 18-19)In the thorny soil (desires for other things) choke the Word f.(8, 20)The good soil hears, accepts and bears fruit

9. DISCUSSION GUIDE 2.Does this passage teach about when or how to sow? No, it says to sow and leave the results to the Lord.

10. DISCUSSION GUIDE 3.List the Fruit of the Spirit in (Galatians 5:22). Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

11. DISCUSSION GUIDE 4.How does your life reflect these qualities?

12. DISCUSSION GUIDE 5.If we don’t sow good seed we will not see good fruit in others or ourselves. What are some methods for sowing? a.Knowing and sharing the Word b.Serving others in Jesus name c.Building relationships and sowing over time

13. DISCUSSION GUIDE 6.How are you doing in sowing in each of these areas?

14. DISCUSSION GUIDE 7.Who do you know that fits the different types of hearts in this passage? a.The hard heart – one who resists the Lord b.The shallow heart – one who is an emotional hearer c.The crowded heart – one who has too many distractions d.The fruitful heart – one who accepts and lives for Christ

15. DISCUSSION GUIDE 8.What must change in your life to sow more good seed and see good fruit produced?

16. DISCUSSION GUIDE 9.What are the ingredients needed to produce a harvest in (vs. 26-29)? a.You must plant the seed b.God grows the seed c.Growth is a process d.The harvest causes multiplication

17. DISCUSSION GUIDE 10.Where and how can you sow the Word this week?