Sunday, October 21, 2012

Day 21— Sowing of Seeds and Spreading of Truth, Part II

Some soil is ripe for reaping.

            If yesterday's Bible passage about the farmer sowing his seed touched your family with confusion, don't worry.  It confused even Jesus' closest disciples.  This is His explanation:

            Mark 4:14-20--"The farmer sows the word.  Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown.  As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.  Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.  Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown."

            Although Jesus was talking about a spiritual spreading of God's Word, the basic idea can be applied to other knowledge as well.  Truth (or knowledge) was being spread freely and openly to everyone.  However, not everyone was ready or able to accept that truth (or knowledge) and do something with it.

            In contrast, in our society, education has become a type of "god."  As a whole, we work to get information "out there," so everyone can have successful, productive, and wise lives.  Politicians bank on this type of promise to get them elected—and it usually succeeds in getting them into office, but not necessarily on having a "smarter" public.  Then as a society, we are confused when we do not get the results we want, and we are disappointed in our "god" of education.

            Preparation needs to make place.  If the ground has not first been "prepared," it will not be the proper soil setting for the information to take root and be productive.  The passage in Mark is not describing how to get the soil ready for the seed, but it does describe what happens to seed (information) that lands in areas not prepared for growing seeds.

            Your Turn:  In essence, giving your children lots of information is not the key to raising God-fearing children.  First, it matters what they are being taught.  Second, it matters if their minds and hearts have been prepared to hear and accept the Truth.  So, what can you do?

            Pray for your child on a daily basis.  Only the Holy Spirit can truly prepare your child's heart to accept God's Word and to be able to a produce spiritual "crop."  However, God can still use you in the process.  Share your love of God and His Word with your children.   Let your life hold evidence of this love—personal Bible study, the types of conversations you have, reading the Bible to and praying with your children, and your general living according God's plan.  Yet, the most important element is your personal relationship with your children.  You may never come close to being a Bible scholar—or an intellectual.  You may have as much trouble navigating through the Old Testament as you do the local mall.  And despite all that, you can produce a spiritual crop with your children because the close relationship they have with you will reveal, model, and encourage an attitude and life that is truly God honoring.  In turn, they will be able to repeat the same process with their children.  Isn't that what it's about?  Not just touching your current family with a Biblical perspective but also touching your family in future generations.



            If you would like more ideas on helping your children (and yourself) develop a Biblical worldview or to find out how to win a Wal-Mart gift card, go to the 31 Days Giveaway (Intro. Part II) post for more Touching Families blog links.  If you want to check out other 31 Days' topics, see The Nester.


*All verses quoted are from the New International Version:  THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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