What if you had a heads up about challenges you’d face in life that would try to hinder your relationship with Jesus? In this episode, Jasmin looks at a biblical story Jesus told called the parable of the sower, or the parable of the farmer sowing seed. In this story, Jesus highlights three kinds of challenges that will test our faith and try to hinder our spiritual maturity and endurance in the faith for the long haul, and gives us some hints how to overcome each one. See below for Bible verses and more study resources based on this conversation.
Episode Outline and Bible Verses
- Parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:1-23 | Mark 4:1-20 | Luke 8:1-15
Test #1: The devil and spiritual battle.
- Matthew 13:19 | Mark 4:4 | Luke 8:12
- Ephesians 2:1-4
- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
- 1 John 5:4
- 1 Timothy 2:1-4
- Ephesians 6:19-20
- Colossians 4:3-4
For more about how to have relationship with Jesus: What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?
Test #2: Temptation, Problems, and Persecution
- Matthew 13:20-21 | Mark 4:5-6 | Luke 8:13
- Matthew 18:7
- 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
- John 16:33
- Revelation 21:3-4
- Colossians 2:6-7
- Matthew 7:24-28
Song: “Oh My Soul” by Casting Crowns and the song story/Mark Hall’s testimony
Test #3: The cares, riches, and pleasures of this life.
- Matthew 13:22 | Mark 4:7 | Luke 8:14
- Psalm 139:23-24
LET’S TALK! How have you personally experienced any of these challenges and experienced God helping you over come them? Discuss this episode in the comments below!
