Breaking Ground
What is your favorite kind of tree or foliage? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Jesus the Christ by exploring the Parable of the Mustard Seed, which is one of several short stories labeled as Kingdom Growth Parables. In these, Jesus uses 1st century farming metaphors to describe the often surprising way that God’s Kingdom grows within individuals & our world.
Begin by reading Matthew 13:31-32. In this short parable, we discover three key elements at work: a small mustard seed that, after being planted, grows into an unexpectedly large plant that can produce mustard & shelter birds in its branches.
What stands out to you first about this parable? Consider its key elements, progression, & conclusion.
Critically, as Pastor Mike explored on Sunday, each element of this parable could’ve drawn to mind a variety of ideas for Jesus’ 1st century Jewish audience:
- Mustard was a desirable plant with medicinal benefits that was easy to find & cultivate in the average person’s backyard.
- Mustard plants produced far more mustard than any single person could use on their own.
- The imagery of birds resting in branches is often used biblically to describe either God’s gracious provision in Creation OR human kingdoms (depicted as great cedar trees) that dominate other nations (depicted as bigs living underneath their branches).
With this in mind, consider the various potential interpretations of this parable.
What do you think the mustard seed represents? What role do we have in fostering it within our own lives, the lives of others, & our world?
What do you think the mustard tree represents? What might Jesus be trying to teach us about Kingdom Growth through this imagery & what it becomes in the world?
How does growth take place in this parable? What does this reveal about our own need to trust & surrender when it comes to our growth & the growth of others?
What do you think the birds represent? How do they help flesh out what Jesus believes should be the purpose of God’s Kingdom growing in our lives?
Which part of this parable challenges you the most in this season? Why? How can this parable help you adopt a more Christ-like vision concerning growth as you move forward in your discipleship journey?
Getting Out of the Hole
In this series, take time each week to reflect upon the story from the story & how you can find yourself within it during this season of your life.
- Read Matthew 13:31-32. First, break this story down into pieces. What is Jesus doing in this story? How are people responding to him? What changes by the end of the story?
- Next, close your eyes & reflect upon the story. Imagine yourself in it. Put yourself into the space of the various characters & imagine what it would be like to encounter Jesus in the story.
- What images, teachings, or ideas speak to you the most in this story? What intrigues or confuses you? What feelings arose as you thought about being in the story? How can this story impact your life & your relationship with Jesus in this next season?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Simply Jesus by NT Wright
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, December 1st: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Jesus the Christ!
* Please see mye3.org for details.