“As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables.  And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that while seeing, they may see and not perceive, and while hearing, they may hear and not understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven” (Mark 4:10-12).

For those who believe and are willing, He will open their minds to the Word, He will give understanding.  The Holy Spirit brings wisdom.  Receive the Holy Spirit and become one who lives with understanding.  As you read Scripture, the Lord will open your eyes, heart, and mind to learn from Him.  He is sifting the hearts of all so that those who will be a part of the kingdom will willingly bow to the One who made all things.

Lord, I know that there are many mysteries in faith, but I also know that You have revealed truth.  In this world of opinions and self-will, help me to move beyond myself and see things as they are.  Guide me in Your goodness and take away from me my opinions as the basis of truth.  You are the One who made all things and You alone know how they are made to be.  Help me to be in Your will now and always.

Lord Jesus, whatever it is that causes me to insist on things being the way I want them to be, take them away so that I live in truth.  You have planted Your seed in me.  Help me to grow according to the Father’s will and not be hampered by my will.  Lead me forward in faith to grow the way You know I need to grow.  Nurture, prune, fertilize, and do whatever else is needed so that I may be with You forever.  Amen.

“And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9).

You have ears, but do you have ears to hear?  Some listen but never hear.  The Lord wants us to hear and understand.  Our Lord wants us to have the life He is offering, but we are not forced to live a life of faith.  Love is not forced.  He loves us and He wants us to learn to love Him.  Love must always be the giving up of the self for the other.  You have ears, are you listening to what our Lord says?

Lord, You know that there are many times when I did not listen even though I heard.  You have told me the same thing in many ways, but I am often slow to learn.  Lord, heal my hearing so that I hear You when You speak.  Open my heart to receive what is right and true, and grant wisdom that I may understand.  You have spoken the words of truth in a world of lies.  Let me receive the truth and live in it.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken in such a way that in every time and place, there is understanding if we hear and obey.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may hear what You say and understand.  Open my eyes to see and believe, for You speak words that are eternally true.  Lord, You are the author of my faith; help me to understand and believe.  Amen.

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Pastor! Pastor! I saw a king this morning!

Pastor: Sammy, how do you know he was a king?

Sammy: Well, he was wearing all of the king clothing. I don’t remember the names of all of his accessories.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you name some things that a king would wear?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Those are all great things that a king might wear. Did you know that Jesus is a king?

Sammy: Pastor, Jesus is the King of Kings. That’s who I saw this morning. I saw Jesus as I was coming into church.

Pastor: Where was he? I didn’t see him.

Sammy: He’s right there, Pastor. He’s on the stained glass and the banner and the bulletin. And he’s in our hearts. He’s everywhere!

Pastor: I guess you’re right, Sammy. I wasn’t looking close enough.

Sammy: Pastor, I know I told you that Jesus is the King of Kings, but what does that mean?

Pastor: That means that he is the king above all kings. And all people bow down to him. That includes kings, presidents, and other world leaders.

Sammy: Wow! Jesus must be a really great king.

Pastor: Yes he is. Boys and girls, can you please fold your hands and bow your heads in prayer with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for being the King of Kings. Thank you for being kind and generous with your love. We love you. Amen.

“Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.  Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:7-8).

This world is filled with hostility.  The thorns of this world will choke us if we let them.  You have within you the ability to grow.  Prepare yourself by reading scripture so that you are willing to receive every lesson the Lord will give.  Learn to rid yourself of the resistance which is based upon your self-will so that the Lord’s will may be done in you in all circumstances.  The Lord will not stop until He makes of you what He will.

Lord, even in this I do not know many of my setbacks because I am unwilling to walk in the way You have set before me.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, so that I do not resist Your leading.  Teach me to resist the devil and welcome You, and not do things the other way round.  Through all things, grow Your word of truth in my heart so that I produce what it is that the Father intends with my life.

Lord Jesus, You came to redeem all who believe.  You are the author of my faith.  Help me to give up my self-will so that the Father’s will is done in me.  Guide me according to Your purpose so that I may see the growth of the seeds You have planted in me.  Through all things, do not allow the worries of this world choke the faith You have given me.  Increase my faith according to Your wisdom and keep me humble.  Amen.

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Sadly. Hey Pastor…

Pastor: Sammy, why do you seem so sad?

Sammy: Well, the other lambs were really mean to me today. They made fun of me because my fleece is too curly.

Pastor: I’m really sorry to hear that Sammy.

Sammy: Yes. It made me feel really bad.

Pastor: Boys and Girls, has anyone ever been mean to you or hurt you?

Wait for Answers

Sammy: I am really sad to hear that everyone. I don’t understand why people or lambs can be so mean.

Pastor: It’s a part of living Sammy. We can never escape the mean actions of others. People are mean to family, friends, and complete strangers all the time. And if we are honest, we are mean to people too.

Sammy: I guess I have been mean before too.

Pastor: Jesus never promises us an easy life. But he does promise to be with us through tough times and trials. He says, “not a hair of your head will perish.”

Sammy: That really gives me hope Pastor. Thank you.

Pastor: Boys and girls. Can you please fold your hands and bow your head? Dear Jesus, that you for keeping us, thank you for forming us. Thank you for staying with us in times of trial. In Jesus name we pray, amen!

Sammy: Bye everyone!

“Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil.  And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away” (Mark 4:5-6).

So many have such hard shells around them that it seems almost impossible for the truth to penetrate into their hearts.  You and I also have a hardness which life in this age grows.  The worries of this world build a hardness, and the word of the Lord is easily rejected.  The heat this world puts upon us scorches us such that we are paying attention to the heat and not to that which is being scorched.

Lord, help me to see things as they are.  In good times, let me not miss things because I am having a good time.  In bad times, help me not miss things because I am lamenting and fretting over circumstances.  You are always with me.  You will never leave nor forsake me.  Aid me to see through the fog of this age so that I do not have a part in scorching Your word which You have placed in me.

Lord Jesus, You wandered through the wilderness of this age.  You know the difficulties I encounter.  Help me so that every difficulty becomes an opportunity to grow into Your likeness.  Where there is scorching heat, teach me to rest in You and be revived.  Through all things, may Your word grow in me in spite of and not because of circumstances.  Grow my faith in You through all things.  Amen.

“And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching, “Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up” (Mark 4:2-4).

Jesus teaches us many things in a story form that transcends time, place, or tribe.  Humanity has common experiences which speak of the reality of this age.  Seeds in the ground to grow things and birds of distraction to misdirect so that growth does not happen.  How many times are good things sown in us and then flitter away by something that quickly comes and distracts us?  Be on the alert, Jesus tells us.

Lord, You alone know how many times You have planted something in me only to have it taken away quickly by something in this world.  The seed of Your word has been sown in me.  Teach me how to receive Your word and nurture it so that it grows according to Your will.  Keep my will under Yoursl so that I may grow in the goodness and mercy of Your grace.  Do not let Your word be void in me.

Lord Jesus, You know how easily I become distracted in this age.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I may see the things that come along flittering and trying to gain my attention.  They distract me from what You would give me.  Help me learn to understand things with clarity and live into the life which You intend for me.  Lead me so that I abide in You always. Amen.

He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land” (Mark 4:1).

At a time when there was no amplification, Jesus went out on a boat to talk to the crowds who were seated on a hillside.  A natural amphitheater.  Should it surprise us that God knows these things?  He invented them.  Do see the cleverness of God.  He tells you who He is with every action.  He will use His creation to impart the truth of His presence.  Listen to His purpose and follow Him.

Lord, we think we are clever when we make a discovery about Your creation.  You know these things and You have given us the ability to know them too.  Help me to be thankful for the resourcefulness You grant in wisdom and help me to apply what I learn to live in, and speak the truth, all the days of my life.  Guide me in the wisdom You give, giving thanks for, and rightly using the wisdom for Your kingdom.

Lord Jesus, You are calm and matter-of-fact about things.  You have come into our ordinary lives and offered us the extraordinary gift of salvation.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go.  You have put Yourself in a place in my life where I can clearly hear as You speak.  Help me to hear Your word, be calm, and follow in the way of the promise which You have set before me.  Amen.  

Many thanks to Brian Hughes for his review of “The Jesus Shaped Way” by Bob Rognlien.  Brian is a dual rostered NALC and retired ELCA pastor and vice president of the board of Lutheran CORE.  A link to Brian’s video can be found HERE. 

Brian writes – “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:5-6

Lutheran Pastor Bob Rognlien has released his latest book on discipleship, “The Jesus Shaped Way, six steps to being and making disciples the way Jesus did,” and is IMHO, a must read for anyone seeking to launch a discipling culture movement in their congregation.  For most of its recent life the church has concentrated on two words from that text: Truth and Life.  What does Scripture teach us that is True and how do we Live in response?  What if HOW Jesus made disciples, The Way, is equally important?   Drawing from decades of leading two-week pilgrimages to the Holy Land and years of building disciples who can make disciples, Pastor Rognlien brings together those experiences in profound ways.  You can purchase the book and the video training course in the Store at www.bobrognlien.com.