Here are the texts we are looking at this week as found in the lectionary, along with some preliminary questions.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Have no regard for his appearance or stature, because I haven’t selected him. God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the LORD sees into the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 CEB
Q: Why does it matter that God sees into the heart?
Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”
Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.
– Mark 4:26-34 NLT
Q: What are your initial thoughts about these parables?
Nerd Notes:
· “The Lord sees into the heart.” The context is Samuel anointing David as the future King of Israel. He was just a boy at that time, with older brothers who towered above him.
· Sowing seeds. A major point here is that we can never be sure what will happen with the seeds we sow – the future is largely out of our hands. But we still need to sow, and we always are sowing some seed – but what? What do we make of this? How does the idea that what we sow may have significant impact – despite the apparent smallness of our seed-sowing? How does that impact our choices? How does it empower us?
· Mustard. Scholars still debate the plant to which Jesus refers. Mark’s account sticks with the mustard bush, which nobody would choose to plant because it was seen as an invasive weed (think Ivy) that is nearly impossible to get rid of. What do we make of this? How has the invasive weed of the grace of God made its way into your life? How have you tried to limit its spread? How might we welcome its spread? What are the ramifications of going with the flow of the Kin-dome of God spreading like an invasive weed?