Bible Reading
Matthew 13:24–43 (ESV) —
> 24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
>
> 31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
>
> 33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
>
> 34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
>
> 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”
---
## Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the weeds, what does the master tell his servants to do when they discover weeds among the wheat? Why does he give this instruction? ([05:50])
2. According to Jesus’ explanation, who do the wheat and the weeds represent? Who is the sower, and who is the enemy? ([19:08])
3. What is the significance of the mustard seed and the leaven in Jesus’ parables? What do these small things become? ([12:33])
4. What does Jesus say will happen at the end of the age, according to his explanation of the parable? ([19:46])
---
## Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus describes the kingdom of God as growing quietly and patiently, rather than through force or spectacle? How does this challenge common ideas about power and influence? ([01:55])
2. The sermon mentions that believers and unbelievers will coexist until the final harvest. What might be the purpose of this, and how should it shape our attitude toward those who don’t share our faith? ([09:50])
3. The parables of the mustard seed and leaven suggest that small, hidden acts can have a big impact. What does this teach about the kind of faith and obedience Jesus values? ([13:50])
4. Jesus’ explanation of the weeds shifts the focus to a future judgment and restoration. How does this future hope affect the way we live and interact with the world now? ([24:58])
---
## Application Questions
1. The sermon warns against trying to “manufacture results” or put on a show to make our faith look bigger than it is. Are there ways you’ve felt pressure to perform or “look spiritual” in your Christian life? How can you resist that temptation and pursue authenticity instead? ([11:12])
2. When you feel your faith is small or insignificant, are you more tempted to withdraw from the world or to overcompensate by doing more? What would it look like for you to patiently engage and influence those around you, even in small ways? ([03:14])
3. The parable of the weeds teaches us not to judge or try to “uproot” others, but to wait for God’s timing. Can you think of a situation where you were quick to judge someone’s faith or motives? How might you approach that differently in light of this teaching? ([09:50])
4. The sermon says that “small faith, faithfully lived, has transformative power.” What is one small act of obedience or faithfulness you can commit to this week, trusting God to use it? ([17:11])
5. Jesus calls us to be a patient influence in the world, not to withdraw or isolate ourselves. Is there a place (work, family, neighborhood) where you’ve been tempted to give up or pull back? What is one step you could take to be a quiet, faithful influence there? ([15:12])
6. The hope of final restoration is meant to fuel our patience now. When you feel discouraged by the “weeds” in your life or in the world, how can you remind yourself of the future Jesus promises? ([24:58])
7. The sermon ends with a call to trust in Christ, not in our own efforts. Are there areas where you’ve been relying on your own strength or “goodness” instead of Jesus? What would it look like to shift your trust to him this week? ([34:23])
---
