Youth Bible Study Lessons > Romans

Parable of the Sower

Aug 11th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

In analyzing the “Parable of the Sower”, there are a couple ground rules to set down. First, the seed is the word of God. Specifically, it is the Gospel, the message of salvation. Christ says in the parable that those who are the path “may not believe and be saved.” The second thing to understand is that ALL people are represented in this parable. This will be proven through the analysis of each type of ground, which are the different types of people. So, this parable should not only provide practical application for those people represented by each type of soil, but should also provide insight into the bigger picture which is the plan for salvation.

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matt 13:3-9, NIV)

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matt 13:18-23, NIV)

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:1-9)

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” (Mark 4:13-20, NIV)

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:4-8)

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.(Luke 8:11-15, NIV)

The path is the majority of mankind. It is those who will hear the salvation message, but not be saved. The important thing to understand is that all men will have some understanding of Christ’s message of salvation. For those who have not been ‘told’ about Christ: “(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares” (Romans 2:14-16, NIV). This is talking about a general sense of morality also called general revelation. Those that were not given the law, those who have not been told about Christ, demonstrate the law because it is written onto their hearts. Their consciences bear witness to God’s law so much that their thoughts will be used on the Day of Judgment to determine their conscience decision to follow the law even though they had never been told about Christ. All mankind will know of the law in their hearts, but Satan will snatch it away from those who remain on the path.

The rocky soil is those who are quick to accept the gift of salvation when they hear the message, however fall away because they did not root their faith in deep soil. They understand and accept the message,;however, they have little understanding of the plan and do not know how to apply the message. Because they do not have the ability to apply the word of God in their lives, they cannot survive when they are tested. There is hope for these; however, it is the churches responsibility to train these, to disciple them so as to move them to the good soil. “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace” (Hebrews 6:4-6). This is the fate for those who are not properly trained in righteousness. If they fall away they cannot return. There is hope for their eternity because Christ said that “no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29). Still, they will be useless for their time on earth and will not produce fruit for God, a worldly fate much more painful than physical death.

The thorny ground is similar to the rocky ground in that the fruitfulness is short lived. The worries of the world, the peer pressure, the temptation of sin, our sinful nature, hold us back so we do not (not cannot) wholly give ourselves over to God. All mankind struggles with being thorny ground, but there is hope in the word of God, or there would never be fruit in the kingdom. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Anything, any sin you struggle with is common to man. There are others who have the same struggle, probably many. God is faithful to his promises to you. When you are tempted, you can escape it through the power of God which you have authority to use. All sin is a choice so it can be averted. All aversion to sin is a step towards righteousness, the good soil.

If you are of noble character and strive to produce fruit in your life, you are in the good soil. “‘When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden ; it must not be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the LORD. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 19:23-25). This is an Old Testament reference to the fruit which is provided through obedience to God. Plant fruit in your life, accept Christ and be diligent to study and understand his teachings and the word of God. Be obedient to God’s calling: anything else is forbidden. If you are persistent to do what is right, in God’s time, you will produce fruit, a hundred, sixty or thirty times your efforts.

If you are the path, you need Christ. The choice is yours. Do not let Satan take you away. Become good soil.

If you are the rocky soil, seek out understanding. Pursue a solid understanding of your faith so that you will not fall away. Become good soil.

If you are the thorny soil, repent of your sin. There is power in the word of God to pull you through. Remember all that your struggle with is common to man and none of it is stronger than God. Become good soil.

If you are the good soil, love and encourage the thorny soil, lest they succumb to the troubles of the world. Disciple the rocky soil lest they wither and become bitterness against God. Proclaim Christ to the path, lest they die without and live eternally separated from the love of God. Make disciples and make good soil.

The End Times Scrutinized Against Sigmund Freud – "The Second Coming" by William Butler Yeats

Jul 28th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

The End Times Scrutinized Against Sigmund Freud

A common theme in literature, regardless of the time period it was written in, is to create works of biblical allegory or to use biblical illusion to make a point either for or against religion. Many stories take on practical subjects, applicable to everyday life, but others choose to address the more fantastic elements. One of these works is, “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats. In this poem Yeats outlines a portion of the Christian belief in the end times prophesy based on the book of Revelation. Yeats, the “Technician’s Technician”, uses the tone of the poem, along with other literary elements, to carefully bring to life the emotion of the events which were prophesied (Orr). Yeats makes use of all three components in the Freudian Psyche, ID, Super Ego and Ego in order to accurately portray the personalities of all the characters present in the story, the antagonist, the protagonist and the secondary characters, namely the current population of the earth which is divided into two segments, Christians and non-Christians.

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in the sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
(Yeats, 1920)

The narrator’s point of view is a very important element of this poem. It is narrated from the Christian perspective. We know because it says, “Surely the second coming is at hand” (Yeats 124). If the narrator is not a Christian, he would have no reason to believe that the events which have transpired up until this point in the story are leading up to the second coming of Christ. He would first have to believe in the first coming of Christ and then recognize the relation between the events taking place in the world and a study of the end times prophesy in order to make this statement. The point of view really plays an important role in the tone of this poem as well. The tone is fearful, but not desperate because the narrator, as a Christian need not fear for his eternity due to his salvation through Christ and is actually intrigued by the events. Adam Kirsch agrees that, “Yeats is afraid of this second Coming, but also fascinated by it” (Kirsch).This is apparent even when, “anarchy is loosed upon the world”, the narrator is hopeful because, “revelation is at hand” (Yeats 124). He recognizes based on his understanding of the prophesy that the rapture, the second coming of Christ is near and that is when he will be delivered from the world up to heaven to be with the Father.

The antagonist, the main cause of fear is the beast of the earth. The poem says that the beast came out of the “sands of the desert” (Yeats 124). The beast is an illusion to the beast in the bible. “Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth” (New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition, Rev. 13.11). The beast may also be an illusion to a mythological creature of the same nature. It is a beast “with lion body and the head of a man”, a Manticore (Yeats 124). In mythology, a Manticore is a said to be a ruthless man-killer. According to Revelation, this beast will “cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition, Rev. 13.15). The image referred to in this quote is another beast which came out of the sea prior to this one and required worship of himself from the entire world, arguably the Anti-Christ (MacArthur 2018). The poem also has an illusion to the life of Christ when it says, “That twenty centuries of stony sleep were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle” (Yeats 124). This is saying that the beast was released after two thousand years from the “Spiritus Mundo”, the spirit world (Yeats). The irritation of this seclusion from the world has led to his complete lack of pity for mankind. The “rocking cradle” is a metaphor for Christ. According to Jewish traditions, men would not even begin their ministry until they were thirty (Yeats 124). Christ began his ministry at thirty as well and then was crucified three years later. So Christ was perceivably a mere infant in his ministry even at the time of his death. The metaphor of Christ proves further the illusion to the book of Revelation as is by the power of Christ that the beast had been contained, just as was prophesied.

Freud’s ID is exhibited where it says, “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity” (Yeats 123). Those with who have a moral standard, struggle with the desire for immoral things. Consciously they are moral, but fall away from their moral convictions. Yeats refers to them as the best, arguably Christians, and then contrasts the best with the worst, non-Christians full of passion and full of all types of vile immorality. The best and worst are not only the morally best and worst, but groupings of the morally best and the morally worst, assuming that between the best and worst there are multiple levels of morality/immorality. Unconsciously, the best are at least partially immoral and the worst are at least partially moral. From a biblical perspective, this is mans unconscious sinful nature contrasted with the conscious decision to do what is right based of their faith in God. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition, Rom. 3.23). No one is moral by nature, rather it is something to be acquired and so there is further explanation for the varying level of morality among Christians which was recognized by Yeats.
The superego, the “primitive mental role” (Hinshelwood), is represented by the narrator, the protagonist, who denotes that, “revelation is at hand” and that “the Second Coming is at hand” (Yeats 124). This isn’t a critical calculation rather it is the unconscious reaction to circumstances contrasted with an inbuilt knowledge which would be attained only by a solid biblical foundation and a sound understanding of the end times prophesy.

The ego is represented by the antagonist, the “rough beast” who comes forth from the “Spiritus Mundi”, the spirit world (Yeats 124). The second half of the poem describes the beast and his intentional actions. It says that he moves slowly through the desert and he “slouches toward Bethlehem” (Yeats 124). A thorough understanding of the book of Revelation shows that the beast is there to revive the first beast and force the people into submission, all because of the authority which was given him, not the directive. “He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.” (New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition, Rev. 13.12). His behavior is clearly intentional, premeditated and inexorable.

The poem, “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats certainly addresses accurately the subject of biblical illusion attempted by so many authors and he accomplished this from a Christian perspective. Yeats chose to address the fantastic elements of the return of Christ using many different literary elements as well as the three components of the Freudian Psyche portraying accurate accounts of the personalities represented in the portion of the end times prophesy.

Works Cited

Hinshelwood, R D. “Group Therapy as Psychic Containing. ” International Journal of Group Psychotherapy 58.3 (2008): 283-302. ProQuest Psychology Journals. ProQuest. 5 Aug. 2008

Kirsch, Adam. “To Hold in a Single Thought Reality and Justice. ” The Virginia Quarterly Review 83.3 (2007): 165-XIII. Humanities Module. ProQuest. 5 Aug. 2008

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville, Tennessee, Thomas Nelson Inc. 2008.

New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition. Thomas Nelson Inc., 1995

Orr, David. “Vendler’s Yeats. ” New York Times Book Review 11 May 2008: BR.33. ProQuest National Newspapers Core. ProQuest. 5 Aug. 2008

Yeats, William Butler. “The Second Coming”. The Mercury Reader. Ed. Natalie Danner. Time, Inc. 123-1234

How to Lead Someone to Christ

Jul 18th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

One of the greatest tools to lead someone to the Lord is the Roman Road. These are verses that appear throughout the book of Romans that outline the primary principles of salvation. Explain to the person that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and begin to walk through the following steps.
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Eternal Life and Death

Jul 16th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

Some people question the concept of eternity especially when it comes to the existence of Hell or an eternal existence of Hell. If it is not enough to say that conservative biblical scholars agree that it is, take a look yourself. Here are a few verses to wrap your mind around.

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Do Christians Have to Keep the Law’s of Moses?

Jul 15th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

“Christians, why do you eat the flesh of swine, when it is forbidden in the bible?”

“My brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter “  (Romans 7:4-6).

As Christians, we are dead to the law through Christ. (more…)

Which Translation of the Bible is Best?

Jul 14th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

“For Christians: What do you think about the ESV Bible?”

There are many different translations which are acceptable. The most important thing is that it has as short a translation path as possible to the original Greek so as not to compromise the accuracy of the text. Most have made note that there are inconsistencies between the different versions as far as words are concerned, however in most cases the overall theme and lesson comes through the same in each version. That is the power of God’s word. “All Scripture is God-breathed…” (2 Timothy 3:16). (more…)

Sin Paid in Full

Jul 10th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

Continuing in my theme of answering questions which I come across on the internet, this is a great question.

“

What do the Protestants mean when they say Jesus already fully pay for their sins on the Cross?

Does this mean they have the license to deliberated sin (such as abortion) and then “repent” since they know God is most merciful and compassionate and understanding, and will forgive them as long as they quit their wrong doings?

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Multiple Denomination Relationships

Jul 8th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

I came across the following post and thought it would be beneficial to share. This man has some relationship questions which I have heard many times so I have posted his situation as well as practical biblical advice which is applicable to his situation.

“I’m twenty two, never been in a relationship; never even kissed a girl! I always waited for that one girl. So, I met that girl about two and a half years ago. The first moment we met she took my breath away, but I waited to make sure that I liked her for her and not because of first impressions. I waited two years. During those two years she made some mistakes and I thought that we will never happen after that and tried to get her off my mind. But every time she is around it’s like the first time all over and I become speechless! So I finally told her that I have liked her for two years, and well I guess she has had a thing for me for a few months too. I’m not the type of person who starts a relationship or even kiss a girl if I was not sure that it will be long term (leading to marriage) so we have been discussing things before we get too attached. The major thing standing in the way especially with her parents is me being Catholic and they are Protestants! Anyone been in a similar situation? Any couples with different denominations?”

This man is in a good place to be. He has kept himself holy as he has been commanded. The first advice is to forgive the girl for anything she has done. “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 6:15). It’s not a sin directly against him, but it can become so, if they become wed, if the actions taken were in any way adulterous. Adultery is defined as any provision reserved for marriage which is performed outside the bonds of marriage, so even if actions were taken when no commitment had been made to another, it is no less adultery. The second piece of advice is to not become involved in adultery. “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Refrain from actions which have been reserved for marriage until you are married.

It is good to know where one stands in a relationship on the level of commitment. The fear is to scare the other off by suggesting marriage, but the intention for the relationship must be shared by both parties or the relationship will likely fail. The reality is that for either a Catholic or Protestant, the only intent in a relationship should be marriage otherwise there is some other purpose which is being sought out, likely a sinful, selfish desire.

Certainly denomination can be a stumbling block in a relationship. If the parents have a denominational issue, that is common. The truth is that there is only one denomination which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anything else is tradition. Christ said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Anything but Christ which is observed as part of faith is tradition. Observe Christ and his teachings and you are on the right track. If there is tradition, as long as it is not sin, it is acceptable. See Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 3, 4 and 8 for more understanding on the matters of tradition.

The Meaning of Life

Jul 7th, 2008
by Anthony Delgado.

The bible is clear that our purpose on earth is to bring glory to God. “In him we were also chosen…in order that we…might be for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:11). Ephesians 1 is about the church, so in context the subject is not the individual, rather the body of Christ. It is accurate to say that the Church was chosen to bring Glory to God. So the meaning of life is to bring Glory to God, but by what means?

It is through Jesus Christ that we glorify God. Even more, it is God’s will that we, collectively as the body of Christ, glorify Him. “He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:5). We are adopted as sons when we choose to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). If we choose to submit to the authority of Christ, we become adopted sons or daughters of the Father and therefore Glorify Him, the keyword being ‘choose’.

For those that would suggest they have no real choice, Romans 8:29 says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” The predestination is again for the body of Christ. The body of Christ will bring glory to God through conformity to the likeness of Christ which comes through and submission and consequent obedience. The foreknowledge is God’s knowledge before creation of who would choose him. He did not choose who would be elite, rather he has a knowledge of the elite. In his magnificence he created man with the ability to choose and his plan is for the collective of those that have, and will.

The meaning and purpose of mans existence is that those who will, will choose to follow Jesus Christ and therefore bring Glory to God.

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