Mark 4 How Stuff Works Have you ever stopped to wonder how stuff works?

There are so many things that we use everyday and have no idea how they actually work. You press someones name on your phone and in seconds youre magically connected and communicating with that person! You turn the key in the ignition of your car and the car fires up all by itself - You press a pedal and turn a wheel and the car will take you wherever you want to go! In each of these examples, there is a human element that serves as a spark for the cool technological part that we cant explain. While it might be small, the human element is always an essential part of how stuff works. Even the most powerful and sophisticated technology is designed for interaction with a person. The same is true in life with God. While He is far more powerful and sophisticated, God has built in the necessity for interaction with us. Our part is often a simple act of obedience. Gods part is uncontrollable, unexplainable, and something we could never do on our own! Just as turning a key in the ignition of a car serves as a catalyst for a bigger and greater work that we cant explain, obedient disciples serve as a spark igniting the life changing work of God. Key Points Some people will not understand Gods truth because they are not ready for it (v. 11-12). There are distractions that keep us from being receptive to Gods Word. ! ! ! Satan (v. 15) Problems and Persecution (v. 16) Worries and Temptation (v. 19)

Disciples are expected to hear and accept the word and produce fruit (draw others to Christ). (v. 20) Disciples are meant to be a light in the darkness. (v. 21-23) God works in ways that unexpected and unexplainable. That is why when it comes to following Jesus; there is no such thing as an insignificant act of obedience. (v. 26-29)

Study and Discussion Questions 1. Look at Mark 4:14-19. Why type of soil are you? What are some things that keep you from being receptive to Gods word? What does it mean to be receptive to Gods word? 2. Are you willing to receive Gods message in certain areas of your life and resist it in other areas? Which areas do you find it easier to receive Gods message and live by it? Which areas of life is it harder to do so? Why? 3. Do you believe that God wants to use you? Do you believe that God can use you? Why or why not? 4. Mark 4:21 tells us that if a lamp doesnt help people see, it is useless. Does your life show other people how to find God and how to live for him? If so, how? If not, what in your life has extinguished your light or dimmed it? (Examples of potential causes: complacency in your faith walk, resentment towards God or others, stubbornness of heart, disobedience, distractions, etc.) 5. Look at Mark 4:26-29. Have you ever experienced God using a simple act of obedience to work in a way that was unexpected or unexplainable? A Little Extra... The application is very simple this week: Read the bible and pray that you would be good soil to receive Gods word. Look for one command to obey and practice at least one simple act of obedience. Watch and see how God uses it! Optional Prep for Next Week Review the suggested memory verses for Mark and choose at least one to work on. Study Mark 5 and consider the questions in the next lesson. As you read and study, make notes of anything that you dont understand and raise your questions at the next meeting.