Day 8 - Thursday
Bible Verses: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Spark Bible: The Sower (p.292)
Devotion: We liked this parable because it came with an explanation. The explanation helped us understand that it can sometimes be hard to hear God’s message about the world that God is preparing for us. But we also realized that simply understanding what some of the problems in hearing God’s message are—like having trouble staying focused on what God wants us to do, or getting distracted by other things that interest us—doesn’t mean that we’ll be good at hearing God’s voice speaking to us.
Even as we were trying to have a conversation about the parable of the sower, we found that we got sidetracked by things like our toys, our smartphones, thoughts about what had happened earlier in the day, or even just the sudden urge to be silly or make a joke. So, we decided that it’s good to want to be like the good soil that receives the seed, and that bears a yield of a hundred-fold; but we also decided that it’s hard, and that it will take practice to be still, to not be distracted, and to pay attention for God’s message.
Reflection: What are some of the things that distract you from hearing God’s message for you? What can you do to pay better attention for God’s message for you?
Prayer: God, help me to not get distracted (even by video games) and to pay attention when you are speaking to me. Amen.
Spark Bible: The Sower (p.292)
Devotion: We liked this parable because it came with an explanation. The explanation helped us understand that it can sometimes be hard to hear God’s message about the world that God is preparing for us. But we also realized that simply understanding what some of the problems in hearing God’s message are—like having trouble staying focused on what God wants us to do, or getting distracted by other things that interest us—doesn’t mean that we’ll be good at hearing God’s voice speaking to us.
Even as we were trying to have a conversation about the parable of the sower, we found that we got sidetracked by things like our toys, our smartphones, thoughts about what had happened earlier in the day, or even just the sudden urge to be silly or make a joke. So, we decided that it’s good to want to be like the good soil that receives the seed, and that bears a yield of a hundred-fold; but we also decided that it’s hard, and that it will take practice to be still, to not be distracted, and to pay attention for God’s message.
Reflection: What are some of the things that distract you from hearing God’s message for you? What can you do to pay better attention for God’s message for you?
Prayer: God, help me to not get distracted (even by video games) and to pay attention when you are speaking to me. Amen.