Mark 4:21-34
Key Verse: 4:31-32

“It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

· A LAMP ON A STAND (21-25)

1. Read verse 21. What is the obvious thing to do with a lamp? How is the word of life like a lamp? How can we be lamps? How can we put our lamp on a lampstand?

2. Read verse 22. When will hidden things be exposed? In light of this, how shoul we live? What is the result of violating self-evident truth?

3. Read verses 23-25. What does it mean to “consider carefully what you hear”? What do these verses teach about the way we should live? What do they teach about the sovereignty of God?

· THE PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED (26-29)

4. Read verses 26-29. How is the kingdom of God like a growing seed? How can we have the seed of God’s word in our hearts? Why must we persist in holding on to the word of God? How can we do this?

· THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (30-34)

5. Read verses 30-34. What does the parable of the mustard seed teach about the kingdom of God? How does the tiny mustard seed become a blessing to the garden and the birds? How can we be blessed and be a blessing to others?