1.
Q: Will My Life Be A
Fruitful Life?
A: Do I Have The Right
Heart Condition?
A Bible Study On The
Parable Of The Sower
www.institutefortransformation.org; (402) 212-7973
When Farmers Test And Treat Their Soil,
It Results In Better Yields. Our Lives Can
Be More Fruitful, Too, If We Make Sure
Our Hearts Are Conditioned To Receive
And Act On God’s Word.

2.
Just As Farmers Test, Treat And Monitor The Condition Of
Their Soil To Assure Fruitful Harvests, So Too, Can We Assess,
Prepare And Monitor Our Hearts To Produce Fruit InOur Lives
Jesus often considered what people were thinking in their
hearts – and our thoughts and feelings often become the
roots of our behaviors and actions. Using the insights
provided by Jesus in the Parable of the Sower -- as well as in
correlating Scripture verses -- we can examine the conditions
of our hearts and minds and prepare them to receive God’s
Word -- and Jesus’ living example – in order to produce fruit.
It’s much like a farmer who tests the soil, then administers
any necessary treatments before planting the seed, and then
continually monitors and treats the soil to assure sufficient
conditions exist for the seed to produce a fruitful harvest.
The following pages map four conditions that could
constitute the readiness of our hearts and minds to accept
and nurture God’s Word and Jesus’ living example
throughout our lives. They also provide “Transformational
Thoughts” – additional Scriptural perspectives we can follow
to assure the proper conditions exist in our hearts and minds
in order to produce fruitful yields for God’s Kingdom.

3.
Jesus tells us a Parable using a farming analogy about the conditions
where seeds are often planted. Good soil condition is essential to fruitful
plant growth and yields.
In this Parable, the seed planted represents God’s Word and Jesus’
example as models for our lives, the soil represents our hearts,
thoughts and behaviors.
"Hear this! A sower went out to sow.
…And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds
came and ate it up…
…Other seeds fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It
sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when
the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots…
…Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up
and choked it and it produced no grain…
…And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up
and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold…“
Insights For Living From Jesus: The Parable Of The Sower
(Mark 4:1-20, NAB)

4.
Jesus Explains The Seeds Planted In The
Various Soils And Which Produces Fruit
“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 their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
• The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears
the word and at once receives 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.
• The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears
the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of
wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
• But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears
the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a
crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
CONTINUE READING TO BE CHALLENGED AND ENCOURGED BY RELATED TRANSFORMATIONAL
THOUGHTS – BASED ON REAL-WORLD QUESTIONS AND SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE VERSES

5.
Is the soil too Shallow?
Is the soil Rocky?
Is the soil Thorny?
Is the soil Rich and Fruitful?
Farmers need good soil for their seed to produce fruit. Farmers test and assess the
soil’s condition, then make adjustments to assure fruitful harvests. It’s a process
that starts at the beginning of the planting season and continues until harvest.
Our hearts and minds must be examined and conditioned in order to receive the
seed of God’s Word and Jesus’ example, which can then guide our behavior and
actions in producing fruit.
Farmers consider the same conditions that Jesus
assesses in the Parable of the Sower:
But what constitutes is Rich and Fruitful soil?
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus examines the capacity of our hearts,
minds and lives to produce fruit…

6.
Comparing our hearts to farming soil, Jesus asks
us to evaluate what is the condition of our hearts.
Is my heart condition:
The Parable Of The Sower Can Lead Us To A Very Fruitful Life
Farming Offers Transformative Faith Lessons: We Need Humble Hearts To Receive (The Seed Of) God’s Word And Live Fruitful Lives
Heart Condition Map
Modeled After Soil Condition
Maps Used In Farming
:
Shallow top soil, where Jesus’ example and God’s
Word never really take root but get easily plucked up
and abandoned, doing no good
Rocky ground, where Jesus’ example and God’s Word
get suppressed by persecution or daily troubles
Thorns, where cares of the world and the lures of
things other than God’s will choke Jesus’ example,
God’s Word and our harvest
Rich, fruitful soil (what’s known as humus
-- the root word of humility) humbly absorbing
and nurturing Jesus’ example and God’s Word
and producing an abundant yield as a result

7.
Like Soil Condition Assessments And Treatments Used In Farming,
The Parable Of The Sower Explains We Need The Right Heart Condition
To Receive God’s Word And Example And Produce A Bountiful Harvest
Will the seeds of
Jesus’ example
-- “the Word of God
Made Flesh” -- and
God’s Word itself yield
a fruitful harvest
in our lives?
Productive harvests
require rich soil
(humus--theroot
word of humility).
Are our heartshumble
enough to receive, nurture
andpropagateJesus’ example
and God’s Word to produce much fruit?

8.
GIFT Transformational Thoughts
On The Seed Sown On A Shallow Path
Jesus explains the first soil condition encountered by the sower: “The sower sows the Word. These are the
ones on the path where the Word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the
word sown in them.”
GIFT’s Transformational Thoughts:
• Are we pursuing God's Word regularly? Is God's Word planted deeply enough in us to take root and
not be plucked by Satan's deceitful lures?
• Do we accept God's Word as being truth – powerful, full of love and for our good – and conversely, do
we also recognize that Satan is real, a liar, and seeking our destruction with his deceit? Jesus
explained, "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in
him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.“ (John 8:44 NIV®)
• The Bible also describes Satan’s craftiness and attacks against us and against God's Word. “Now the
serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman,
Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ ...’You will not certainly die, the
serpent said to the woman.’" (Genesis 3:1-4 NIV®)
• We need to plant God's Word deep in our hearts and not let Satan or the world distract us from
learning and living out that Word: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good,
pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV®) “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever
does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17 NIV®)
• Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NIV®)
• Our solution: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11 NIV®)

9.
The Parable of the Sower Transformational Thought #1

10.
GIFT Transformational Thoughts
On The Seed Sown On Rocky Soil
Jesus explains the second soil condition encountered by the sower: “And these are the ones sown on rocky
ground who, when they hear the Word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no root; they last only for
a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away.”
GIFT’s Transformational Thoughts:
• Do we truly receive God's Word with joy, and hide it in our hearts, so persecution or
rough-going don't hinder us, and so we don't succumb to trials and persecution that
suppress our joy, righteous living and witness?
• God's Word even assures us that it's Him, the Creator of the universe, we can turn to in times
of trouble, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV®)
• Amid the difficulties we face, God's Word also tells us that Jesus is providing an advocate who,
along with His own real presence, is ever with us, guiding and comforting us in the love and peace of
our Lord, so we need not be vulnerable to persecution or trials. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I
have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:26-27 NIV®)
• But God's Word also cautions that we should be prepared to face and endure persecution: "In fact,
everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV®).
If we're not being persecuted, maybe we're not living such a Godly life after all.
• Most importantly, we must consider the eternal blessings that come to those who hold true to God's
Word and withstand persecution: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say
all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in
heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12
NIV®)

11.
The Parable of the Sower Transformational Thought #2

12.
Jesus explains the third soil condition encountered by the sower: “Those sown among thorns are another
sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for
other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.”
GIFT’s Transformational Thoughts:
Does God's love for us and His instruction to us mean enough to us, such that worldly desires
and concerns don't derail or impede us from internalizing God’s Word and showing Christ's love?
Consider these admonitions about putting God and His commands first -- and seeking to love God and
others, rather than being caught up in issues of the world:
• Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not
in him. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life —comes not
from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God
lives forever. (1 John 2:15 – 17 NIV®)
• "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces
many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it
for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will
honor the one who serves me." (John 12:24-26 NIV®)
• If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the
love of God be in that person? (1 John 3:17 NIV®)
• As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked,
"what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered, you know the commandments: "You shall not
murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not
defraud, honor your father and mother." "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a
boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," Jesus said. "Go, sell everything you have and
give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He
went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is
for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:17-25 NIV®)
GIFT Transformational Thoughts
On The Seed Sown Among Thorns

13.
The Parable of the Sower Transformational Thought #3

14.
GIFT’s Transformational Thoughts:
• The Bible explicitly references God’s Word being “planted in us” and compelling us to act in accordance with it: Humbly accept the Word
planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:21-22 NIV®)
– Importantly, there's a key question we must answer in order to assure fruitful, Christian living: Is God's Word being planted in the right conditions
in our hearts, minds and lives - in humus-oriented soil conditions that enable the seed of God’s Word to produce a yield? NOTE: Humus is
defined as "dark organic material in soils, produced by decomposition of matter and essential to the fertility of the earth." It’s this “rich” soil Jesus
speaks of in the Parable. Like decomposing soil, Jesus also asks us to die to ourselves and deny ourselves, so we can produce fruit: Then Jesus said
to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their
life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16: 24-25) (NOTE: humus is the root of the word humble, being "of the
earth/grounded and not lofty." Selfless humility is a key virtue we must embrace in our hearts, minds and lives for God’s Word to be fruitful.)
• Jesus also instructed us in how to produce a fruitful harvest by remaining selfless and fully devoted to Him: "I am the vine; you are the
branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing... If you remain in me and my
words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing
yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:5-8 NIV®)
• "And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
(Micah 6:8 NIV®) Did not Jesus walk humbly on this Earth – obedient to God’s will -- to bring the Word and love of God to us?
• "In humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your
relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with
God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made
in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a
cross!" (Philippians 2:1-8 NIV®)
• "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble... In your hearts revere Christ
the Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this
with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:8, 15 NIV®)
Have we considered just how much Jesus desires that we humbly accept and retain his Word and produce fruit? In fact, Jesus even prayed for us
and sanctified Himself for us, so we would produce fruit through His Word, while compassionately acknowledging that we'll face difficulties: "I
have given them your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that
you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by
the truth; your Word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be
truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." (John 17:4-19 NIV®)
GIFT Transformational Thoughts On Seed Sown On Rich Soil
Having a heart that compares to rich, fruitful soil – known as humus (the root word of humility) – which can receive God’s Word
and act on it, requires a humble heart, acknowledging and appreciating all the many Gifts God has given us in this world; then
reciprocating and re-gifting God’s gifts by selflessly living out the loving example of Christ who died for us; and allowing God to
transform our lives to live and love more like Jesus; so as to be producing a very fruitful harvest and transforming our world.
Jesus explains the fourth soil condition encountered by the sower: “But those sown on rich soil are
the ones who hear the Word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

15.
The Parable of the Sower Transformational Thought #4

16.
According to Christian Leadership Magazine, "Transformation is not just an attitude; it's a changed life...
a response to God and God's action. It requires our deliberate, humble participation."
To help us achieve a Spiritual transformation in which we're living in a humble, right relationship
with God, we’ll want to leverage the wisdom in the Parable of the Sower. This wisdom can guide us
into living more like Christ and impacting others with His love.
Importantly, as we walk along life's path, we need to make sure we're continually growing in a closer
relationship with God, being transformed by His Word, with His Presence and the Holy Spirit always
directing us, undeterred, so we’re living and loving more like Christ.
• We should take time often to reflect upon the Parable of the Sower and the condition of our hearts.
• We should reflect on Jesus' explanation in the Parable regarding what kind of soil the seeds
encountered when sown along the Path and examine our lives -- are we nurturing God’s seed/Word
to assure a harvest from His awesome Word, resisting Satan’s lies and lures, contending with
persecution, avoiding our life’s impact being choked off, and producing good fruit and a huge yield?
• We may want to regularly reflect on some of the related transformational questions, Scripture and
thoughts provided here, regarding what the Parable means, and how it applies to our life.
• A key thought: we find that humility (from the root word “humus,” being of the earth – a condition
in which good growth can occur) plays a big role in enabling our Spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
• If ever we veer off the path and go in the wrong direction, knowing that our God is a loving, merciful
and forgiving God can help us redirect our hearts and minds back to the rich, humble, Word-infused
soil that can yield much good and significant fruit.
• The next time you walk through a garden, pass by a farm or visit the produce section in your nearby
grocery store, consider the wonder and goodness of a fruitful harvest, and live a life grounded in
humble acceptance of, appreciation for and adherence to God’s transforming Word and many gifts.
Take The Humble Path To Spiritual Transformation
And Produce A Fruitful Harvest

17.
Achieving Spiritual Transformation That Yields Fruit Requires Following
Four Key Scripture Insights Aligned With The Parable Of The Sower
1 2
3 4

18.
*
The Explanations
(And Warnings)
That Jesus
Provided,
Regarding The
Seeds That Were
Sown,
Can Guide Us In
How To Best Live
Our Lives To
Produce Fruit
And Please God
www.institutefortransformation.org 402-212-7973

19.
www.globalinstitutefortransformation.org
Timothy Maurer
President
Global Institute For Transformation (GIFT)
timothy.maurer@institutefortransformation.org
402-212-7973