Chapter Summary

Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. The sower, tares and wheat, grain of mustard seed, leaven, hid treasure, pearl, drag net.

Discussion Questions for Matthew, Chapter 13

1. The parable of the sower talks about different types of soil. How can we ensure our hearts are like the good soil, ready to receive and grow from God's Word? What might make someone's heart like the path, rocky soil or the thorns?
2. Put Jesus' reasoning in verses 10-17 in your own words. Why does he use parables instead of just teaching the people about the Kingdom of God? Verse 12 seems unjust. Why would Jesus give more to those who have more and vice versa?
3. The ministry of Jesus has been growing steadily since his resurrection. How have you seen evil grow with it? What do you do to remind yourself that the Lord will exact justice perfectly in the end?
4. How big is a mustard seed? If you haven't seen one before, go look it up! How has your faith grown from a tiny speck of trust to where you are now? Where do you hope to be in your faith in one year? What about five years?
5. We obviously cannot purchase a relationship with the Lord, but what can be given up to do that? What is preventing you from doing that today?
6. When it is time for Judgement, the time of second chances is over. Who in your life needs Jesus' forgiveness? How will you commit to sharing the good news with them this week?
7. What would it look like today to mirror verses 44-46? What do you need to do to "sell out" for Jesus?
8. Verses 24-30, 36-43, and 47-50 all seem to say that the Lord will gather all people up together, good and evil, to judge them at the end of time. Where is this supported elsewhere in Scripture? What do you think the end tmies will look like?
9. The people knew his family, and that apparently gave him less credibility. Just one chapter ago, Jesus calls his followers his family. Do you give Jesus more credibility or less? Why? What work has he done in your life?
10. Why do you think that Jesus wanted them to believe before he performed many miracles? Have you ever tried to test God? How did that go for you? How does testing God end up for people in the Bible?

Key Words/Phrase

Kingdom mysteries, v. 11.

Characters

Jesus, disciples, Satan, Isaiah.

Strong Verse(s)

12, 41, 42.