The Family Series :: Marriage & Intimacy
Matthew 13:1-4
Matthew 13:1-4 NIV
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
Matthew 13:5-9
Matthew 13:5-9 NIV
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear."
Matthew 13:10-13
Matthew 13:10-13 NIV
The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
Matthew 13:16-18
Matthew 13:16-18 NIV
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
Matthew 13:19-21
Matthew 13:19-21 NIV
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.
Matthew 13:22-23
Matthew 13:22-23 NIV
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."
Chapter 13 Kingdom of Heaven references:
- The Kingdom of Heaven is like a “mustard seed”. vs. 31 - The Kingdom of Heaven is like “yeast”. vs. 33 - The Kingdom of Heaven is like a “treasure hidden in a field”. vs. 44
Dating
Matthew 13:4 NIV
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
Me Marriage
Matthew 13:5 NIV
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
COOPERATIVE I marriage.
Matthew 13:7 NIV
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Us Marriage
Matthew 13:8 NIV
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
3 Principles for US living
- Surrender to us: Soil must be broken for something beautiful to grow. - What is good for us is always good for me. - Invest/serve the relationship itself rather than serving each other.
Upcoming Ginger Creek offerings: ME Marriage
- Marriage Intensives: starting in May we will hold quarterly marriage rebuilding workshops. - Guidance and Support Team available to help you sort it out and get connected. - Single Parent Mother group, Forgiveness groups, Boundaries, etc.
Upcoming Ginger Creek offerings: COOPERATIVE I Marriage
- Men’s Breakfast, second Saturday; Coffee at the Creek, third Saturday each month. - Small groups are a great place to start. - 3rd Annual Marriage Retreat: April 5, 6, & 7 at Lake Geneva. - Financial Peace University; groups starting several times a year. - Blended Families Group starting soon.
Upcoming Ginger Creek offerings: US Marriage
- 3rd Annual Marriage Retreat: April 5, 6, & 7 at Lake Geneva. - Serving as couples in ministry areas; lead small groups for example. - Marriage Mentoring: We need formal and informal relationships.
Get the Next Steps from today's message
Are you looking to take your learning and growing deeper in the week to come? If so, we've pulled together a micro devotional and some family discussion questions for you and your spouse.