Read Luke 8:19-21

JESUS DESCRIBES HIS FAMILY

Read Luke 8:16-18

ILLUSTRATION OF THE LAMP
When the light of the truth about Jesus illuminates you, it is your duty to shine that light to help others. Your witness for Christ should be public, not hidden. You should not keep the benefits for yourself alone, but pass them on for others. In order to be helpful, you need to be well placed. Seek opportunities to be there when unbelievers need help.
Applying God’s Word helps us grow. This is a principle of growth in physical, mental, and spiritual life. For example, a muscle, when exercised, will grow stronger, but an unused muscle will grow weak and flabby. If you are not growing stronger, you are growing weaker; it is impossible for you to stand still. How are you using what God has taught you?

Read Luke 8:9-15

JESUS EXPLAINS THE PARABLE
Why didn’t the crowds understand Jesus’ words? Perhaps they were looking for a military leader or a political Messiah and could not fit His gentle teaching style into their preconceived idea. Perhaps they were afraid of pressure from religious leaders and not want to look too deeply into Jesus’ words. They became a people as Isaiah said, “would hear without understanding and see without perceiving.” (Isaiah 6:9). The story of the sower was an accurate picture of the people’s reaction to the rest of His parables.
“Path” people, like many of the religious leaders, refused to believe God’s message. “Rock” people, like many of the crowds who followed Jesus, believed His message but never got around to doing anything about it. “Thorn Patch” people, overcome by worries and the lure of materialism, left no room in their lives for God. “Good Soil” people, in contrast to all the other groups, followed Jesus no matter what the cost. Which type of soil are you?

Read Luke 8:4-8

THE PARABLE OF THE FOUR SOILS
Jesus often communicated spiritual truth through short stories, called parables. These parables describe a familiar object or situation and give it a startling new twist. By linking the known with the hidden and forcing listeners to think, parables can point to spiritual truths. A parable compels listeners to discover the truth for themselves, and it conceals the truth from those too lazy or dull to understand it. In reading Jesus’ parables, you must be careful not to read too much into them. Most have only one point and one meaning.
Why would a farmer allow precious seed to land on the footpath, on rocks, or among thorns? This is not an irresponsible farmer scattering seeds at random. He is using the acceptable method of seeding a large field by tossing it by the handfuls as he walks through the field. His goal is to get as much seed as possible to take root in good soil, but there is inevitable waste as some falls or is blown into less productive areas. That some of the seed produced no crop was not the fault of the faithful farmer or of the seed. The yield depended on the condition of the soil where the seed fell. It is our responsibility to spread the seed, God’s message of Salvation, but we should not give up when some of our efforts fail. Remember not every seed falls on good soil.

Read Luke 8:1-3

WOMEN ACCOMPANY WOMEN JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES
Jesus lifted women up from the agony of degradation and servitude to the joy of fellowship and service. In Jewish culture, women were not supposed to learn from rabbis. By allowing these women to travel with Him, Jesus was showing that all people are equal under God. These women supported Jesus’ ministry with their own money. They owed a great dept to Him because He had driven demons out of some and healed others.
Here you see a glimpse of a few of the people behind the scenes in Jesus’ ministry. The ministry of those in the foreground is often supported by those whose work is less than visible but just as essential. Offer your resources to God, whether or not you will be on center stage