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Note...To learn more and engage with other believers, join us on Tuesday at 10:30 or Wednesday at 6pm for the Adult Bible Studies in Souers Community Hall. The student handout is enclosed! You may also view Pastor Lynne's sermon at the link below.

Happy Monday, CLP! This blog post expands on Pastor Lynne's Sunday sermon, Weeds to Wheat. The parable of the wheat and the weeds, as described by Jesus is a powerful illustration of the growth of the kingdom of heaven and our responsibility to show love. 

In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a farmer who sows good seed in his field, but an enemy comes and sows weeds among the wheat. The servants ask the farmer if they should go and pull up the weeds, but the farmer says to leave them until the harvest. This parable teaches us to trust in God and wait for the harvest, rather than judging others too quickly.

Throughout the week, we can focus on embodying the teachings of the parable of the wheat and the weeds and growing the kingdom of heaven in our own lives and communities. Here are Bible references and activities to help illustrate this point:

Additional Bible References

Monday - James 4:12 reminds us, "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" By focusing on showing love and compassion, rather than making quick judgments, we can embody the teachings of the kingdom of heaven and bring hope and healing to those around us.

Tuesday - Matthew 22:37-40 says, "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” By focusing on loving the Lord and our neighbors, we can grow the kingdom of heaven in our own lives and communities.

Wednesday - Galatians 6:1-2 says, "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." By carrying each other's burdens and restoring those who are caught in sin gently, we can fulfill the law of Christ and bring hope and healing to those around us.

Thursday - Matthew 7:1-2 says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." By focusing on trusting in God and waiting for the harvest, we can avoid making quick judgments and embody the teachings of the kingdom of heaven.

Friday- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." By focusing on showing love and compassion, we can embody the teachings of the kingdom of heaven and bring hope and healing to those around us.

Saturday - Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." By focusing on growing the kingdom of heaven in our own lives and communities, we can bring hope and healing to those around us and glorify our Father in heaven.

Living It Out

Here are some practical ways individuals, the church, and families can live out the Parable of Wheat and Weeds.

  • As a family, discuss a time when someone in your family was judged too quickly or unfairly and talk about how you can show love and compassion to each other in the future.
  • Choose a friend or someone in your community who may be struggling with their faith and write a letter or card to show your support and offer to pray for them and support them in their journey. Choose a day each week to pray for this person as a family.
  • Spend time in prayer and meditation, focusing on trusting God and waiting for the harvest. Consider planting a small garden and, as a family, discuss a time when you had to trust in God's plan and wait for the harvest.
  • Choose a person in your community who may be struggling with a difficult situation and offer to help in any way you can. As a family, discuss ways you can show love and compassion to those around you.
  • Spend time in prayer, focusing on growing the kingdom of heaven in your own life and in your community. As a family, discuss ways you can work towards growing the kingdom of heaven in your community.

Conclusion

By focusing on these Bible references and activities each day of the week, we can embody the teachings of the parable of the wheat and the weeds and bring hope and healing to those around us. Let us trust in God, show love and compassion, and work towards growing the kingdom of heaven in our own lives and communities. Have a great week and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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