Main Thought
One of the last promises that Jesus made was that His followers would receive power to be witnesses. This power eventually came through the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost, in turn, happened to be an agricultural holiday or tradition. There are a lot of parallels between being a witness for God and farming. Both require planting. We sow seeds into the dirt - and we can sow the Word into the lives of others through the Gospel, our testimonies, an invitation, a prayer, and more. After we plant, we wait. Waiting on God includes prayer because only He can make a seed grow. Finally, the time comes to harvest. Engaging people turns into establishing them in the Word, faith, and community. But God always blesses those who bless others.
Main Passages
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:4-5, 8
26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
- Mark 4:26-29
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
- Luke 10:2-3
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?
When it comes to the stages of planting, waiting, and harvesting, where do you think you are right now?
How can you begin to move to the next stage in faith?