Gospel of Mark Bible Part 22: Parable of the Four Soils [Bible Study]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
Bible Study Title: The Parable of the Four Soils – Hearing and Receiving God’s Word
Scripture Focus: Mark 4:1-20
Opening Prayer
Lord, give us ears to truly hear Your Word, hearts that are soft to receive it, and lives that bear lasting fruit for Your kingdom.
Introduction
Jesus often spoke in parables to reveal deep truths in simple stories. In the Parable of the Four Soils, He shows that the way we respond to God’s Word determines whether it bears fruit in our lives. This is not just about hearing—it’s about how we hear.
Bible Reading
Read Mark 4:1-20, then compare with Matthew 13:1-23 and Luke 8:4-15.
Section 1 – The Four Soils Explained
The Path (Hard Soil) – Represents those who hear but immediately lose the Word because Satan snatches it away (Mark 4:15).
Rocky Soil – Represents those who receive the Word with joy but fall away during trials because they lack deep roots (Mark 4:16-17).
Thorny Soil – Represents those who hear but are choked by life’s worries, riches, and desires (Mark 4:18-19).
Good Soil – Represents those who hear, accept, and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold (Mark 4:20).
Discussion Questions:
Which soil best describes your heart today?
How can we prepare our hearts to be “good soil” for God’s Word?
Section 2 – Listening with Intent
Jesus repeats the command: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 4:9, 23).
Listening well means:
Paying close attention to what God says (Mark 4:24).
Applying what you learn (James 1:22-25).
Measuring out effort in proportion to what you want to receive (Mark 4:24-25).
Reflection: How does the amount of effort you put into studying God’s Word affect your spiritual growth?
Section 3 – The Principle of Measure
“With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mark 4:24).
The more you invest in God’s Word, the more you will receive from it.
Neglecting the Word leads to spiritual decline, just as using what God gives leads to greater blessing (Matthew 25:14-30).
Discussion Questions:
How have you seen this principle work in your own life?
What practical steps can you take to “measure out” more in your study of Scripture?
Section 4 – Application for Today
The hidden truths of God have now been revealed in Christ (Ephesians 3:3-9).
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
We must guard against distractions that choke spiritual growth (Colossians 3:1-2).
We are called to continually bear fruit (John 15:1-8).
Reflection: What “weeds” or “rocks” might God be calling you to remove from your heart so His Word can flourish?
Memory Verse
Mark 4:20 – “And those are the ones which were sown on the good soil: they who hear the word and accept it and are bearing fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
Closing Challenge
Jesus’ warning is clear: spiritual growth is not automatic—it’s the result of how we receive and respond to God’s Word. Be intentional, listen carefully, and let the Word take deep root in your life.
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