Gospel of Mark Part 23: How Well do you Listen? [Small Group Discussion]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- Jun 7
- 3 min read
Title: He Who Has Ears, Let Him Hear
Scripture Focus: James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
OPENING QUESTION
When you read or hear the Bible, do you usually find yourself reflecting on it and applying it, or moving on quickly without much thought? Why?
BACKGROUND
Throughout His ministry, Jesus often repeated the phrase “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”—a serious call to listen closely to God’s Word. He gave this warning in the parable of the four soils, in His teaching about John the Baptist, and even in His messages to the churches in Revelation 2–3.
The principle is simple: what you put into the Word of God is what you will get out. If you give it your full attention and approach it with a heart ready to obey, you will grow. But if you neglect it, you will remain spiritually immature. Scripture shows us at least three types of listeners—two we must avoid, and one we should strive to be.
KEY POINTS
1. The Dull of Hearing (Hebrews 5:11–12)
Hear, but don’t listen.
Remain in spiritual infancy instead of maturing.
Prevented from understanding truth, turning from sin, or growing in salvation (Isaiah 6:9–10; Matthew 13:14–15).
2. Those with Itching Ears (2 Timothy 4:3–4)
Reject sound doctrine in favor of teaching that feels good.
Follow false teachers who affirm their desires rather than God’s truth.
Discomfort from truth is often the Holy Spirit working—don’t resist Him.
3. Those with a Noble and Good Heart (Luke 8:15; Acts 17:11)
Hear the Word with sincerity.
Hold it fast and bear fruit with perseverance.
Study and examine Scripture eagerly to confirm and apply what they hear.
WHY GOOD LISTENING MATTERS
It’s Essential to Being Blessed (Matthew 13:16–17, Ephesians 1:3) – God reveals His blessings through His Word.
It’s Essential to Saving Faith (Romans 10:17, John 20:31) – Faith grows when we truly hear.
It’s Essential to Bearing Fruit (Colossians 1:6) – Only those who understand will produce lasting results.
It’s Essential to Prevent Apostasy (1 Timothy 4:1) – Careless listening leaves us vulnerable to false teaching.
STEPS TO LISTENING BETTER
Treat Listening as Worship – Hearing the Word is an act of devotion equal to prayer and praise.
Listen with a Mind to Act (James 1:22–25) – True listening leads to doing.
Invite the Holy Spirit to Work – Let the Word convict, shape, and transform you.
Be a Doer, Not Just a Hearer – Build your spiritual “house” on obedience so it stands in every storm (Luke 6:46–49).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Which type of listener—dull of hearing, itching ears, or noble and good heart—do you relate to most right now?
Why do you think so many people avoid sound doctrine in favor of messages that make them feel good?
How can discomfort from God’s Word actually be a blessing?
What practical steps could you take this week to become a more attentive listener?
How might our group help each other “draw near to God” through better listening?
APPLICATION
Your spiritual maturity depends on how you listen to God’s Word. Approach it with a worshipful heart, listen intently, and put it into practice. The more you invest in hearing and obeying, the more God will reveal and bless.
MEMORY VERSE
Luke 8:15 – “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.”
PRAYER FOCUS
Ask God to make you a listener with a noble and good heart—ready to hear, eager to obey, and steadfast in bearing fruit. Pray for discernment to resist false teaching and for the humility to accept conviction from the Holy Spirit.
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