The word “lent” means “Spring”….
… as in the season when days grow longer and the seeds that were dormant begin to break open with new life. This image is a powerful one when contemplating our lives as Christians, and the new life that emerges from a time of dormancy and a practice of self-examination. To help in this practice, we have included a bible study, with a few reflection questions, for you and others to engage in this season. In addition, we have provided you materials to plant and cultivate an actual seed that its process of reformation may accompany your own during this time.
African Bible Study- This Bible study method was introduced at the Lambeth Conference, a gathering of bishops of the Anglican Communion. It is known by both names: "Lambeth" and "African."
Opening Prayer: O Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning. Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
One person reads passage slowly.
Each person identifies the word or phrase that catches their attention (1 minute ).
Each shares the word or phrase around the group ( 3-5 minutes, NO DISCUSSION ).
Another person reads the passage slowly (from a different translation if possible ).
Each person identifies where this passage touches their life today ( 1 minute ).
Each shares ( 3-5 minutes, NO DISCUSSION ).
Passage is read a third time (another reader and translation if possible).
Each person names or writes "From what I've heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or be? Is God inviting me to change in any way?" ( 5 minutes )
Each person shares their answer ( 5-10 minutes, NO DISCUSSION )
Each prayers for the person on their right, naming what was shared in the other steps ( 5 minutes ).
Close with the Lord's Prayer and SILENCE.
Matthew 13:1-9, NRSV, The Parable of the Sower
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!
The Message (MSG), A Harvest Story, 13 1-3
At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.
3-8 “What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.
9 “Are you listening to this? Really listening?”
King James Version (KJV)
13 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
New English Translation (NET), The Parable of the Sower
13 On that day after Jesus went out of the house, he sat by the lake. 2 And such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat to sit while the whole crowd stood on the shore. 3 He told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground where they did not have much soil. They sprang up quickly because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun came up, they were scorched, and because they did not have sufficient root, they withered. 7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, and they grew up and choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 The one who has ears had better listen!”
Parable of the Sower Questions
What has been fertile for you this year?
Where has been the rocky ground for you?
Where have you planted seeds in fertile ground?
What are some seeds you’ve planted that you hope bear much fruit?
Where have the birds eaten seeds from your path?
Seed Planting instructions:
BEAN: Soak 8-12 hours first. Plant 1” deep, on long end, with dark spot down. Keep moist.
CILANTRO: Soak 24-48 hours first. Plant ¼” deep (like a pencil eraser). Keep moist.
COSMOS: Soak 12-24 hours first. Put seed on top of soil & sprinkle 1t of soil on top. Keep moist..