The Growing Seed
In this parable, what does the farmer do first?
Answer: Plants the seed. (Mark 4:26)
What kind of place did the landowner need workers for?
Answer: A vineyard. (Matthew 20:1)
In the growing seed parable, who ultimately causes the growth?
God. (Mark 4:28)
What attitude should believers have when God blesses others?
Answer: Gratitude and celebration, not jealousy. (Matthew 20:15)
What common theme connects both parables?
Answer: God is sovereign over His kingdom. (Mark 4:28; Matthew 20:15)
What happens to the seed after it is planted?
Answer: It sprouts and grows. (Mark 4:27)
What payment did the landowner promise the first workers?
Answer: One denarius for the day. (Matthew 20:2)
What does the vineyard represent in the parable of the workers?
God’s kingdom or God’s work. (Matthew 20:1)
What responsibility do believers have in the growing seed parable?
Answer: To plant and be faithful. (Mark 4:26)
How do these parables challenge human expectations?
Answer: God works differently than people expect. (Mark 4:27–28; Matthew 20:15)
Does the farmer understand exactly how the seed grows?
Answer: No, the growth happens in a way he does not understand. (Mark 4:27)
At what surprising time were the last workers hired?
Answer: The eleventh hour (late in the day). (Matthew 20:6)
Why were the first workers upset?
They believed it was unfair that everyone received the same pay. (Matthew 20:11–12)
Why shouldn’t believers become discouraged when growth seems slow?
Answer: Because God is the one bringing the growth. (Mark 4:28)
What do both stories teach about human control?
Answer: Humans cannot control God’s work or grace. (Mark 4:27; Matthew 20:15)
According to Jesus, what produces the crop?
Answer: The earth produces it by itself. (Mark 4:28)
Who did the landowner pay first at the end of the day?
Answer: The workers who were hired last. (Matthew 20:8)
What does the farmer’s lack of control teach about spiritual growth?
Answer: Humans cannot control growth; God brings it. (Mark 4:27–28)
What mistake did the early workers make in the vineyard?
Answer: They compared themselves to others. (Matthew 20:11)
What attitude should believers avoid according to these lessons?
Answer: Pride and comparison. (Matthew 20:11–12)
What event happens once the grain is fully ripe?
Answer: The harvest begins. (Mark 4:29)
What statement summarizes the lesson of this parable?
Answer: The last will be first, and the first will be last. (Matthew 20:16)
What does the equal payment show about God’s grace?
Answer: God gives generously and not based on human comparisons. (Matthew 20:13–15)
What heart attitude shows we understand God’s grace correctly?
Answer: Humility and thankfulness. (Matthew 20:15–16)
What do these parables together teach about God’s character?
Answer: God is both powerful in growth and generous in grace. (Mark 4:28; Matthew 20:15)