As part of our mission statement to connect people with God and others, we desire for people to be known in a way that is not possible in a large gathering.

Connection Groups typically gather on Sunday evenings in homes all over Linn County.

Each Sunday we provide questions based on the sermon to guide a discussion time into deeper spiritual understanding.

If you are looking to connect with others, flesh out the sermon in your own life, and invest yourself with a group of loving believers, Connection groups are for you! Click below to get signed up!

“Creating Spiritual Depth”                 Matthew 13                       June 1st, 2025

1. What would be a core value for yourself and/ or your family? How has that guided your decision-making?

2. Which of our church’s core values is most frequently on your mind? How do you see this one value in our church?

3. Read over Jesus’ parable of the Sower and the Seed – Matthew 13:3-9. What stands out to you here in this text?

4. Why do you think Jesus taught in parables? (see also 13:10-17)

5. What point is Jesus making in verse 12?

6. What Old Testament text did Jesus quote? What relevance does this text have for the situation to which Jesus was speaking? Do you see any relevance to our world today?

7. How did Jesus contrast the disciples’ receptiveness compared to others? (v.16-17)

8. Give some reasons why people might close their eyes to spiritual truth. How does this help our understanding of why Jesus taught in parables?

9. Read over verses 20-21. What explanation is given for the stony ground? What reasons may cause an enthusiastic hearer of the Word to stumble so soon?

10. What did the thorny soil represent? (v.22) What are some potential distractions that a person may encounter? And why are riches called “deceitful”?

11. What are the keys to a fruitful life? What are you doing in your life that you see as an investment that will produce fruit?