Let’s conclude our first session by witnessing God plow through the debris to plant His word in the heart of a king. Come back anytime this weekend to share study guide responses!
UNDERNEATH THE RUBBLE
Rich nutrients that have settled deep under hardened soil are brought to the surface that is plowed. With dirt loosened, water can freely flow through the soil and reach the roots of the plants.
King Josiah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” I Kings 22:2
Wanting to please the Lord, Josiah orders for the Temple to be rebuilt. This damaged house of God that had been forsaken by the people was filled with brokenness and debris. What Josiah didn’t know was deep beneath the soil of the temple was rich, replenishing, live giving nourishment – The Book of the Law.
The seed of God’s Word buried under a temple of ruins.
Aren’t our bodies a living temple of God?
I wonder how much nourishment might be under hard soil of my own heart. Like Josiah, we can do what is right in the eyes of the Lord and still have hard places that need excavating. We can still have God’s Word buried, forgotten and eroded.
King Josiah read holy words and wept before the Lord in repentance. The Word went forth to the nation and Israel experienced one of the greatest spiritual revivals in history.
A revival first birthed in the quiet of King Josiah’s heart.
“For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15
Let’s respond to God’s plowing with a humble heart so that He can sow a revival in us.
SESSION 1 :: GROUP DISCUSSION
Even if you haven’t had a chance to complete your study guide, take a few moments to engage in a discussion and share insights gained. Click here and comment with your responses to any of the following questions.
- What is a specific reason why you desire to be planted in Christ? (Study Guide, page 2)
- Review your responses to describing the soil conditions and contributions in the Parable of the Sower. How can you guard your heart against hardness, shallowness, or crowding? (Study Guide, page 3 or 4)
- What negative outcomes do you discover in not waiting for harvest? (Study Guide, page 6)
- Overall, share an insight the Holy Spirit taught you this week.
Feel free to come back anytime during our 4-week study to share your responses!
