Lesson 1 - The Fishers of Men Ministries

. Once this seed germinates, a great plant will grow, if the soil is good, 1 Pet1:22-25, Eph 2:17-22.3. The parable of the leaven, the influence of the gospel spreads, Lk 13:20-21.a. Just as leaven can spread throughout the meal, the gospel will spreadthroughout the world, Mk 16:16.b. Leaven spreads by contact, and the influence of Jesus spreads from personto person, 1 Cor 4:6-7, 1 Pet 2:11-12.III. Consideration and Application of the Parables1. Do Not Make A Show…The Pharisees did things such as fasting and prayer to be seen of men, tomake a good show, but there was no goodfruit in their lives. In the same way, making a show of keeping religioustraditions today without having a convertedheart will produce no good fruit. The Master knows if there is real fruit in ourlives. Do any of us practice religioustraditions just to look good to other people? What is the sweet fruit of trueChristianity?2. Bear Fruit…The Master is patient and long suffering with His plants, but there is alimit to His patience. After sufficient time andcultivation, if there is no good fruit, the tree will be destroyed. What is the fruitGod expects to find in our lives? Howlong will God give us to produce fruit?3. Little Beginnings End Big… with GodGod chose something that is small and foolish from the humanperspective, the preaching of a simple message aboutGod’s mercy and love, to save those who believe. The seed of the kingdomseems small indeed, but it has the powerto save eternally all who believe and trust Jesus. Do you sometimes feel that yourwork of lifting up Jesus to the worldis small and useless? What big things grow from the preaching of God’s word?4.The Gospel Spreads… by personal contactJust as yeast spreads throughout the meal, the gospel spreads by personalexample and contact with other people.People see our lives, and our influence can lead them to Jesus. Jesus said weshould be lights to the world, that theymay see our good works and glorify God. What things in your life encourageothers to believe in Jesus? What dopeople see when they see your life? Why is it important to preach the gospelthroughout the world?IV. Memory Verses - Lk 13:8-9