Opening Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the power to accept Your grace. Help me steer clear of the pitfalls of avoiding grace. Amen.

Read: Matthew 13:1-23
Reflect: Can you summarize the parable of the sower in one sentence? Why does God allow the soil of different peoples’ hearts to be more or less receptive to the Gospel? Does a heart that is not inclined to receive the Gospel make a person completely incapable of accepting Jesus? What can be done to make the soil of our hearts more receptive to the Gospel?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever walketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)