3.5 Watch it Grow

Mark 4:28 "The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.”

Every time I grow seeds in a garden, I’m always amazed to watch plants grow. First a clod of dirt gets pushed out of the way as a small bit of green pushes its way to the surface. That always thrills me to see the little seed pushing through the soil.

And before long, a stem starts to rise up – it grows quickly. Then it puts on leaves. After a while, it begins to put on flowers – at that point I know the fruit will soon begin to form.

I love watching the beans, or tomatoes, or squash get bigger day by day. All this happens seemingly on its own.

Recognize the signs

Be on the lookout for budding faith as it begins to sprout above the surface.
There are certain things only God does in people. Scripture says no one seeks for God. So when I see someone seeking for God, when I see someone under conviction of sin, I realize that God must be at work. That’s an evident seed of faith sprouting above the surface.

Be patient.

It takes time for the plant to grow. And it takes even longer for it to mature. It takes quite a while for it to become ripe enough to harvest. The farmer by nature is patient for the harvest. He can’t do anything to rush it. He has to wait.

So too, we can’t rush the seeds of faith. We can nurture, but realize it takes time for true faith to become mature. So be patient. Be understanding of a fragile new believer who hasn’t gotten the whole of the way of Christ figured out.

Jesus was patient with new believers. He didn’t chastise the woman at the well (see John chapter 4) when she shared her seeds of brand new faith with everyone in her town. Her presentation would have failed most evangelism classes, but it didn’t stop her and it didn’t bother Jesus. As a result, everyone in the town came out to see this Man named Jesus who dramatically changed this woman’s life.

Prayer Prompts and Discussion Starters:

• Ask God to give you patience with people who are just starting to show signs of growth.
• Ask Him to bring about significant growth.
• Pray Him to change someone who has been completely closed to things of faith. Ask Him to cause them to sprout up with faith.
• Pray to Him about a people group that is closed to the things of the faith.
• Plead with God to bring about real growth in them.
• What other Kingdom prayers does this prompt you to pray?
• Record your insights as comments below.