Matthew 13:18-23
1. What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity, in Matthew 13:18-23? “You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 13:11)
This requires that we use active listening, to God, with an intent to understand and respond with gracious humility.
2. What is active listening?
Key Aspects of Active Listening:
- Full attention: Giving the person your undivided attention and acknowledging their message.
- Asking clarifying questions: Asking questions to ensure complete understanding and encourage further elaboration.
- Providing feedback: Reflecting on what has been said by paraphrasing or summarizing to ensure understanding and demonstrate engagement.
- Deferring judgment: Suspending personal opinions and biases to create a safe space for open communication.
- Responding appropriately: Being candid, open, and honest in your response, asserting your opinions respectfully.
What is active listening? …showing love by listening with an intent to understand…
Jesus’ teaching shows evidence of his years of listening to Father God and listening to people. Good thoughts on this subject in The Revolutionary Communicator by Jedd Medefind & Erik Lokkesmoe
3. What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them, in Matthew 13:18-23?
Obstacles: Lack of Understanding, Enemy Influence, Shallow Application, Resistance, Worries, Temptation
Overcoming: Active Listening, Deep Questions, Careful Consideration, Spirit-enabled Understanding, Deep Application, Resisting Enemy’s Influence, Participation in Producing Fruit
What does this “listening” mean, as a Biblical concept?
“Let those with ears use them and listen.” – Matthew 13:9
“God said to Peter and John, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’” – Mark 9:7
This is a call to attentive listening and understanding, implying a deeper, spiritual meaning beyond simply hearing with physical ears. Deuteronomy 29:4, Psalms 115:4, Proverbs 1:33, 2:2, 10:17, 16:20, 19:20, Jeremiah 25:4, Ezekiel 12:2, Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:9, 23, Luke 8:8, 21, 11:28, 14:35, John 14:15, James 1:22-24, Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22 ACTIVE LISTENING “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And set your heart on my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be established on your lips. So that your trust may be in Yahweh,” – Proverbs 22:17-19 LSB