Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21
“Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.”
(20-21) “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”
Reflection
Jesus says that the seed that is sown on rocky places in the shallow soil is a person who receives the word with a shallow faith. They do not make the effort to go deep. Then when difficulties come they do not have the strength to persevere and they turn away from the word that has been given to them.
When a person comes to the Lord it is important that they be mentored and discipled into a deeper faith. If the person who decides to follow Jesus does not have someone to walk with them and help them go deeper into the journey then in all likelihood they will fall away from the faith when they face difficulties, problems or frustrations. This is why it is so important that when we make disciples we look at the process as ongoing. It’s not just a moment when a person decides to follow Jesus. It is a journey of deepening faith and we all need someone to help us in that journey.
How have you helped to disciple someone into a deeper faith?
Who is helping you grow deeper in your faith?
