Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Parable Of The Mustard Seed- Matthew 13:31-32 – Growing As Disciples
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)
Small Beginnings
How do you feel about a day of small beginnings? That is a question that I’ve never considered. It takes a lot of faith to believe when something is very small and just starting out. The potential and possibilities can’t even be seen. Only the eyes of faith can see them. Take yourself for example. I sowed a tiny seed of faith in you. Do you think anyone knew or took notice? No, certainly not. Nothing they could see about me would ever indicate that faith would grow and flourish in me. Who would you say was most surprised to see faith growing and flourishing in you? That would be me, that is for sure. Isn’t it interesting that the seed of faith I planted in you was so small that not even you could perceive it? Yet, there were those who took you on as a faith challenge. They had just enough faith to pray for you. They believed that one day you would turn around and give your life to me. Yes, they did. Look at you now; you have come from having no faith in me at all to being a person that I can use to encourage others to come to me in faith. Yes, and I am so very thankful for that.
Well, that brings me back to the question that we started with. Ask me again. How do you feel about a day of small beginnings? I’m not exactly sure what you mean by that. What if I gave you a small assignment? Would you take it on? I’m pretty sure that I would. That does not sound like a very strong commitment. No, I suppose it doesn’t. If I could have just one thing from you then I’m certain that I would take on whatever assignment you give me. What’s that? I would want to know for certain that you were really asking me to do something for you. Then it wouldn’t matter to me how large or small the assignment from you was. It would be enough for me to know that I was doing what you were asking me to do. That’s it? That’s all you would need? Yes, that’s it. Why would that be enough for you? There has to be something that you aren’t telling me. Yes, there is. I know that you will help me to do whatever you have given me to do whether it is a small or large assignment. Yes, I will.
You used an interesting word there. What’s that? You used the word “seems”. Yes, I did. Tell me why you did? I know what seems small or what seems like a day of small beginnings may not be small at all. What do you mean by that? Well, when a carpenter called twelve men to follow Him that may have seemed like a day of small beginnings. But, in reality it was God coming to earth to plant seeds of faith that changed the world forever. Yes, it was. What does that have to do with you? You planted your seed of faith in me. Yes, I did. Now, you may want me to plant seeds of faith in others. It would be a mistake to think of any assignment from you as a day of small beginnings. Yes, it would. I am pleased that you understand this. So, Lord I’m saying to you now, that I will do anything and everything you give me to do for you.
Lord, you planted your seed of faith in me. It was a day of small beginnings. Thank you for nurturing faith in me so that it could grow. Use me now according to the faith you have given to me, to accomplish your purposes and plans. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Parables – Matthew 13-31-32 – Mustard Seed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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