NOTES 242 Tuesday Night 09.05.2023 We interpret and understand the way God made the world through stories. We know who we are and where we fit in through story. Jesus didn't tell explicitly “Christian” stories. Many of his parables were about everyday life, and they impacted people in a powerful way. When you tell a great story, people drop their defenses and give you the opportunity to share profound truth. READ: The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20, Matthew 13:1-23, Luke 8:4-15): Jesus uses this parable to explain the various responses people have to the Word of God, comparing them to different types of soil. It emphasizes the importance of receptive hearts and understanding the obstacles to spiritual growth. Anything in there stand out to you? Verse 13 = The Key 3 Main Elements – Seed – Sower – Soil 4 Types of Hearts Hard Hearted – Shallow – Crowded - Fruitful Overall, what is your guys opinion on the current state of popular media today? We all come from different backgrounds. Can anyone share some of the restrictions that they had in the house they were growing up towards media? Why do you think your parents did that? Do you still live by those rules? How about when there are kids around? The word entertainment is not found in the Bible at all. Once we read "entertain," in the sense of hospitality, but never the word entertainment. The word fun is never used in the Bible. Move away from viewing sinful nature as our mirror, and into a life of seeing his word as our reflection. In no way here am I telling you to stop having fun or being entertained by your favorite show. I am asking you to focus on a healthy balance of media consumption. Can I watch a movie with killing in it? "Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” 1 Tim. 4:4, 5 Warns against legalism and a too strict view of the Christian life, We can use all things that God has made, as long as we are grateful a pun receiving it and it is in line Gods wisdom. “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” Mark 7:15 Jesus was referring to the old Jewish traditions of diet restrictions, but it’s all the same. You consume media. When you take it in it enters your eyes and ears and gets processed by your brain. It becomes part of you. Now what it does to your heart is what matters. What soil the seed lands in that matters. SOLUTIONS: MOVIE NIGHT So what would Jesus do? Turn Hollywood into a mission field. He would pray for people working in the industry. Time is a gift from God Refuse to allow entertainment to enslave Gratefully enjoy the world Christ has created How do you guys feel about the role models that are offered to us today through media? We do need worthy examples to follow. We are to be followers of God as dear children (Eph. 5:1). Christ has left us an example that we should follow His steps (I Pet. 2:21). Role models we must follow are found in the church / closer to home Even without the access to mass media, the message that Jesus delivered over 2000 years ago still gets heard.