Luke 8:13 –
The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.
This is another chapter full of great parables and miracles it’s hard to pick one. An interesting factoid from this chapter, Mary Magdalene had 7 daemons cast from her. That was something I haven’t picked up in my readings before. Anyway, back to the parable of the seeds. You have the ones thrown on the footpath, the rocky soil, the thorns and the fertile ground. Jesus then breaks down how the seed is the Word of God and the soil represents people’s hearts.
I focus on this because I believe that is where many of the new followers of Christ fall. First, they receive the message with great joy and then don’t get plugged into a community of believers. This has more value than anyone understands because it helps you learn more and grow. Jesus did not choose one disciple, he chose 12 because numbers help hold you accountable. The “community” helps hold you accountable so falling into temptation is more difficult.
Second, is getting into the “Word”! This more than anything else helps build your foundation in Christ. I mean you hear the message, something stirs in your heart and you believe, but then it’s becomes difficult to understand why a man died on a cross for your sins and the “rush” gets lost in logic. The best way anyone can protect their faith is read often and as much as they can. It’s helps to read other peoples writings since they help clarify the message, but keep everything rooted in the Bible. Fortunately, the more knowledge you have the less likely you will be swayed off the path.
The key when you help a new believer is not to just say “whoop, whoop” and move on. No Jesus did not say save the world and move on, but rather “make disciples.” He knew the importance of teaching along with salvation in order to guard the saved heart. We like numbers, like the 1100+ that came to Christ this past weekend at our Church. But now as a Church it’s our responsibility to ensure they grow in fertile ground and not wither up on rocky ground!