He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle because the harvest has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Queries:

What “established things” are aiding or thwarting our ability to take care of each other?

How have I witnessed healthy dialogue at work in a community?

What meaning does “Sabbath” hold for me, today? How do I practice Sabbath?

How ready am I to respond to unexpected needs? What helps me be ready?

Who needs my help this week?

Queries:

What do I make of Jesus’ hopeful vision of the world and people?

What specifically can we do, if anything, to experience being “born from above”?

Can I relate to Nicodemus? In what way?

What “baggage” does John 3:16 hold for me? What positive meaning does it hold?

Why does it matter to me that God doesn’t “condemn” but “so loves” the world?

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Andrew Franklin enjoys thinking about how to express philosophy and spiritual journeys using algebra and calculus metaphors. Happily despite that, friends still like to sit around and talk with him and this is actually his favorite thing. He’s new to the Pacific Northwest having spent the previous 22 years in Kentucky so he understandably enjoys the tearful beauty of everything. Also has a terrific girlfriend.

9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.