Mustard Seed

For our August 20th Mens' Group lunch our goal is to think about the 3 areas of the church:
  1. The actual church service
  2. The discipleship of the members
  3. The functions of the clergy (baptisms, marriages, last rights, funerals)
We members can really only contribute to #1 or #2.   Where ever we choose to contribute, we should pick the areas that will do the most good toward growing the faith.  I will go out on a limb that most of us will be called to #2, and suggest we start there.  

A metaphor that inspires and directs our choices would be really helpful and I ask you to consider the mustard seed as one of the most enduring and powerful symbols of taking those first steps, God noticing even the tiniest of efforts, and God's willingness to do something amazing.   If we become experts at finding tiny seeds of faith in the community and nurturing them, they will grow larger and spread farther than anything we can imagine.

To maintain our forward progress, I would like to suggest 2 things for our next lunch:
  1. Decide to adopt the mustard seed as the metaphor for choosing discipleship opportunities - OR NOT!    
You won't hurt my feelings if not...... however,
I will point out the Great Room is already a mustard color, and
I believe that is no accident :)
  1. If we decide to adopt the mustard seed as the metaphor for our discipleship, begin to answer the following questions.
  • Where do we plant the seeds?      (map of all the church groups/activities would be helpful)
  • How do we support their growth?  (model for engaging seekers)
  • How do we support each other?    (lunch, men's retreat)
  • How do we ask for God's help? 

OK, here's the good part where you get a little inspiration (stir your heart)  and diverse thoughts (stir your mind). 

I am really looking forward to the discussion.   If you can't be here send your thoughts anyway to Rich and Stuart at help@gunsngrub.com.
THE AMAZING TRANSFORMATION OF THE MUSTARD SEED
 Mustard Seed
  Mustard Plant
  Mustard Tree

 		  
 

BIBLE (NIV)
  • Matthew 13:31 NIV • Read this chapter  31He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though 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 17:20 NIV • Read this chapter   He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
  • Mark 4:30 NIV • Read this chapter   30Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
  • Luke 13:18 NIV • Read this chapter   Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?   It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."
  • Luke 17:6 NIV • Read this chapter   He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
  • Quran, in it, God states that the scales of justice will be established on the Day of Judgment, and no soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for because God is the most efficient reckoner.[3]  ~ wikipedia.com

  • Jewish texts compare the knowable universe to the size of a mustard seed to demonstrate the world's insignificance and to teach humility.   ~ wikipedia.com

  • Gautama Buddha told the story of the grieving mother and the mustard seed. When a mother loses her only son, she takes his body to the Buddha to find a cure. The Buddha asks her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a family that has never lost a child, husband, parent or friend. When the mother is unable to find such a house in her village, she realizes that death is common to all, and she cannot be selfish in her grief. [2]  ~ wikipedia.com   

  • Taoism -  "To see things in the seed is genius."   Lao-Tzu   ~ quotationsbook.com

  • Sitting Bull  - "Every seed is awakened, and all animal life."   ~ brainyquote.com
  • Confucius  - "If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people."   ~ brainyquote.com





Mustard fields near Bath, England








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Comments?  help@gunsngrub.com  Stuart