Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Matthew 13

Last Updated on March 24, 2025 by Rocklyn Clarke

Description

Welcome to Focus On The Message – the first component of our Following Jesus discipleship program. This web page contains the lessons for:

Matthew 13

Purpose

Follow this link for information about these key aspects of our training: Purpose, Goals, Habits, Ministries, and Assignments.

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Matthew 13

This chapter has 7 lessons. You should ideally cover one chapter (with all of its lessons) in a week, but please don’t let a week go by without completing at least one lesson.

Lesson 1: The Parable of the Sower

Main text and related passages:

• The Parable of the Sower – Matthew 13:1-23 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15
  • Isaiah 6:1-10

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: Listen (Shema) Shema Word Study Video | BibleProject™ (00:03:26)
  • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)

Topics to explore:

• • What does it mean to produce a crop 100, 60, or 30 times what was sown?
  • What is is a disciple and how do I know when I’ve become one? How do I know when I’ve produced one?
  • Ladder of Abstraction – concrete language.

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.
  • ?

Lesson 2: The Parable of the Weeds

Main text and related passages:

• The Parable of the Weeds – Matthew 13:24-30 – Bible Gateway
  • The Parable of the Weeds Explained – Matthew 13:36-43 – Bible Gateway

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • 20. Weeds and Wheat [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube
  • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.
  • ?

Lesson 3: The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

Main text and related passages:

• The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast – Matthew 13:31-35 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 13:31-33; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • 21. Mustard, Bread, and God’s Kingdom [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube
  • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text
  • Walking the Text: Parable of the Mustard Seed (00:22:38)

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.
  • ?

Lesson 4: The Parable of the Weeds Explained

Main text and related passages:

• The Parable of the Weeds Explained – Matthew 13:36-43 – Bible Gateway
  • The Parable of the Weeds – Matthew 13:24-30 – Bible Gateway

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: Son of Man Biblical Theme Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:50)
  • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • 20. Weeds and Wheat [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube
  • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.
  • ?

Lesson 5: The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Main text and related passages:

• The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl – Matthew 13:44-46 – Bible Gateway

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • 21. Mustard, Bread, and God’s Kingdom [Matthew] – Tim Mackie (The Bible Project) – YouTube
  • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.
  • ?

Lesson 6: The Parable of the Net

Main text and related passages:

• The Parable of the Net – Matthew 13:47-52 – Bible Gateway

Checkout the following:

• • Watch: How to Read the Parables of Jesus Video | BibleProject™ (00:05:42)

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com
  • Jesus and His Explosive Parables | The Teaching Series – Walking The Text

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.
  • ?

Lesson 7: A Prophet Without Honor

Main text and related passages:

• A Prophet Without Honor – Matthew 13:53-58 – Bible Gateway
  • Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:22-27

Checkout the following:

• • ?

Topics to explore:

• • ?

Additional resources to check out:

• • Matthew for Everyone, Part 1 (The New Testament for Everyone) by Tom Wright – Amazon.com

Training assignment (do this yourself, and use it to help train someone else):

• • Read the main passage and related passages above.
  • ?

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Advance to Matthew 14