Study Guide
Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds
Pay attention to what the news headlines like to cover. Usually, it centers around crisis and conflict. Why? Because bad news sells. But the headlines don't ever tell the whole story.
In this message you will be:
- Encouraged to see how God is not surprised by the Enemy's tactics
- Challenged to not let our spiritual authority be cuffed to what is happening politically
Newbreak’s Sermon Study Guide is an in-house resource that serves sermon-based Life Groups and/or individuals who want to reflect further on how the message contributes to their spiritual formation.
About the Sermon Series
The Kingdom of Heaven is God’s rule in our hearts and lives. The parables are the secrets of what the kingdom is and how it operates. The teachings of living in the Kingdom of God seem completely opposite from how we have learned to live in our society. The Kingdom of God is right-side-up living! It’s the world that is upside down! No wonder so many people are tired and weary; they have spent their whole lives living upside down. Here, we journey through Matthew’s Gospel using the parables to explain the Kingdom of Heaven to our upside-down world!
Icebreakers for Life Groups
- If you could jump into a book of the Bible, what would it be and why?
- Is the world getting better or worse? How do you know?
Read Matthew 13:24–30 (CSB)
[24] He presented another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. [25] But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. [26] When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. [27] The landowner's servants came to him and said, 'Master, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?' [28] "'An enemy did this,' he told them. "'So, do you want us to go and pull them up?' the servants asked him. [29] "'No,' he said. 'When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I'll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but collect the wheat in my barn.'"
POINT 1 - God knows the enemy’s game plan.
The parable of the wheat and the weeds adds a new concept to Jesus’ ministry. In verses 24-25, Jesus tells us a story about an enemy who has sown weeds among the good seeds in the field (vs.24-25). The “enemy” in the story is probably a rival farmer. In this culture, antagonists commonly sow “weeds” at night while the farmer slept. The frequency of this practice was so common that Rome created a law that prohibited it! Why is the enemy sowing bad seed? To corrupt and thwart the growth of the good crop.
The devil, our enemy, is a liar and a destroyer. John 10:10 reminds us that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. His goal is to deface and defile the work of God and the creation of God, namely humanity.
This parable showcases God’s sovereign hand over the evil that happens in the world. Yet, Evil is not from the good farmer (i.e., God). Evil is not equally powerful as God, and evil has a timeline until it is upended and eradicated.
While the Enemy attempts to deceive us, he does not deceive God. God knows his schemes and wants to expose them through this story.
Discussion Questions
- How does this parable of the “Wheat and Weeds” differ from the Parable of the Sower?
- How are you seeing the enemy’s game plan at work today?
- Amid the weeds of life, where are you seeing the wheat growing in your life? In our culture?
Read Matthew 13:36–43 (CSB)
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." [37] He replied, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; [38] the field is the world; and the good seed-these are the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, [39] and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. [40] Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. [41] The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness. [42] They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Let anyone who has ears listen.
POINT 2 - Trust God’s long-term plan that is already in play.
Trusting God’s long-term plan means that we understand that our struggle is not with people but with the enemy and his plans. Ephesians 6:12-13 reminds us of this truth:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
This parable also reminds us that God’s final act will resolve the tension between good and evil. There will be some who have rejected Jesus. They will face the consequences and are excommunicated from his Kingdom (vs.40-43). God has a plan that cannot be thwarted by the enemy who sows weeds into the soil of His kingdom. Christ will return. Christ will be victorious, and there will be a harvest.
This parable also reminds us that the farmer sorts it all out in the end. Those who have received His good news and lived to expand the Kingdom are welcome with open arms. Those who reject Christ during this short time on earth will not receive Him for all eternity. Jesus invites us to continue to sow seeds of good news, even amongst the weeds.
Discussion Questions
- How does the future reign of Christ impact how you view the world today?
- According to 2 Peter 3:9, God does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance. What role do we play in other people coming to faith?
- What does it look like to put on the full armor of God in your life? How does the armor of God allow you to stand your ground in our culture?