SERIES SUMMARY
At Fellowship Greenville, we desire to reintroduce people to Jesus and the life that He offers. We realize that each of us growing as disciples of Jesus is imperative to us being about God’s mission of redemption in our circle of influence. Therefore, as we continue to grow with more and more people joining us, we want to take several Sundays this summer and articulate our discipleship values, while also inviting everyone to the discipleship pathway available to them here at Fellowship Greenville.
PASSAGE GUIDE | Heart: Our heart is transformed by the gospel, not simply our behavior.
Spiritual growth begins with the gospel—the good news of what God has done through Jesus—and continues as individuals are shaped by His character and values. Each person’s life is a story that matters to God, and while no one’s story is perfect, true purpose is found when it is rooted in God's greater story of redemption. The gospel not only initiates faith but sustains and transforms every part of life. It invites people out of performance and into authentic transformation where grace, not effort, becomes the foundation for growth.
At the heart of this transformation is, quite literally, the heart—the inner life of a person, including thoughts, desires, and decisions. Scripture teaches that everything a person says or does flows from the condition of their heart. Real change, therefore, doesn’t start on the outside but within. The heart is the control center, and it is the primary target of God’s redemptive work. When the heart is healthy, life flourishes. When it is neglected, everything else suffers.
To illustrate this, Jesus told a parable about a farmer sowing seed on different kinds of soil. The seed represents God’s Word, and the soils represent various heart conditions. While the seed, the sower, and the environment are all constant, the results vary based on the soil. This makes the heart—the soil—the key variable. The parable serves as a mirror, helping each person evaluate their own receptivity to spiritual truth. Some hearts are hardened, some shallow, others choked by distraction. Only one is ready to receive and grow.
These four heart types reveal common spiritual barriers. The hardened heart has been trampled by pain or disappointment and becomes closed off to truth. The shallow heart lacks depth and resilience, easily swayed by hardship or discomfort. The cluttered heart is overwhelmed by distraction— by anxiety, busyness, or the pursuit of wealth—leaving no space for lasting transformation. These heart conditions prevent spiritual growth and fruitfulness, even though the Word of God is freely and generously offered.
In contrast, the receptive heart is open, nourished, and fruitful. It receives the Word, allows it to take root, and produces a multiplied harvest. This image is echoed in the allegory of The Keeper of the Stream, where a village’s health depends on the purity of the stream flowing through it. When the stream is neglected, the village withers; when it is restored, life returns. So it is with the heart. Life thrives when the heart is guarded, tended, and surrendered to God. As Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, the heart determines the course of life, so it must be cared for with all diligence.
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace, passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Remember, these are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. You do not need to listen to both sermons at both campuses to participate in the discussion.
OPENING PRAYER
Begin by thanking God for the transformative power of the Gospel. Praise Him for His patient and loving pursuit, and for fully and intimately knowing your heart.
READ THE TEXT
Take some time to read Mark 4:1-20.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What does it mean that your story finds purpose when rooted in God's larger story of redemption?
- How does the gospel continue to shape a believer’s heart after salvation?
- Why is the heart described as the “control center” of life in Scripture, and how does that impact how we think about spiritual growth?
- According to Jesus' parable in Mark 4, what is the key factor that determines whether God’s Word bears fruit in someone’s life?
- Which of the four heart conditions—hardened, shallow, cluttered, or receptive—do you most resonate with right now, and why?
- What are some life experiences or habits that can lead to a heart becoming hardened or resistant to truth?
- Can you recall a time when your words or actions surprised you (in a good or bad way) and revealed something deeper going on inside?
- How do you currently tend to your heart? What keeps it healthy?
- How does the allegory of The Keeper of the Stream deepen your understanding of the relationship between your heart and your life?
- What does it practically look like to "guard your heart with all diligence," as Proverbs 4:23 commands?
PRACTICE OPTIONS
Life in Community: As you continue to reflect on today’s passage, consider 1–2 people within your sphere of influence whom you can walk alongside with patience and love this week. Ask God to show you how to gently point them back to Christ—the only one who truly transforms hearts. Speak the truth in love, not to correct for control, but to encourage growth in Christlikeness.
Life with Jesus: Take some time this week to reflect on any areas where your heart may have grown resistant to the work of the Spirit. With open hands and palms up, pray and ask God to reveal the parts of your life that still need transformation. Let Him know you’re ready to listen and follow His guidance in those areas.
Life on Mission: Faithfully share God’s Word with someone this week, trusting that He is not rushed by immediate results—God is always at work, shaping the heart in His perfect timing.
CLOSING PRAYER
Spend time in prayer thanking God for the Gospel as a group and individually.