Helping Others Along the Path

I want to add one more layer to the parable of the soils

Four Paths

Isolation ---- Independence -------- Influence

Hardened --- Vulnerable --- Prophet

Shallow ------ Deep --------- Guide

Thorny ------- Clear --------- Trailblazer

Desolate ------ Fruitful ----- Catalyst

Our journey doesn’t end when we move from a hard heart to a vulnerable heart. When we learn to hear God’s voice, we can actually help others hear His voice as well. I’ve referred to this ability as a “prophet.”

We can grow from a shallow faith to a deep faith when we overcome trials and help others overcome the trials they face as a “guide” in their life.

We can get past the thorns and live a life of clarity by overcoming temptations and helping others do the same. Since we have gone to where they need to go, we can show them the way like “trailblazers” creating a path of hope for others.

We can move from a desolate, disconnected, and rebellious place to become fruitful and help others overcoming rebellion and get past where they are stuck by becoming a “catalyst” in their life.

We can move from isolation to independence. That is a good place to be, but the journey doesn’t end there. We can become people of influence.

Some of us have moved towards independence and stopped there. We need to realize we are called by God to be men and women of influence! All of us have the capacity to bear fruit 30, 60, or 100 times what was sown!

We can make a real difference in the lives of others.

If you are following Christ, consider this: God loves you so much that He intentionally brought into your life someone to help you follow Him.

So then, who in your life does God want you to help discover His love? God loves the people around you so much, that He brought you into their lives!

Consider the following questions:

• Who has God brought into your life that you can serve?
• How does God want you to help them make progress?
• Who can you take through this process?

To Share "A Fruitful Life: An Overview Snippet" – click here.

To dig deeper and make progress, consider these resources:

• Becoming Receptive: What is God calling you to do? (Coming 7/16/14!)
• Becoming Tenacious: What trials have you faced? (Coming 7/16/14!)
• Becoming Intentional: What temptations distract you? (Coming 7/16/14!)
• Becoming Proactive: What sacrifices do you need to make? (Coming 7/16/14!)

www.ericbryant.org

www.twitter.com/ericbryant

Not Like Me: A Field Guide for Influencing a Diverse World by Dr. Eric Michael Bryant

A Fruitful Life Assessment (With which path do you struggle? With which path do you excel?) For the free assessment and to receive my email newsletter, email me at eric@ericbryant.org with "A Fruitful Life Assessment" as the subject.*

A Fruitful Life Group Study (parable of the soils) For the free assessment and to receive my email newsletter, email me at eric@ericbryant.org with "Small Group Study" as the subject.*

*Sending me an email includes “Eric’s Free Resources” via email 10-12 times a year. This email newsletter includes free articles, interviews, and the opportunity to win free books.