Hi friends, I'm Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

These are the stories of Jesus Christ's life on earth, the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, the miracles.

So here is how it works. I'll read three chapters to you. You can listen or read along in your own Bible or online, and then I'll pray.

And that's it.

Today is day 17, and I will be reading Mark chapters 4 through 6 in the New Living Translation.

And if you are using your Let's Read the Gospel's Guided Journal, we are on page 115.

Mark 4.

Once again, Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore.

A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat.

Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore. He taught them by telling

many stories in the form of parables, such as this one. Listen, a farmer went out to plant some seed.

As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.

Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock.

The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun

and since it didn't have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out

the tender plants so they produced no grain.

Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was 30, 60, and even 100 times as much as had been planted.

Then he said, anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.

Later, when Jesus was alone with the 12 disciples and with the others

who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. He replied, you're permitted to

understand the secret of the kingdom of God, but I use parables for everything I say to outsiders

so that the scriptures might be fulfilled. When they see what I do, they will learn nothing.

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