The Sower Parable — KJV Bible Study Guide
A free 10-lesson Bible study guide on the sower parable, drawn entirely from the King James Version. Each lesson opens with a study question, gives the verse reference, and offers a short teaching note. Use it for personal devotions, a small group, or a Sunday school class.
The 10 lessons
Lesson 1 · Matthew 13:3 (KJV)
Where did the sower sow seed?
Answer: By the wayside, upon stony places, among thorns, and into good ground
Study note. Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places... And some fell among thorns... But other fell into good ground. (Matthew 13:3-8)
Lesson 2 · Matthew 13:4 (KJV)
What happened to seed by the wayside?
Answer: The fowls devoured them
Study note. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. (Matthew 13:4)
Lesson 3 · Matthew 13:5 (KJV)
Why did the seed on stony places wither away?
Answer: Because they had no deepness of earth and were scorched by the sun
Study note. And some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. (Matthew 13:5-6)
Lesson 4 · Matthew 13:7 (KJV)
What choked the seed among thorns?
Answer: The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches
Study note. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (Matthew 13:7, 22)
Lesson 5 · Matthew 13:19 (KJV)
What does the seed represent?
Answer: The word of the kingdom
Study note. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (Matthew 13:19)
Lesson 6 · Matthew 13:19 (KJV)
Who catches away the seed sown by the wayside?
Answer: The wicked one
Study note. Then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. (Matthew 13:19)
Lesson 7 · Matthew 13:20 (KJV)
What does the stony ground represent?
Answer: He that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath no root
Study note. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matthew 13:20-21)
Lesson 8 · Matthew 13:23 (KJV)
What does the good ground represent?
Answer: He that heareth the word, and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit
Study note. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23)
Lesson 9 · Matthew 13:21 (KJV)
What happens when tribulation arises because of the word in the stony ground hearer?
Answer: He is offended
Study note. For when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matthew 13:21)
Lesson 10 · Matthew 13:23 (KJV)
What yields does the good ground bring forth?
Answer: Some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty
Study note. Which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23)
Key verses to memorize
The passages this study returns to most often — pick one or two and commit them to memory this week.
Discussion questions
- Which lesson in this study surprised you the most, and why?
- How does the sower parable point us to Jesus Christ and the gospel?
- Pick one verse from the key passages above. How does it shape the way you will pray, read, or live this week?
- Who in your life could you share one of these truths with in the next seven days?