“In Practice” notes at the end of each lesson help to turn principles into practice. Biblical principles are not just thoughts. They begin as truths that we learn. Then they grow into attitudes, actions, and habits. These notes, then, help Effective Evangelism lessons to become practical and fruitful. In this lesson’s note, we consider practical tips about the Bible’s principle that hearts are like various types of soil.
It takes time to make friends, to teach people, to develop new disciples. The question naturally arises, “In which person should I invest my limited time?” The answer is, “At first, we don’t know.” Each person’s heart is a soil—hard or rocky or thorny or good—but we cannot read that heart. We find out by planting the seed in every heart (Mark 16:15), then watching for results. We try to make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5; Ephesians 5:16). Good soil people are often a surprise to us. Of course, God does know hearts, so we pray for His guidance. He may well have prepared for you a welcoming person (Matthew 10:11; Luke 10:6). That person helps you to reach others. Eventually, you will see who is responding well. You train those who prove “faithful” or “reliable” so they can sow Gospel seed in many more hearts (2 Timothy 2:2).