"What were the characteristics of the 'good ground' in the parable of the sower and the seed? Think about it and let me know what characteristics the 'good ground' must have to bear fruit for eternal life." Here are some more of the responses I received.

1) Our inner spiritual attitude must be correct. It should be open, positive, respectful and receptive toward the spirituals messages of God's word. From information to motivation, that gets us going on our path.

2) Ask God in prayer for understanding. God looks on the heart and our attitude. The holy spirit is like the water that waters the fruitful land so the seed can germinate and bear fruit.

3) Overcome prejudices and get rid of wrong thought patterns. Be willing to be taught by the word of God.

4) Seek and be willing to accept instruction.

5) Be patient with one's own self and with others. It takes time for good fruit to be produced. The farmer has to wait patiently until the harvest is ready.

For us to be "good ground" for the seed of God's kingdom, we need to have an open, unprejudiced heart. That means not being close-minded about the word of God because what it says doesn't fit into our view of the world or our life, or because practicing the way of life God tells us to live would be unpleasant changes in our life. To really be able to bear fruit, we have to substitute the goals God gives us for our own selfish goals. Then we won't choke off God's instructions with our own agenda in life. Only then can God use us in His kingdom.

– a heatfelt orientation to God's instruction and way of life. Everything else leads to suffering and unhappiness (unhealthy soil)

– loving one another in word and deed

– daily watering (God's spirit working in us and asking for it in prayer)

– fasting, the soil also needs a short dry period every now and then so the roots can grow better, because they then seek water and the "seeking" means that they grow

– good healthy fertilizer (digesting God's word and paying attention to God's "quiet voice" in our conscience)

– good location, with a balance of sunshine, shade, water and dry periods (avoid a barren environment or depleted soil, even healthy soil in a wrong environment will become "sick")

– sufficient soil depth – there has to be enough soil, because otherwise our "roots" will not be sufficiently anchored

If I worry quite a bit, I would be the soil with the thorns. Surely enough I hate it when there's too much weeds (as there will always be weeds) in my vegetable garden, so I have to get to work, to get rid of the thorns and other weeds. When there are thorns in my vegetable garden, the produce/crops won't get enough sunlight to grow. To be able to bear fruit the crops need (among other things) sunlight. So how do I get rid of the thorns in my life and get more 'light' to grow? When I worry too much, that means I don't have the right focus: I am not focusing on God and Jesus Christ – the (Source of) Light, or "Sun of Righteousness", Malachi 4:2. We need to focus on God in order to be able to grow (and be fruitful). The good ground must have a 'soft' or teachable heart (as opposed to the soil near the wayside, which is probably symbol for hardness of heart?), that is be willing to repent when confronted with sin etc. It must also have a certain deepness: out of a willingness to spend time and get into a much more intimate relationship with God and Jesus Christ will we then root. And it must have a right focus: focusing on the real Source/Light of Life.

I had the following thoughts about the characteristics that the "good ground" must have: it must be consistent, the climate conditions must be appropriate, the soil must be "receptive" via plowing, tilling and watering, the "good ground" must be accessible so it can be worked and it has to be continually kept free of weeds.

Thank you for all the comments on this theme! With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!