Matthew 13:36-37-Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 
I am a firm believer that what separates the effective, fruitful, influential, etc. from those who are not, is doing what you know to do.  That principle is universally spiritual and natural.  For example to be fruitful for God, we must be a “doer” of the word, because faith without works is dead.  In the natural, if we want to get in shape, we must eat right and exercise.  In all facets of life we must “do” or work for results to take place, such is life in a fallen world…(Genesis 3:17, James 1:23-25, James 4:17)
So I find it fascinating when people say marriage is great, but it takes work, as if nothing else in life takes work!  You and I would be hard-pressed to find anything good that last, come from doing nothing.  Now that it is Spring, I wish the grass, weeds, and moss would disappear, but that is going to take work if I want a decent yard.  The examples of work for results is exhaustive. 
In the passage above, Jesus has just finished explaining the parable of the sower, which if read in context of the last chapter, Jesus distinguishes between those who will be in the Kingdom and those who will not.  The theme of bearing fruit by doing the will of God and repentance, leads up to the parable of the sower.  Where Jesus separates those who end up proving their salvation, through understanding what God’s Word says.  Implicit is that God’s grace gives us understanding, which will compel us to do what we understand, therefore bearing fruit… (Matthew 13:16, Galatians 5:6)
So when we see the disciples, asking Jesus what the parable means apart from the crowd, it is His “chosen people” getting understanding from God to do His will.  This is what a personal relationship is for the Christian.  That I get alone with Jesus, the Living Word, and look to find my life in Him by doing what He enlightens me to do.  This goes “hand in hand” with hearing the Word and doing it whenever and wherever.  Because my ear to listen and understand is not regulated to Sunday’s, but all the time! (Colossians 3:1-3, Ephesians 1:18, Hebrews 6:7)
The “catch” is that it takes work, but so does anything we value in our life!  The reason we work hard at certain things and not others is that we don’t treasure it, period.  Which reveals more than we want to admit, but at least we’re being honest so we can fix it or let it stay unfruitful.  That’s a relationship, a job, a ministry, my health, etc.  Ironically Jesus speaks within this chapter, equating what a person will do when they treasure the Kingdom.  Being truly influential for Jesus or anyone takes work, but for the Christian it should be work fueled by an empowering love. (2 Corinthians 5:14, Philippians 2:13)
In His Love, Ld