Lesson Overview for ADULTS
In Mark 4:26-34, Jesus uses parables to illustrate the nature of God’s kingdom. First, He compares it to seeds that grow mysteriously while the farmer sleeps, showing that God’s kingdom grows by divine power rather than human effort. Second, He likens the kingdom to a mustard seed. These parables challenged the common expectation that God’s kingdom would arrive with immediate force and power; instead, Jesus revealed it begins small and grows gradually but inevitably into something that blesses and provides for many.
Welcome Activity: Seed Hunt 10:15-10:30 a.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Assortment of Tiny Objects
Sensory Bins
Coloring Page
Have different types of seeds hidden in the sensory bin. Kids dig to find the different seeds and match them to their seed chart. A coloring page will also be set on the table for kids to color while they arrive.
Fruit Seeds (10:30-10:40 a.m.)
Materials Needed:
- Strawberry
- Apple
- Pear
- Orange
- Acorn
Cut open different fruits and look at the seeds inside. Discuss how from these tiny seeds, plants can grow to produce plants that will make more fruit. From tiny seeds grow big plants and trees that make more fruit. Allow kids to sample the fruits.
Song and Movement (10:40-10:50 a.m.)
My Little Mustard Seed
I can plant a seed of faith indeed!
Just like a tiny mustard seed!
It starts out small—so hard to see,
But God can grow it big through me!
I can plant my seed of faith indeed!
Just like a tiny mustard seed!
Chorus (Repeat after each verse):
Grow, grow, grow so high!
Like a tree touching the sky!
My faith can grow people will see—
God grows faith inside of me!
Verse 2:
Even when my faith is small and new,
Jesus helps it grow strong and true!
When I pray and trust His way,
My faith grows every day!
Even when my faith is small and new,
Jesus helps it grow strong and true!
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 3:
I can share my seed with you,
And watch your faith in Jesus grow too!
One by one, we plant and sing,
And grow a garden for the King!
I can share my faith with you,
And watch your faith in Jesus grow too!
Bible Verse Lesson (10:50-11:00 a.m.)
ITEMS NEEDED
- Bible
- Small mustard seeds (in a clear container for showing)
- Picture of a mature mustard plant
- Carpet squares for children to sit on
- Mustard Seed Prayer Book Activity (Printed)
Jesus loved to tell special stories called parables to help people understand about God’s kingdom. Today, I’m going to tell you about the Parable of the Mustard Seed!
Show the mustard seeds
Look at these tiny seeds! These are mustard seeds. They’re some of the smallest seeds that farmers plant. Jesus said God’s kingdom is like these tiny seeds.
One day, Jesus was teaching and said: The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
Show picture of the stages of the mustard seed plant growing.
Jesus also said, What shall we say the kingdom of God is like? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all the herbs in the garden, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’
From this tiny seed comes this big plant!
Jesus was teaching us something very important. God can take small things and make them grow into something amazing! Just like the tiny seed grew into a big plant, God can grow our small faith into something big and wonderful.
Jesus says even if your faith is super tiny like a mustard seed, that’s all you need!
Isn’t that amazing? Your faith doesn’t have to be big to start. Jesus knows we all start small when we first learn about him. When you believe in Jesus and tell Him you love Him, you plant a tiny seed of faith in your heart. And guess what happens to that little seed? It grows and grows into a big, strong plant!
The best part? When your faith gets bigger, you start telling other people about Jesus. That makes more tiny seeds that can help other people grow their faith too! That’s why it is important for us to tell our friends about Jesus.
GROWING SEED ACTIVITY
Have children stand in a circle Guide them through actions that represent the growth cycle:
- Have children chirp and flap arms: “Birds are coming to nest in your branches!”
- Crouch down small: “You’re a tiny seed in the ground”
- Wiggle fingers upward: “The rain is helping you grow”
- Slowly stand up with arms at sides: “You’re starting to sprout!”
- Raise arms gradually: “You’re growing taller and taller!”
- Stand on tiptoes with arms stretched wide: “Now you’re a big plant with branches!”
MUSTARD SEED PRAYER BOOKS
Give each child a Mustard Seed Prayer Book.
CLOSING PRAYER
“Dear God, thank you for teaching us about mustard seeds. Help our faith to grow big and strong like the mustard plant. Help us to trust in you even when things seem small. We love you, God! Amen.”
Mustard Seed Bookmarks (11:00-11:15 a.m.)
MUSTARD SEED JARS
Wooden Bookmarks
String
Mustard Seeds
Markers
Tacky Glue
Each child will decorate their bookmark with markers and tie string on the end. They will glue mustard seeds onto the bookmarks. As children work, remind them: “These tiny seeds remind us that even when our faith feels small, God can help it grow into something big and amazing!”
FULL SCRIPTURE: Mark 4:26-34
“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”