LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Jesus told a crowd a parable about a farmer scattering seed. Some seed fell on a hard path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil. Later, Jesus explained that the seed represents God’s word, and the soils picture the different ways people respond to what God says. The heart that welcomes God’s word and holds onto it is like good soil, where real growth happens.
In this lesson, preschoolers can begin to understand that God wants our hearts to be soft and ready to listen. The goal is not to press every detail of the parable, but to help children see a simple truth, God’s teachings should be received with joy, cared for, and obeyed. Mission Bible Class also highlights that Jesus taught this parable while speaking from a boat so the crowd could hear Him, which helps set the scene for the story.
PLAY ROOM 8:45–9:00
Children will be dropped off in the playroom between 8:45–9:00 a.m. Allow them to play freely as they arrive. Transition them to the classroom at 9:00 a.m.
OPENING ACTIVITY 9:00–9:15 | Decorate a Pot, Plant a Flower
Items Needed
- Clear plastic cups or pots
- Paint or permanent markers
- Potting soil
- Large seeds (sunflowers or beans)
- Spoons
- Water spray bottle
- Paper towels
Children decorate their cup or pot. Then they will fill a cup with soil, press in a seed, and add a little water. Remind them that seeds grow best in good soil, just like God’s word grows in a heart that listens.
BIBLE STORY 9:15–9:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Matthew
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? New Testament
[Hold up a few seeds.]
Look at these tiny seeds. Seeds are small, but they can grow into something big.
One day, Jesus sat by the water to teach people. More and more people came to listen, so Jesus got into a boat and taught the crowd from there. Jesus told the people a story. It was about a sower, a person who throws seeds on the ground.
[Pretend to toss seeds with your hand.]
Everybody toss pretend seeds. Ready? Toss, toss, toss.
Some seeds fell on the path. The ground was hard. The seeds stayed on top. Then birds came and ate them up.
Some seeds fell on rocky ground. The seeds started to grow fast, but there was not much dirt. The roots could not grow down deep, so the little plants died.
Some seeds fell where thorny weeds were growing. The plants started to grow, but the weeds crowded them and choked them.
Some seeds fell on good soil. The dirt was soft and ready. The seed grew and grew and made a big, healthy plant.
Jesus said the seed is like God’s word, and the soil is like our hearts. When we listen to God, love His word, and obey Him, our hearts are like good soil. That is the kind of heart God wants us to have.
Theological Questions:
- Who gives us His word? (God)
- What kind of heart does God want us to have? (A heart that listens and obeys)
Life Application Questions:
- How can you listen when God’s word is being taught? (Quiet ears, looking, paying attention)
- What can you do when you hear something God wants you to obey? (Do it, trust Him, and follow Him)
Prayer:
Dear God, open our eyes to see the wonderful things You teach us. Help our hearts be like good soil so Your word can grow in us. Amen!
WORSHIP IN SONG 9:25–9:35
PRAYER 9:35–9:45 a.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for hearts that listen to God and accept His teachings.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 9:45–9:55 | Soil Corner Run
Label four corners of the room Path, Rocks, Thorns, Good Soil. Call out Good Soil when saying the verse and let children run to that corner, because that is the soil where God’s word grows well
BIBLE CRAFT 9:55–10:10 | Parable of Seed and Sewer
List of Items Needed:
- 2 paper plates per child (1 full – blue, 1 half – brown)
- Brown crayons
- Blue crayons
- Glue
- Stapeler
- Seed cutouts (pre-cut in ziploc bags on the wall)
Children color the inside of one paper plate blue to show the sky, and color part of the outside of another plate brown to show soil. Leaders staple the soil section onto the blue plate so it looks like a patch of ground. They should paste the Bible verse on the soil. Then children add paper seed cutouts into the soil to remind them God wants our hearts to be like good soil, ready to receive His word. They should take turns “picking” a seed off the wall to put into the soil. As they pick one, read the Bible verse that goes with it. When the craft is complete, staple the Bible verse sheet to the back of the plate.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 10:10–10:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks while they watch the Bible story video.
BONUS ACTIVITY: What’s Growing in the Bag?”
Prep Time: Begin 7-10 days before class
Activity Time: 10-15 minutes
WHAT YOU WILL NEED (FOR THE LEADER TO PREP AHEAD)
- 4 large zip-lock bags (gallon size works best)
- Dried pinto beans or lima beans (both are large, easy to see, and fast-sprouting)
- Paper towels
- Water
- Tape and a marker to label each bag
- A sunny windowsill or warm spot in your home
HOW TO PREP EACH BAG
You will prepare four bags at four different stages so that during class you have a visual progression to show the kids. The key is to start them on different days so they are each at a different point of growth when class begins.
Bag 1: The Seed (No Growth) Fold a dry paper towel and place it inside the bag. Tuck 2-3 dry beans between the paper towel and the clear side of the bag so they are visible. Do not add water. Label this bag “The Seed.” Prepare this bag the day before class so it looks completely dry and untouched.
Bag 2: Just Sprouting (2-3 Days Before Class) Fold a paper towel, dampen it thoroughly with water, and place it inside the bag. Press 2-3 beans between the wet paper towel and the clear front of the bag. Seal the bag and place it against a sunny window using a small piece of tape to hold it in place. Check it daily and re-wet the paper towel if it begins to dry out. By class day, you should see the seed coat splitting open and a tiny white root beginning to emerge.
Bag 3: Small Sprout with Root (5-6 Days Before Class) Follow the same steps as Bag 2. By class day, this bag should show a visible white root curving downward and possibly a small green shoot beginning to push upward. This is the most exciting bag for kids to see.
Bag 4: Full Sprout with Leaves (7-10 Days Before Class) Follow the same steps as Bag 2. By class day, this bag should have a strong root system and green leaves pushing up from the seed. This represents growth that has truly taken hold.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
- Keep the paper towel moist but not soaking. If water pools at the bottom of the bag, the seed can rot instead of sprout.
- Tape the bags to a south-facing window for the most light and warmth.
- Lima beans tend to sprout a little faster than pinto beans. Either will work well.
- If a bag is not progressing fast enough, move it to a warmer spot, such as the top of a refrigerator.
- Always prep an extra bag at each stage in case one does not sprout correctly.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Matthew 13:1-9 (ESV)
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:18-23 (ESV)
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway:
Have a heart that accepts God’s teachings
What I learned today:
Today we learned Jesus told a story about seeds and soil. The seed is like God’s word, and the soil is like our hearts. God wants us to listen to His teaching, believe it, and let it grow in us.
Questions to ask me:
- Who told the parable of the sower? (Jesus)
- What did the seed stand for in the story? (God’s word, or Jesus’ teaching)
- What kind of soil made the seed grow best? (Good soil)
- What does the good soil stand for? (A heart that hears and accepts God’s word)
- Why did Jesus tell parables? (To teach people important truths in story form)
- How can you show listening ears at church? (By being quiet, watching, and paying attention)
- What can you do when God tells you to obey? (I can obey right away)
- What are some things that can distract us from God? (Worries, busyness, and other things that pull our attention away)
- How can your heart be like good soil this week? (By listening to God’s word and doing what it says)
- Who can help you grow in God’s word? (God, my family, and my church leaders)
Memory Verse: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18 (ESV)