Lesson 1: Seeds in good soil.
Passage: Luke 8:1-15 - Jesus tells a parable in which a farmer scatters seed on different kinds of ground. Some fell along a path, some on rocky ground, some among thorny bushes, and some onto good soil. He then explains that the seed represents the word of God, and the different kinds of ground represent different conditions of the heart. The good soil represents a heart that hears the word and retains it. This is the kind of heart in which God’s word can grow and produce good results.
Big Idea: Hearing vs. Listening
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read a book about seeds.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we're starting a new series all about the stories Jesus told to his friends and followers, to teach them important lessons! In today's story, Jesus talks about a farmer who scatters seeds in different places to see if the seed will grow!
Has anyone ever tried planting a seed before? What kind of things does a seed need to grow into a big, healthy plant?
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What happened in Nana Alex's story from when she was a kid?
Do you think she heard her nana's warnings to be careful when she was running in the playground? Do you think she was really listening?
Do you think there's a difference between hearing and really listening? How can you tell if someone is really listening?
Do you think Jesus has important words and teachings to share with us? What are some ways that we can really listen to what Jesus has to say?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about hearing and listening. Please help us to learn how to listen carefully when others are talking to us, instead of just hearing the sounds of talking but not really paying attention. Please help us to also listen carefully to the teachings of Jesus because there are many important and good lessons we can learn from them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Growing Seeds Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will glue kraft paper "ground" and seeds onto white paper, then draw plants/flowers growing out of them.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Floor is Lava — Activity Leader
Activity leader will spread dots around the floor, which the students will walk/dance around until the teacher calls a color. They kids will then try to get their feet on the right color dot.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we're starting a new series all about the stories Jesus told to his friends and followers, to teach them important lessons! In today's story, Jesus talks about a farmer who scatters seeds in different places to see if the seed will grow!
Has anyone ever tried planting a seed before? What kind of things does a seed need to grow into a big, healthy plant?
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was it that was happening in Nana Alex's story from when she was a child? What did she learn from that?
In Jesus' story, the farmer was scattering seeds on different places, like a pathway, some rocky ground, thorny bushes, and good soil... What do you think each of these things are supposed to mean?
What is something we can learn from Jesus' story about the difference between hearing and listening?
How can you tell if someone is really listening or not?
Do you think Jesus' words are important to really listen to carefully? Why do you think so?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about hearing and listening. Please help us to learn how to listen carefully when others are talking to us, instead of just hearing the sounds of talking but not really paying attention. Please help us to also listen carefully to the teachings of Jesus because there are many important and good lessons we can learn from them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Growing Seeds Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will glue kraft paper "ground" and seeds onto white paper, then draw plants/flowers growing out of them.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Build a Shake — Activity Leader
Students have 2-4 minutes to pair up and create a handshake with their partner (if there is an extra student, they can pair up with the activity leader). After two minutes, the pairs will show off their handshake to the group. If there is time, do another round with new partners.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we're starting a new series on the parables of Jesus. We've talked about some of Jesus' parables in the past.
Can anyone remember what a parable is?
What is the purpose of a parable?
Today's parable of Jesus is called the Parable of the Sower, which is about a farmer who went around scattering seeds to see if it would grow.
Let's watch today's video to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was it that was happening in Nana Alex's story from when she was a child? What did she learn from that experience?
In Jesus' parable, the farmer was scattering seeds on different places, like a pathway, some rocky ground, thorny bushes, and good soil... What do you think each of these things represent?
What is something we can learn from Jesus' parable about the difference between hearing and listening?
What do you think would be the result if someone was truly listening to Jesus' words and teachings, instead of just hearing them?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today from Jesus' Parable of the Sower. Thank you that we know that your words are good and that you put your words in our hearts to teach us about how to live good lives. Please help us to really let your words sink into our hearts and minds so that we care changed by them, instead of letting them go in one ear and out the other. Please help us to learn the importance of listening and not just hearing. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Growing Seeds Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will glue kraft paper "ground" and seeds onto white paper, then draw plants/flowers growing out of them.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What happened in Nana Alex's story from when she was a kid? What did that story teach you about hearing and listening?
What happened in Jesus' story about the farmer? What was the farmer doing?
If Jesus' words and teachings are like a seed being planted in our hearts, how can we make sure those words stay in our hearts and grow?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was the farmer doing in the story? What do you think the seeds are supposed to mean?
What kind of ground was best for the seed to grow in - the path, the rocky ground, the thorny bushes, or the good soil?
If Jesus' words and teachings are like a seed being planted in our hearts, how can we make sure those words stay in our hearts and grow like a seed in good soil?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was the farmer doing in the story? What were the different kinds of ground that he scattered seed on? What do you think these different parts of the story represent?
What do you think Jesus' parable can teach us about the difference between hearing and listening? How can you tell if someone is really listening?
What are some ways that we can learn to truly listen to Jesus' words and let them change our hearts and lives?
