THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

 Lesson:  Growing in God's Word
Bible Passage: Mark 4:1-9

         Hold a packet of seeds in your hand for all to see.  “What do I have here?”  After the children respond, say, “This is the word of God.  It is by planting the word of God that we will grow as Christians.”  Open the packet and explain “I am now going to plant the seeds,” and throw the seeds on the floor of Sanctuary, declaring, “Stand back!”

          Wait a moment.

          “Nuttin’!  How come the plants didn’t grow?”  Regardless of what they say, respond “That’s right!  For seeds to grow, they need dirt and water and sunshine.  Jesus once told his friends that these seeds are like people.  They are happy to come to church and be with their friends, but then they go home and are tempted to maybe lie or be rude to their folks.  Or they don’t practice living the word, so they forget about it.  Others hear about how much Jesus loves them, but don’t believe it.  These people are like seeds that are thrown on the ground and not cared for.  But there are others – like seeds grown in good earth, with the right amount of water and sunshine – who will grow strong in God’s word and practices doing what Jesus tells us to do every day.  These people – and I hope you and I are amongst them – will know what it is like to walk with Jesus in the Kingdom of God; a place that is unimaginably wonderful.

          Close in prayer.