St Bart’s Kids Sunday Worship SUNDAY August 16, 2020 • WEEK 5

Bible Focus Mark 4:26-34

Theme Focus Grower

All-in Teaching Questions to ponder:

What helps us grow in our faith? What can do to help our faith grow?

Songs 1. I’m Trusting You https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=0VDpHibftHs

2. Shout (Yancy) https://www.worshiphousekids.com/kids-worship-song-tracks/28329/shout-lpp

3. My Lighthouse (Rend) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bExBG2p36vc https://www.worshiphousekids.com/kids-worship-song-tracks/28329/shout-lpp

Multimedia Kids Talk (SBK Video) Kingdom Seeds for Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY89DzlwbN4

Additional Resources Book Mark Reading Plan

This term, we are diving into the whole Gospel of Mark! This is an action packed account of Jesus’ ministry. Lots of people ask “Who is Jesus?” The best way to understand, is to read about him for yourself. Use the bookmark to follow along, and read 1 or 2 chapters each week.

Gospel of Mark

If you are in Year 3-6, look out for a your own copy of the Gospel of Mark in the mail - to read, re-read & highlight.

Gospel of Mark Cards

Each week, we are going to learn a bit more about who Jesus is. In the set of cards, there are 4 cards that relate to each week (2 duplicates). Can you find them? Using the stand, you could display one of the cards each week to remember, or even use the cards to play a game of snap or memory.

ST BART’S KIDS SUNDAY

GROWER The Growing Seed

The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who

scatters seed.

The seed grows whether the farmer

helps it or not.

Bit by bit it grows into a healthy crop.

When the grain ripens, the farmer harvests it.”

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EARLY CHILDHOOD

The Mustard Seed “God’s kingdom is like a

mustard seed.

It is the smallest seed, but grows into the

biggest tree.”

 Jesus often spoke to them using stories.

 But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything.

Mark 2:26-34ST BART’S KIDS on SUNDAYS \\ AUGUST 16, 2020 2

GROWER The Growing Seed

Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like a

farmer who scatters seed on the ground.

27 The seed comes up and grows whether the farmer helps it or not.

28 All by itself the soil produces grain.

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LOWER PRIMARY

First the stalk, then the head, and finally the full

grain appears.

29 Before long, the grain ripens and the farmer cuts it down, because the harvest is ready.”

The Mustard Seed 30-32 Jesus said, “God’s

kingdom is like a mustard seed.

It is the smallest seed, but grows into a large

tree, with big branches.” ST BART’S KIDS on SUNDAYS \\ AUGUST 16, 2020 2

33 Using stories like these, Jesus spoke to them,

telling them as much as they could understand.

34 He did not say anything without using a story.

But when he was alone with his disciples, he

explained everything. Mark 4:26-34

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Th! m"s#a$d

%e!d…

GROWER The Growing Seed

Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who scatters seed

on the ground. 27 The seed comes up and grows whether the farmer sleeps or gets up. He doesn’t know how it happens. 28 All by itself the soil produces

grain. First the stalk, then the head, and finally the full grain appears. 29 Before

long, the grain ripens and the farmer cuts it down,

because the harvest is ready.” ST BART’S KIDS on SUNDAYS \\ AUGUST 16, 2020 1

MIDDLE PRIMARY

The Mustard Seed 30-32 Jesus also said, “God’s

kingdom is like a mustard seed. It is the smallest seed, but grows into the largest of

trees, with big branches.”

33 Using stories like these, Jesus spoke to them, telling them as

much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything

without using a story. But when he was

alone with his disciples, he

explained everything.ST BART’S KIDS on SUNDAYS \\ AUGUST 16, 2020 2

Th! m"s#a$d

%e!d…

Mark 4:26-34

St Bart’s Kids Small Group Session Outline

Main Point: Kingdom of God and our faith in Jesus grows because God is at work.

Discussion Questions Read Mark 4:26-29 from the Bible Story (page 1-2)

1. What do plants need to grow? (They need sunlight, good soil, and water. All these things are gifts from God.)

2. In this story, what does the farmer do? (The farmer scatters seed generously on the ground, in all types of places.)

3. What happens without the farmer? (The seed grows - whether the farmer is working or sleeping. The farmer doesn’t need to know how this happens, it will happen without his help. Just as plants grow with rain and sunshine apart from the farmer - God also works in people through his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works inside us to get us ready to believe in him, helps us to follow him, and grow in our faith.)

4. Jesus liked to use parables to teach. What does the seed stand for? (The parable before helps us to understand that the seed is the Word of God. The farmer spreads seed like each of us can share the Gospel with our friends and family.)

5. Who helps the kingdom of God to grow? (God does all the growing, but we can share the amazing news about Jesus with our friends and family. We have a job like the farmer in scattering seed.)

Read Mark 4:30-34 from the Bible Story (page 2-3)

6. What is the tallest tree you have ever seen? How old do you think it was? Do you think it was always that big? (It is amazing to see big trees, and remember that they began life as the tiniest seed.)

7. Does God care about small things? (God loves small things, and he loves small people. The only way something grows is if God grows it. We don’t need to start big and strong - this might take a long time, but luckily Jesus is very patient with us.)

8. Which of these is helpful to grow in faith of Jesus:

Date & Week August 16, 2020 (Wk 5)

Bible Focus Mark 4:26-34

Theme Focus Grower

Explanation of the Mark Series The Gospel of Mark is an action-packed account of Jesus’ life. In 16 brief chapters, Mark reports the significant claims and actions of Jesus, giving special attention to the events leading up to his death. Mark shows us that Jesus isn’t just one dimensional, but the fulfilment of the greatest hopes for all of humanity. Over 12 weeks, we’ll be exploring who Jesus is and why he matters to us today. This will help us to answer: Who do you say that I am?

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LOWER PRIMARY

A. Join in Sunday school B. Watch scary movies C. Pray to God everyday D. Eating lots of apples E. Reading about Jesus F. Dancing and singing praise songs to God G. Being kind and forgiving to others

9. Who is someone you can pray for everyday to come to follow Jesus?

Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we don’t need to rely on our own efforts to grow, but that we can trust in you. Thank you that you take the smallest things, and grow them. We pray for our friends and family that don’t know you, that Gospel seeds would be planted and would flourish. We pray for your Kingdom on earth, that more and more people would come to trust and love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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St Bart’s Kids Small Group Session Outline

Main Point: Kingdom of God and our faith in Jesus grows because God is at work.

Discussion Questions Read Mark 4:26-29 from the Bible Story (page 1)

1. What action does the farmer take in this parable? (The farmer scatters seed generously, in all types of places.)

2. What happens without the farmer? (The seed grows - whether the farmer is working or sleeping. The farmer doesn’t need to know how this happens, it will happen without his help. Just as plants grow with rain and sunshine apart from the farmer - God also works in people through his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works inside us to get us ready to believe in him, helps us to follow him, and grow in our faith.)

3. What does the seed stand for? (The parable before in Mark 4:1-20 helps us to understand that the seed is the Word of God. The farmer spreads seed like each of us can share the Gospel with our friends and family.)

4. Imagine if every person prayed for one person everyday for them to follow Jesus. What do you think would happen? Who could you pray for?

5. Why then do you think the Kingdom of God grows? (Because God is at work, even when no one is watching. He uses the seeds planted by people sharing the Gospel, to bring people to know God, grow their faith, and grow the whole church across the world.)

Read Mark 4:30-34 from the Bible Story (page 2)

6. Have you ever felt small? How does God care about small things? (God does not ignore small things, but he has the power to grow them. We shouldn’t feel discouraged, wherever we start God will continue to work - sometimes in ways we can’t imagine.)

Date & Week August 16, 2020 (Wk 5)

Bible Focus Mark 4:26-34

Theme Focus Grower

Explanation of the Mark Series The Gospel of Mark is an action-packed account of Jesus’ life. In 16 brief chapters, Mark reports the significant claims and actions of Jesus, giving special attention to the events leading up to his death. Mark shows us that Jesus isn’t just one dimensional, but the fulfilment of the greatest hopes for all of humanity. Over 12 weeks, we’ll be exploring who Jesus is and why he matters to us today. This will help us to answer: Who do you say that I am?

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PRIMARY

7. Do you think you need to have all the answers to grow in faith? (No - God isn’t afraid of people who are unsure. As Christians, we hope we are learning more about God every single day. Jesus shows us that the Kingdom of God will start small and continue to expand!)

8. What things do you think help our faith and trust in Jesus grow? (This might include praying to God everyday, reading the Bible so we can be reminded of God working through history and who Jesus is, worshipping God at church, and talking and praying with other Christians. These simple things done everyday help us to grow.)

9. What things do you think help the church to grow? (God working through normal people who boldly point to Jesus by what they say, and how they treat others. We can keep praying that Jesus will bring people to trust in him.)

Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we don’t need to rely on our own efforts to grow, but that we can trust in you. Thank you that you take the smallest things, and grow them. We pray for our friends and family that don’t know you, that Gospel seeds would be planted and would flourish. We pray for your Kingdom on earth, that more and more people would come to trust and love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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