The Parable of the Sower • Lesson 10 Bible Point We can ...storage.cloversites.com › thechurchatrutledge › documents › Feb 1 Pr… · The Parable of the Sower • Lesson 10

The Parable of the Sower • Lesson 10

We can help others follow Jesus.

Bible Point

Bible Verse“Work...as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Ephesians 6:7).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n learn that we help others when we tell them about Jesus,

n realize that God’s love grows and spreads, n help Pockets remember something important, and n discover ways to tell others about Jesus.

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn The parable of the sower

At this point in his ministry, Jesus began using parables more often to get his message across. A parable is a story that presents a message in a somewhat obscure way. By using parables, Jesus could get through to people who were following him and were willing to dig into what he said to discover the truth. At the same time, people who weren’t willing to carefully ponder what Jesus said wouldn’t understand. Jesus wanted his followers to be serious about believing in him. Jesus even explained his use of parables to his disciples in Luke 8:10, after

they had asked him the meaning of the parable of the sower.The emphasis of Jesus’ explanation of this parable is that we must be prepared to take in God’s

Word when we hear it. If we don’t take it deeply into our hearts and water it through careful thought and faithful action, the seeds of God’s Word will not produce fruit in us.

This parable also speaks to the way we share God’s message with others. Sometimes the hearts of others are ready; sometimes they are hard as rocks. We must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in presenting Jesus to people in ways that will work to soften and prepare the hearts of those who are not yet ready to take it in and let it grow within them. But we also must not be afraid to proclaim the whole Gospel message to those whose hearts are fertile soil just waiting for that seed!

Prayer• Read Luke 8:16-18.• How does this passage, which follows today’s passage, relate to the parable of the sower?• How brightly do you let your lamp shine?• Pray: Lord, please show me ways I can plant seeds in the lives of…

Luke 8:4-15

133Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6134

Lesson 10

What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

Welcome Time

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“Perfect Present Name Tags” (p. 22), markers, safety pins or tape

Let’s Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the

optional activities until everyone

arrives.

Option 1: Thumbprint Flowers—Make colorful flowers using their thumbs.

Tape, construction paper, paper cup, scissors, damp paper towel

Option 2: Planting Seeds—Plant seeds to grow a miniature garden.

Cup of grass seed, sponges, plastic foam cups, newspaper, scissors, water

Option 3: Good Seeds—Create artwork with different kinds of grains and seeds.

Paper, glue sticks, rolled oats, rice, dried beans, various flower seeds

Pick Up Our Toys—Sing a song as they pick up toys, and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Practice spreading an important message.

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Pretend to plant seeds while they listen to Jesus’ parable from Luke 8:4-15.

Bag of sunflower seeds

Do the Bible Story—Experiment with magnets, and learn about drawing others to Jesus.

Thin knit glove, magnet, paper clip

Closing Pass It On—Help Pockets remember the most important message of all.

Ribbon

Friendly Reminder—Sing a song, and tell ways to share Jesus with others.

Bible, thumbprint flowers from Option 1, CD player

This Lesson at a Glance

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab

Supplies listed on the chart.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction as you teach the lesson.

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6 135

The Parable of the Sower

Welcome TimeSUPPLIES: “Perfect Present Name Tags” (p. 22), markers, safety pins or tape

• Bend down and make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them about last week’s lesson. Use questions such as “How did

you follow Jesus last week?” and “Why is it important to keep our eyes on Jesus?”• Say: Today we’re going to learn that we can help others follow Jesus.• Hand out the perfect present name tags children made during Lesson 1, and help

them attach the name tags to their clothing. If any of the name tags were damaged or if children weren’t in class that week, have children make new name tags using the photocopiable handout.

• Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate among the children to offer help as needed and to direct their conversation

toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “How do you feel when a friend shares a message with you?” or “When have you passed on an important message?”

n Option 1: Thumbprint FlowersSUPPLIES: tape, construction paper, scissors, paper cup, damp paper towel

Place construction paper, tape, the chopsticks, and the ink pad on a table. Tell children that they’ll be making a beautiful garden with their thumbs. Show the children how to stamp thumbprints on their papers to create flower petals. Let children cut around the thumbprints and tape their flower petals on the ends of chopstick “stems.” As children are creating their special flowers, mention that every flower comes from a seed and grows up

differently. Tell children that people, like flowers, are all different—and that Jesus loves all people. Tell them that today they’ll learn that we can help others follow Jesus.

Help children gather their flowers and place them in a paper-cup “vase.” Then have children wipe their thumbs on a damp paper towel. Return the ink pad to the Learning Lab box.

n Option 2: Planting SeedsSUPPLIES: cup of grass seed, sponges, plastic foam cups, newspaper, scissors, water

Before this activity, cut sponges into 3x3-inch squares or circles.Cover a table with newspaper. Place the sponges, a cup of grass seed, and plastic

foam cups on the table. Direct children to each choose a cup and a sponge and place

If the ink pad is dry, moisten it with three to five drops of water.

If not all children do Option 1, be sure there are enough flowers for each child to have one for the Closing activity. You could make some in advance, or allow children to make extras.


Lesson 10

the sponge in the cup. Have children sprinkle grass seed into the sponges’ holes; then help them pour a small amount of water over the sponges.

As children sow their seeds on the sponges, ask questions such as “How do seeds grow?” and “Why does a plant have roots?” Tell children that they’ll hear a story about seeds.

Tell children to keep water in the cup and to place the sponge in a sunny window. The plants should sprout in a week to 10 days.

n Option 3: Good SeedsSUPPLIES: paper, glue sticks, rolled oats, rice, dried beans, various flower seeds

Show children how to use a glue stick to draw a shape on paper. Then sprinkle grains or seeds over the glue to create a work of art. Let children experiment with the different shapes and textures available to make a picture.

As children work, tell them that today’s Bible story is about a man who planted seeds. Ask them what kinds of seeds and plants they’ve seen growing and how to tell if plants are growing or dying.

After everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to the Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n Pick Up Our ToysSUPPLIES: CD player

Lead children in singing “Pick Up Our Toys” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.” Encourage children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

If you want to include the names of all the children in the class, sing the song without the CD, and repeat the naming section. If you choose to use the CD, vary the names you use each week.

We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys,And put them all away.

Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSUPPLIES: none

Tell children you’ll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap, children are to stop what they’re doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys,Putting them all away.

track 2

(Repeat.)



Ask children to each find a place to sit on the floor apart from other children. Say: I have a message that I want to spread from person to person. I’ll whisper the message to one of you. You’ll stand up, walk to someone else, whisper the message to that person, and then sit down in his or her place. Then that person will spread the message to someone else.

Whisper one of the following messages into a child’s ear:• God wants us to spread his love.• I like to tell others about Jesus!Continue until everyone’s had a chance to deliver the message. Ask: • What was the message you heard? Have a child repeat the message

aloud.• How did the message get around the room? (We spread the message; we

told each other.)• Why do we want to tell others good or important news? (So people will

share it; so people know what’s going on; to help other people.)Say: Important messages can help people, and it’s good to share those

messages. Today we’re going to learn that we can help others follow Jesus. We want everyone to get the message about how much Jesus loves them.

n Bible Song and Prayer TimeSUPPLIES: Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket or box

Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper into 2x6-inch strips. Prepare a surprise card for each child, plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and stamp the flower stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Luke 8:4-15 in the Bible you’ll be using.

Have the children sit in a circle. Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I’ll hand out the surprise cards. Don’t look inside your surprise card until the song is over.

Lead children in singing “Read God’s Book” (track 3) with the CD to the tune of “The Muffin Man.” As you sing, hand out the folded surprise cards.

Now it’s time to read God’s book,Read God’s book, read God’s book.Now it’s time to read God’s book.Let’s hear a Bible story.(Repeat 3x.)

After the song, say: You may look inside your surprise cards. The person who has the flower stamped inside his or her card will be our Bible person for today.

You’ll probably be able to reuse most of the surprise cards. Each week, throw out any crumpled or torn cards, and make enough new cards for each child to have one. Keep a list of who’s been the Bible person so everyone gets a chance.

track 3


Lesson 10

Identify the Bible person. Ask the Bible person to bring you the Bible. Lead the class in clapping for the Bible person, cheering, and making fun applause sound effects by slapping your thighs with your palms. Help the Bible person open the Bible to the marked place, and show children where your story comes from. Then have the Bible person sit down.

Say: [Name] was our special Bible person today. Each week we’ll have only one special Bible person, but each one of you is a special part of our class! Today we’re all learning that we can help others follow Jesus.

Let’s say a special prayer now and ask God to help us tell other people about Jesus. I’ll pass around this basket. When the basket comes to you, put your surprise card in it and say, “God, please help me tell others about Jesus.”

Have a child pass around the basket or box. When you’ve collected everyone’s surprise card, set the basket aside, and pick up the Bible. Lead children in this prayer: God, thank you for the Bible and for all the stories in it. Teach us today that

we can help others follow Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySUPPLIES: bag of sunflower seeds

Bring out the Learning Mat: Parables of Jesus, and have children gather around it with you. Say: Our Bible story today comes from the book of Luke. Jesus told stories to help us learn important things. Jesus’ stories are called parables. Our Learning Mat shows us some exciting pictures from some of his parables. Before I tell you one of Jesus’ parables, I have a riddle. See if you can guess who I am and what I’m doing. Say the following words as you pretend to sow seeds in a field:

I work hard in the rain and the sun to grow good food for everyone. Who am I? (A farmer.)

Ask: • What was I doing when I pretended to be a farmer? (Planting seeds; throwing seeds in a field.)

Say: Stand up, and let’s toss a handful of seeds into the air! Pause for children to act out the motion of sowing seeds.

Ask: • Where did your seeds land? (They scattered; everywhere!)Say: Our Bible story is about seeds that were sown, or planted, and about

where the seeds landed and how they grew. You can help me tell the story with these seeds. Hand each child four sunflower seeds that are still in their shells. When I describe where a seed fell, lay a sunflower seed on the Learning Mat picture that shows the seeds.

A farmer went to his field to sow seeds. He tossed the seeds in the air, and when they fell, they scattered around. Some of the seeds fell on the hard road. Pause for each child to place one seed on the road. These seeds didn’t grow at all. People walked on the seeds, and birds ate them. The road wasn’t a good place for seeds to grow.

Some of the seeds fell among rocks. Have each child place a seed on the rocks in the picture. The seeds grew a tiny bit, but they couldn’t push their roots down deep to find water. They soon wilted and died. The rocks weren’t a good place for seeds to grow either.

Watch children carefully, and remind them not to put the seeds in their mouths, since the seeds can be choking hazards for young children.



Some of the seeds landed in thorns and weeds. Let each child place a seed on the illustration showing the thorns. The seeds sent down little roots and began to grow. But the thorns and the weeds choked them out. The thorny weeds weren’t a good place for seeds to grow.

Some of the seeds landed in good soil. Pause while the children place their last seeds on the picture of the good soil with the growing plants. The seeds sent down strong roots and grew into plants that produced grain for the happy farmer. With the grain from the seeds, the farmer fed his family and other people, too. Those seeds grew and spread to make many more seeds!

Ask: • Which seeds grew the best? Why? (The seeds in the good soil, because they could send down roots and get water.)

• Why was the farmer happy when he saw the seeds that grew? (The seeds made lots of grain; the seeds made more seeds; the farmer could feed lots of people.)

Say: Seeds planted in good soil grow, feed us, and spread to make more seeds. Jesus’ story tells us that God’s love grows in people’s hearts just as seeds grow in the ground. We plant seeds of love by telling others about Jesus. Then God’s love grows in their hearts, and they tell even more people. Pretty soon God’s love is growing everywhere!

Ask: • How is God’s love like seeds that grow? (His love spreads; it helps us; we can give it to others.)

• How can we spread God’s Word to others? (By praying; reading the Bible; being kind to others; following Jesus; telling others about Jesus and God.)

• Why is it important to tell others about Jesus? (So they’ll know about Jesus; because we can help others follow him; because Jesus wants us to tell people about him.)

Say: We want to be like farmers planting special seeds. We plant seeds of God’s love by telling others about Jesus and about how Jesus cares for them. When we tell others about Jesus, we spread his love, and it grows. We can help others follow Jesus. Let’s think of people we can tell about Jesus and his love.

Have children take turns removing seeds from the picture. Each time a child removes a seed, let the child name someone

he or she can tell about Jesus or share a way to spread Jesus’ love with others. Continue until all the seeds have been gathered. Collect the seeds from the children.

Say: Let’s pray that we’ll be able to share the love of Jesus this week.

Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you that you love us. Thank you that you’re our friend. Help us to tell others about you and to show your love with our actions. In your name, amen.

Save the seeds for later. Fold the Learning Mat, and return it to the Learning Lab box.

If you have extra time, lead children in singing “Follow in His Steps” (1 Peter 2:21b) (track 13) to the tune of “London Bridge.”

Jesus helps us follow in his steps,

Follow in his steps,Follow in his steps.Jesus helps us follow

in his steps,Because he loves us!(Repeat.)


Lesson 10

n Do the Bible StorySUPPLIES: thin knit glove, magnet, paper clip

Before class, place a magnet in the index finger tip of the glove. Say: We’re learning that we can help others follow Jesus. Point to yourself and say, “Jesus loves me.” Pause. Now point to someone in our class and say, “Jesus loves you.” Pause. Point up to heaven and say, “Jesus is alive!” Pause. When we tell others about Jesus, we’re pointing them to Jesus. Let’s do an experiment to see what it means to point others to Jesus.

Gather children around you, and put on the glove with the magnet in the fingertip. Show children the paper clip and your gloved finger, and say: Let's pretend this paper clip is my friend and my finger is me. When I tell my friend about Jesus, my friend will want to follow Jesus.

Let the children watch you touch the paper clip with each finger, saving the magnetic finger for last. Let them comment on what happens when each finger touches the paper clip. When the finger with the magnet comes close to the paper clip, ask:

• What happened to the paper clip when my finger came close to it? (It moved; the paper clip followed your finger.)

• Why do you think the paper clip followed the glove? (There’s something inside the glove; there’s a magnet somewhere.)

Say: Inside a fingertip of this glove, I put a magnet. The paper clip just followed the glove. It’s kind of like that with people when we tell them about Jesus. When we tell others about Jesus, they’re attracted to him, and they follow him. We can help others follow Jesus.

Let children take turns putting on the glove and moving the paper clip.

Closingn Pass It OnSUPPLIES: ribbon

Before class, tie a ribbon or piece of yarn around Pockets’ tail.Have children sit in a circle. Bring out Pockets the Kangaroo, and go through the

following script. After you finish the script, put Pockets away and out of sight.

Use an inexpensive, one-size-fits-all knit glove, generally available in discount stores for about a dollar per pair.

Warning!This activity uses magnets. Swallowed magnets can attract each other through opposing intestine walls, causing serious infection or even death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are swallowed or inhaled.



n Friendly ReminderSUPPLIES: Bible, thumbprint flowers from Option 1, CD player

Open your Bible to Ephesians 6:7, and show children the words. Say: Our Bible verse is Ephesians 6:7, which says, “Work...as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” This means that whatever we do, we want to do it for Jesus. We can help others follow Jesus, but we should do this as a way of serving Jesus, not to get praise. Let’s sing a song that will remind us of this Bible verse.

Lead children in singing “Work” (Ephesians 6:7) (track 15) with the CD.

Pockets: (Hopping up and down) G’day, mates. How are you on this fine and lovely day?

Teacher: We’re having a good time today, Pockets. Say, that’s an unusual-looking thing on your tail. Is it a bracelet?

Pockets: Sort of. It’s to help me remember to give a message to my friend Sam. I’m supposed to tell him to…to…to… (Looks worried.)

Teacher: Oops. I think you forgot the message, didn’t you, Pockets?

Pockets: Oh, well, no big deal. No message is that important. I’ll just tell Sam I forgot. No sweat!

Teacher: We’ve been learning about messages today, Pockets. And it is important to spread some messages. Do you know why?

Pockets: Go on! It can’t be that important to tell a message.

Teacher: Kids, can you tell Pockets about one message that’s important to tell others? (Pause for children to share their ideas. Help them repeat the Bible Point.)

Pockets: How can I help others follow Jesus? I don’t understand.

Teacher: One way is to tell them the important messages about Jesus, right friends? (Encourage children to express to Pockets how being kind to others and telling others about Jesus teaches them about God’s love.) You see, Pockets, we can help others follow Jesus. Some messages are very important.

Pockets: I understand now. When I tell others the message about Jesus and how he loves us, they can follow Jesus, too!

Teacher: Good for you, Pockets.

Pockets: And even if I can’t remember what I was going to tell Sam, I have the best message of all to share with him now! Thanks for telling me the message about Jesus. And see? It did help someone—me! Goodbye.

Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

track 15


Lesson 10

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Jesus, I’m so gladI get to work for you!And it’s so funBecause it’s all for you!

There’s a whole lotta thingsThat I need to do.Instead of doing it for others,It’s all for you.And I’m glad I get to work for you!

(Repeat from the beginning 2x.)

Yeah, Jesus, I’m gladI get to work for you!Yeah, I’m gladI get to work for you!“Work” (Ephesians 6:7) by Jay Stocker. © 2004 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Distribute the thumbprint flowers children made during Option 1. Have children form pairs, and then say: These flowers remind us of the seed story and the work that we can do for Jesus. In the story, we learned that we can help others by telling them about Jesus. Trade flowers with your partner, and tell one thing you can tell someone about Jesus. Pause while children share.

Find a new partner. Pause. Now, trade flowers with your new partner, and tell him or her the name of one person you can tell about Jesus this week. Pause while children share. Then say: Let’s join hands in a circle and pray.

Pray: Dear God, please help us learn that the message about Jesus is the most important message there is. And help us realize that we can help others follow Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.



n Lively Learning: Sow the SeedsBefore this activity, tape together four sheets of newsprint to make a large

square. In one square, draw thorns; in another square, draw a road; in the third square, draw rocks; and in the last square, draw good soil and seedlings.

Place the large newsprint square on the floor. Stick a piece of masking tape on the floor 3 feet away from the paper. Hand each child three sunflower seeds, and then have children line up behind the tape. When you say, “Sow the seeds,” have children take turns trying to toss one of their seeds onto the good soil. A child may retrieve his or her seed from the good soil to toss again next turn. Remove any seeds that land on the road, rocks, or thorns. Continue playing until everyone has had two turns.

n Make to Take: Sower’s SackSet out crayons, markers, paper lunch sacks, scissors, a hole punch,

construction paper, tape, and yarn. Tell children that they’ll be making seed pouches to go around their waists. Have them decorate sacks using crayons and markers. Let each child cut a length of yarn to go around his or her waist. Use a hole punch to punch two holes through the top edge of the sack. Run the yarn through the holes, and tie the ends around children’s waists. As needed, reinforce the holes with tape.

As children work, explain that farmers once wore seed pouches in the field to keep seeds handy for sowing.

Help children cut heart-shaped “seeds” from construction paper. Write “Jesus” on each seed, and put the seeds in the seed pouches. Encourage children to sow the seeds of love by handing the hearts to family and friends.

n Treat to Eat: Seed FeedLet the children in your class enjoy a seed feed. Have children wash their hands. Set out

paper plates and bowls of popped popcorn and crisp rice cereal. Explain that these foods are made from different seeds or grains. For extra fun, let children “peck” the seeds and eat them as the birds in the Bible story ate the seeds on the road. Remind the children that good seeds grow and spread to feed others just as we can help others follow Jesus.

n Story Picture: Pass on the MessageHand each child a photocopy of the “Today I Learned…” handout. Have children color their pictures with

crayons or markers and then glue rice or unpopped popcorn kernels on the seeds the farmer is sowing. As children work, ask them to tell you about each place the seeds in the picture fell. Remind children that planting seeds is like spreading the good news about Jesus and that we can help others follow Jesus.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

Family Funl Make doorknob hangers to help tell someone about

Jesus. Help your child write the Verse to Learn (or a verse of his or her choice) on the hanger. Add colorful decorations with markers, ribbon, or glitter. Staple a small bag of sunflower seeds on the hanger. Surprise a friend or neighbor by secretly putting the hanger on his or her doorknob.

l Talk about who in your family or circle of friends doesn’t know about Jesus. Include them in your family’s prayers all week.

Verse to Learn“Work...as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Ephesians 6:7).

Ask Me . . .l What happened to the seeds the farmer sowed?

l How do you feel when you tell someone about Jesus?

l How can you help your family follow Jesus this week?

The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-15)

Today your child learned that we can help others follow Jesus. Children learned the parable of the sower and the seed, and they practiced telling others about Jesus.

Lesson 10

We can help others follow Jesus.

144Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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The Parable of the Sower • Lesson 10 Bible Point We can ...storage.cloversites.com › thechurchatrutledge › documents › Feb 1 Pr… · The Parable of the Sower • Lesson 10