The Parable of the Sower and the Seed For Xtreme and Grid Briefly look at the worksheet

about different parables that Jesus told. They do not need to look them up in the Bible just ask them if they know which is which, and talk about why Jesus used parables to explain important lessons (simpler for normal people to understand, but not for the so-called wise people at the time, and he didnt want them to understand!) Memory Verse: "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18a NKJV You will need a) copies of the parables worksheet (one for each pair) b) song (there are two on each page), c) copies of the activity page (with birthday cake, bike etc) for pairs of children to share and d) one for each child of the seed packet/seeds pages. If you run out of time on this, let them take it home to make there. Introduction You will need some seeds, some water and a corn on the cob or some other plant that has grown. Ask the children What are these? let them hold the seeds and see if they know what any of them are. Ask them, Do they all grow into the same thing? How do they grow? Talk about sun and water and the earth. Take the children for a walk around the outside of the church, whilst you briefly run through the parable. God helps us grow in many different ways both physically and spiritually. God also helps plants and animals grow, which in turn help us grow. In today's story we will hear about some seeds that had trouble growing and why. Jesus told a story about a man who went out to sow seeds and he threw them in many different pl aces. Shall we throw some here? (Choose different places to throw them the path, some rocks, some bushes and then some good earthy spot. Keep asking them Do you think these will grow here? Why? Or Why not?) Jesus said that the seeds on the path would get picked up by the birds before they had a chance to grow! He said that the ones that fell on the stones would be baked by the sun. He said that the seeds in the bushes would grow, but then get tangled up in the bushes. But the seeds that fell in the good earth would get the sun and the rain and would grow up into beautiful plants. Lets look at the story and its explanation in our Bibles. Read Matthew 13:3-23 Discussion Questions: 1. What do you think it means to have seeds fall on the path and get eaten by birds? (People hear the word of God but they quickly forget it.) 2. What does it mean to have the seeds fall on rocky places and get baked by the sun? (People hear about God and Jesus but there is too much pressure from other people and they quickly put it aside.)

3. What is peer pressure? (pressure to go along with the group, to act or do the things others do.) 4. What are some ways that we may be persecuted or have trouble because we are Christians? (people may make fun of us, call us names, pick fights, not want to be our friends.) 5. What does it mean to have the seeds fall in the thorns and be choked out? (People hear about God and Jesus but then they start worrying about things which makes them forget.) 6. What are some things that we worry about? (sickness, school, friends, family) 7. Should we let these worries become more important than God? Why or why not? (No, God is able to help us) 8. What happened to the fourth and final batch of seeds and what does this mean? (They fell on good soil and grew very well just like when people listen to Jesus and follow his teachings.) 9. What types of things do you think are bad for us physically? (Smoking, drugs, violence.) 10. What types of things help us grow spiritually? (Going to church and Sunday school, praying, worshiping God.) Activities: 1) Song to the tune of Row, row, row your boat. We will probably do this for our childrens service in June, so learn it well! There are two copies of the song on the page, so that you will need fewer copies cut them in half and give each child or pair of children a copy.

2) What you will do: First, give pairs of children a copy of the activity page (with the pictures of the cake, the bike etc), and have them examine the pictures. Ask them what they think the pictures show (enjoyable things) Let them share which things they would like the most: Having a happy birthday, getting a shiny new bike, being able to play in "the big game in football or basketball," doing well in a Math test and of course, getting a new little puppy. Then ask, "Now, what kinds of things do you worry about?" If the children do not offer examples of things they worry about, you can suggest the following: 1. Worrying about getting a good grade on a test 2. Worrying about whether other children in the neighborhood will like you 3. Worrying about your mom or dad finding out you did something wrong 4. Worrying about what others will think if you do not do well at sports 5. Worrying about the way you look As you share the first example of something the children might worry about, have them tear off the Birthday cake from the activity page, and toss it in the trash. Give another example and have them tear off the bicycle and toss it into the trash. Repeat giving examples and tearing away at the pictures on the paper until the children have nothing left. Explain that worrying can be like this. If we spend too much time worrying, or if we worry about too

many things, what should be enjoyable is not anymore. So what should we do when something happens that might cause us to worry? The Bible says, " Cast all your worries upon Him, because he cares for you" (1Peter 5:7) so let Jesus do the worrying, so you can enjoy the things God gives you. If there is time, they can make the seed packet below and put in the seeds. They should think of other seeds that would help them to grow in the love of God (such as Stop worrying and trust God).

Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Faith; Some that fall along the path, Are quickly snatched away. Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Truth; Some that fall on rocky soil, Won't last the whole day through. Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Hope; Some that fall among the thorns, Grow weak from fear and woe. Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Life; Some that fall into good soil, Will live a life for Christ.

Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Faith; Some that fall along the path, Are quickly snatched away. Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Truth; Some that fall on rocky soil, Won't last the whole day through. Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Hope; Some that fall among the thorns, Grow weak from fear and woe. Sow, sow, sow the Word, Precious seeds of Life; Some that fall into good soil, Will live a life for Christ.