The Story
Read about the parable of the Sower in one of these gospels:
- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
- Mark 4:3-20
- Luke 8:4-15
Reading the story with children
Consider asking the children to gather seeds and fruit to display as you read the Lord’s Word. You might also want to have a container of hard earth (wayside), a stone, a weed with thorns, and a plant pulled from the ground to reveal the roots to show the children in connection with this story.
Ideas for Discussion
- The Lord told the parable of the sower while sitting in a boat on the sea. What is a parable? (A story with a deeper meaning.) What is a sower? (A person who throws seed onto the ground to grow something.)
- The sower threw seed onto four kinds of ground: the wayside, stony ground, among thorns, and on good ground. What happened to the seeds in each place?
- The Lord is the sower of truth. He plants true ideas from His Word in our minds. Just as the sower spreads his seeds over various kinds of earth, the Lord makes His truth available to all people—not just those who will use it to bear good fruit.
- We may find ourselves more or less receptive of the truths of the Word at different times of our lives. Or we may find ourselves more receptive of some seeds than others. When might it be challenging for us to be “good ground” for seeds of truth?
- The parable is similar in the three gospels, but there are some differences. In Mark, the Lord explains that the sower is sowing the Word (Mark 4:9). And in Luke, He explains that the seeds falling on good ground picture people who hear the Word with a good heart, keep it, and “bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). What might it mean to hear the Word with a good heart, keep it, and “bear fruit with patience”? (see Luke 8:15).
- What are some truths that you would like to “cultivate” in your mind and bring to fruit in your life?
Read more about the Parable of the Sower
- “The Parable of the Sower” by Patrick A. Rose (teens and up)
The Lord wants the seed of His Word to take root and grow within our minds, and within our lives, so that He might bless us with happiness for ever and ever. - “The Parable of the Sower” by unknown author (ages 3-8)
We must keep our minds clean and ready for new seeds, so that good things can grow there. - A Deeper Meaning to the Bible by Peter M. Buss, Jr. (ages 18 and up)
The Lord will enlighten us, if we approach the Word with awe at its holiness and if we seek to be led by Him to live the life that leads to heaven.
Projects and activities for all ages
- The Lord as the Sower (ages 4-10)
Make a picture of the Lord with His arms reaching out to give us seeds of truth. - Planting Seeds (ages 7-10)
Help children experience the joy of sowing seeds and watching them grow. - Parable of the Sower Book (ages 7-14)
Illustrate the text from Mark 4, cut out the pages and bind them on the left side to make a book. - The Parable of the Sower Coloring Page by Josephine Ellis
Shows the sower spreading seeds on the ground with rocks and thorns nearby. - Parable of the Sower Collage (ages 7-14)
Use pebbles, seeds, thorns, etc. to make a collage illustrating this parable. - How Are You Listening? (ages 11-14)
Students role-play and observe different kinds of listening as a way to deepen their understanding of the parable of the sower. - Sequencing Cards for the Parable of the Sower (ages 10-14)
Cut apart and sequence the pictures in the order given in the Word. - Parable of the Sower Experiment (ages 7-14)
An experiment designed to simulate the planting conditions described in the parable of the sower. - The Sower Song Video (ages 4-10)
Sing along to this simple song and learn the parable of the Sower from Matthew 13. - Cultivating Good Ground (ages 11-14)
Explore the parable of the sower by considering what it might be like to have attitudes like the different kinds of ground—and the actions and results that follow. - Parable of the Sower Cards for Exploring the Deeper Meaning (ages 11 and up)
Sequence the story cards, then match them to the text and explanation. - Healthy Growing Environments (ages 15 and up)
Take an indepth look at the important part that various environments play in our spiritual lives.
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