The Story
Read the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
Ideas for discussion
- What kind of seed was planted in the field? (wheat) How do we use wheat? (We grind the grains of wheat to make wheat flour and use the wheat flour to make bread and other food.)
- Who sowed tares among the wheat at night? (the enemy) What are tares? (a plant that looks like wheat until it is full grown, but its grain is poisonous)
- Why did they need to wait to separate the tares from the wheat? (Weeding out the tares could pull out the tender wheat plants as well.)
- The Lord is like the man who sows the good seed within the fields that symbolize our hearts and minds.
- The evil spirits are the enemy who comes and sows tares while we are spiritually asleep or unaware. It can take time for us to learn and separate what is good and true from the “tares.”
- While we are living here on earth, we have many opportunities to choose between good and evil. Sometimes we choose what is good and true. And sometimes we let selfish feelings guide our choices.
- Because the Lord wants to lead us gently toward heaven, He allows these conflicting feelings to coexist while we live in the natural world. When we go to live in the spiritual world, He will help us separate the good and the evil within us as we choose our spiritual home.
- What does this parable teach us about the way the Lord lead us? (He is gentle. He is patient. He wants to leave us in freedom to choose what we love—what we think will make us happy.)
Read more about this story:
- “Seedtime and Harvest” by Ormond Odhner (for ages 7-14)
You all probably know about the natural harvest that we experience every year. Now what is that harvest of which the Lord spoke? - “The Parable of the Tares” by Brian W. Keith (ages 18 and up)
Good and evil uncomfortably coexisting is the reality of life. And this story describes how we are to deal with certain evils in our lives.
Projects and activities for various ages:
- Tares Among the Wheat Coloring Page by Marguerite L. Acton
Ilustration of someone sowing tares among wheat planted in the field. - Sort the Wheat and the Tares (for ages 8-12)
Practice separating good and bad ideas by sorting good and bad words. - Jesus Teaching the People Coloring Page by Marguerite L. Acton
The Lord teaching people who came to hear His words. - The Meaning of the Wheat and the Tares (for ages 11-17)
Look at this list of possible interpretations of this parable and check all that you think apply. - Lifeline Stretching to Eternity (ages 15-17)
Make a "timeline" showing that your life extends to eternity! - Lord Guide Our Steps
A prayer asking the Lord to guide our steps and prepare a place for us in heaven. - Prayers for Teens on Seeds of Truth
Three prayers looking to the Lord, such as: “Lord, help us to become good ground for Your seeds of truth, so that we may yield a good crop for You.”) - Moving Away from Evil (ages 15 and up)
Read and reflect on a passage from the Heavenly Doctrines for the New Church. With color photograph illustration.
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