Session FOR THE LEADER 2 The Parable of the Sower Mark 4:1-20 A common approach Jesus used when teaching was telling parables. Parables are stories that use metaphors to relate spiritual truths to common, ordinary events or things. The listeners mentioned in this passage were familiar with farming, so the parable Jesus used would have made sense to them. Jesus once again had been surrounded by a large crowd. To effectively preach to the large crowd, Jesus boarded a small boat and pushed off from the shore. As Jesus taught from the boat, He told a story of a farmer who sowed seed. Farmers would throw the seed by hand from a small pouch, then come back later and till the seed underground. Jesus story included four types of soil. Some seed fell on the path with its hard packed soil. Some seed fell on the rocky ground. Some seed fell among the thorns and thistles. Some seed fell in the good soil. Although the farmers to whom Jesus preached would have understood His message, the disciples questioned Jesus later when they were alone. Jesus told His disciples that He used parables to help the people understand. Jesus told the disciples that He was teaching them to understand not only the earthly lessons for the people but also the mysteries about the kingdom of God. Jesus parable was not about the sower, or even the seed, but about the soils. The seed represented the Word of God. The four types of soil represented the hearts of the people receiving His Word. Those who had hearts like the path did not receive the Word at all. Those with hearts like the rocky soil received the Word, but didn t allow it to take root. Those with hearts like the ground surrounded with thorns and thistles allowed outside influences to become more important than God s Word. Those with hearts like the good soil accepted God s Word, and it changed and transformed their hearts and minds. 2018 LifeWay Session 2: The Parable of the Sower 13
OVERVIEW SESSION FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: Mark 4:1-20 MEMORY VERSE: Mark 4:9 TEXT TRUTH: God s Word changes us. CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of Mark draws the reader into the life of Jesus. As Jesus performed miracles and taught His followers, we see that Jesus was clearly the Son of God and Son of Man. Because of His unique nature, Jesus lived a sinless life before dying on the cross to rescue His people from sin. GET STARTED TOOLS (10 MINUTES) Bible Skills: paper plates, permanent marker, dot stickers, fidget spinners, Bibles BIBLE STUDY TOOLS (35 MINUTES) Jump In: opaque containers, tape, corn, rice, beans, seeds, Lithograph of the Sower (DVD-ROM) Examine the Text: Bibles; Text Truth Strips (Poster Pack); Optional: cake pan, soil, rocks, pebbles, seeds, thin broken sticks Play the Video: Explore the Bible on Location video Memory Verse: Mark 4:9 (Poster Pack) Prayer: Family Cards SMALL GROUP TOOLS (30 MINUTES) Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens Move: different types of beans or seeds, bowl Make: Bird (enhanced CD), heavyweight paper, different types of seeds or beans, liquid glue Explore: disposable cups, permanent marker, table tennis balls, scissors, broom, Bible Books (Books of the Bible Posters) Tip: Due to seasonal allergies, choose seed other than grass seed for today s activities. NOTE: Downloadable versions of DVD items are available in the Digital Video Bundle. Downloadable versions of enhanced CD items are available in the Music and Print Extras Bundle. For free online training on how to lead a group, visit ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible. 14 Explore the Bible: Younger Kids 2018 LifeWay
BIBLE STORY THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER Mark 4:1-20 One day Jesus got into a boat and sat down. The large crowd stood on the shore to listen to Him teach. Jesus began to teach the people a parable. A man went to his field to sow some seed. Some of the seeds landed on the path and the birds ate the seed. Some of the seed landed on rocky soil that wasn t very deep. The seed quickly grew, but it did not have a good root. When the sun came out, the plant wilted. Other seed landed among the thorns and the thorns choked the seeds. Yet, some of the seed landed in the good soil. The seed grew and produced a very good crop with lots of fruit. Jesus disciples were confused and asked Jesus, Why do you tell the people parables? Jesus explained that some of the people did not have hearts that really wanted to hear and understand about the kingdom of God. These people would not understand the parables. But others had hearts that were very willing to learn and eager to hear about the kingdom of God. These people would understand the truths the parables taught. Then Jesus explained that when someone hears the Word of God and doesn t understand it because Satan comes and takes it away from them, he is like the seed that landed on the path. The person who hears God s Word, rejoices in it, but doesn t develop a good root is like the seed on the rocky soil. When he is faced with persecution or pressure, he does not have the strength to stand strong. The person who hears the Word of God but is distracted by the worries of the world and wealth is like the seed that landed in the thorns. The seed is choked out. The seed that landed in good soil and grows is like the person who hears God s Word and understands it. He grows and produces much fruit. KEY POINTS Jesus told parables to help people understand what He was teaching them about the kingdom of God. When we receive God s Word, it changes us to be more like Jesus. TEXT CONNECTION Jesus was a master teacher. The title teacher was one of the names Jesus was most often called by those with whom He was closest. Parables were a common technique Jesus used. Parables are short stories that teach a truth about God s kingdom. The truth Jesus taught through the parable of the sower was that God s Word transforms hearts and minds. Jesus disciples did not understand the parable, so Jesus revealed the purpose of His parable to the disciples and empowered them to understand a mystery of the kingdom. Just as Jesus did, God reveals His purpose to those He chooses. In Genesis 28, Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau, stopped to rest. While Jacob slept, God revealed His plan for Jacob. God s revealed plan gave Jacob the confidence to know that God was with Jacob and would guide Jacob to fulfill God s purpose for him. God s words transformed Jacob s heart and mind. EXPLORE THE BIBLE AT HOME See the enhanced CD for additional family resources. 2018 LifeWay Session 2: The Parable of the Sower 15
GET STARTED TOOLS: Bible Skills: paper plates, permanent marker, dot stickers, fidget spinners, Bibles PREPARATION: Take the paper plate and divide the plate into 6 sections. Write a different book of the Bible in each section. Consider one Testament for younger children. Place a sticker on one of the circles of the fidget spinner. Consider making a plate for every three to four kids if you have enough spinners. GET STARTED (10 MINUTES) BIBLE SKILLS Form groups of three to four kids. Give each group a plate and a spinner. Guide a child to place the spinner in the middle of the plate and place his pointer finger on the center. Help the child spin the spinner with his other hand. When the spinner stops, the child should find that book in the Bible. Change it up for older children: write different divisions of the Bible in the sections of the plate. Children should name a book from the division that the sticker end of the spinner landed on. Dismiss to Bible Study. OPTION: If you cannot find fidget spinners, allow kids to toss a small coin onto the plate to determine what book to find. BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT Locates the two main parts of the Bible the Old Testament and the New Testament and identifies some books in each part. Reads and locates Bible references. Understands and applies truths from a Bible verse. 16 Explore the Bible: Younger Kids 2018 LifeWay
BIBLE STUDY BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) JUMP IN Lay the prepared containers out and allow children to shake the different containers. After all the children have had the chance to shake the containers, take each container and shake them one at a time. Ask the group what they believe is in each container. Allow a few children to guess. Open the containers and show the children what is in the container. Invite kids to guess what today s Bible story could be. Display the Lithograph of the Sower. Ask: What is happening in this picture? What do you think this farmer hopes will happen to all of the seed that he is sowing? What other factors will play a part in how well the seed grows? (Light, thorns, health of soil, water) Today we are studying one of Jesus most well-known teachings and it is about a farmer who did exactly what this guy is doing. Say: Who can remember what book of the Bible we are studying? That s right, we are studying the Book of Mark. Today in our story, Jesus talks about a farmer who planted some seeds, but the story wasn t just about seeds. Hidden in the story was something Jesus wanted to teach the people. We call this a parable. Let s see if we can discover what Jesus wanted the people to learn from our Bible story. EXAMINE THE TEXT If you made a soil model, allow children to explore and touch the different soil sections. As children look at the model, tell the Bible story in your own words. A Bible story page has been provided for you to use as a guide. Ask a volunteer to read Mark 4:3-7. Where do the seeds fall in these verses? (They fall on the ground, in rocks, and in thorns.) Say: Jesus tells us that people s faith can be like these seeds. Some seeds are not deep in the soil. When something bad happens, people turn away from God. But what happens if the seeds are planted in good soil? Ask a volunteer to read Mark 4:8. Continue: When seeds are planted in good soil, the crop produces lots of plants. Jesus said the same can be said for someone who hears God s Word and receives it. These people hear God s Word and they want to live life the way God tells us we should live. Our Text Truth tells us that God s Word changes us. What are some ways that we can make sure we are like the good soil? Finish: Those are all great suggestions. We should want to come to church to be around other people who believe in Jesus. We should also want to serve others. Our actions can show others God s love. We can learn to read our Bibles every day. We can talk to God often. All of these things will help us to live our lives the way God wants us to live. When we do these things, God s Word changes us! TOOLS: Jump In: opaque containers, tape, corn, rice, beans, seeds, Lithograph of the Sower (DVD-ROM) Examine the Text: Bibles; Text Truth Strips (Poster Pack); Optional: cake pan, soil, rocks, pebbles, seeds, thin broken sticks Play the Video: Explore the Bible on Location video Memory Verse: Mark 4:9 (Poster Pack) Prayer: Family Cards PREPARATION: Jump In: Place different items in opaque containers. Consider using corn, rice, beans, or other seeds. Tape the containers closed. Examine the Text: Consider making a model of the four different types of soil for the children to look at and to touch. Take a large cake pan and divide it into four different sections. Make an example of the four different types of soil with the suggested supplies. DEFINITION: Parable: A story Jesus told to help people understand the kingdom of God. 2018 LifeWay Session 2: The Parable of the Sower 17
BIBLE STUDY PLAY THE VIDEO Play the Session 2 video. Ask: What type of plants did Kaileigh learn about? What did she learn about them? If you could grow anything, what would you grow? How can you come willing to receive God s Word? MEMORY VERSE Display Mark 4:9. Read the verse for your boys and girls. Repeat the verse in short segments for your group and help them repeat it back to you. Lead children to sit in a circle. Instruct the group that you will say the verse to a friend by cupping your hands around your mouth and whispering into his ear. He will then share the verse with another friend, continue around the circle until all friends have shared the verse. At the end, allow the last friend to say the verse out loud. Encourage children to look to the poster for help. Be available to assist younger learners if they need help. PRAYER Distribute a Family Card to each boy and girl. Say: Our object this week is a lithograph. When we see the picture, it can remind us that we want good soil that God s Word can grow in. We want to hear God s Word and to obey it every day. We want to serve others. We want to love others. We want to read our Bible. We want to talk with God every day. Take your card home this week and share with your family about the seeds planted in the soil. There are activities on the card that you can do as a family. I want to challenge you to read your Bible every day. If you can t read yet, ask your mom and dad if they will read to you from the Book of Mark. I also want you to pray every day. Tell God what makes you happy, what makes you sad, and things that you need. All of these are great ways that God s Word changes us! Close in prayer. Dismiss to Small Group. 18 Explore the Bible: Younger Kids 2018 LifeWay
SMALL GROUP SMALL GROUP (30 MINUTES) EXPLORER GUIDES Distribute Explorer Guides and help girls and boys locate today s pages, The Parable of the Sower. Choose a volunteer to read What Is a Parable? Direct kids attention to today s object, The Sower. Ask a volunteer to read aloud the information. Help boys and girls recall today s Bible story as they complete, Parable Word Search. Read the Spotlight on Mark. Lead kids to think about today s Text Truth and Bible story as they examine the soils and Color them. TOOLS: Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL) Prior to Bible study, download the Explore the Bible: Kids Family App. Use the activity labeled Explorer Plus on the app. ACTIVITIES Select one or more of the activities to complete as time allows. MOVE SCATTER Tools: different types of beans or seeds, bowl Take the beans and scatter them around the room. Place a bowl in the center of the room. Instruct children that when you say, Go, they should race to pick up all the beans off the floor and place them back in the bowl. Consider using two types of beans and forming two groups. Lead the groups to race to pick up their team s beans first. Say: Today, Jesus told the people a parable. Remember, a parable is a story that has an important message in it. Jesus told a story about seeds scattered and planted in different types of soil. Some of the seeds would make plants, but the plants were not planted deep enough to produce grain or fruits or vegetables. Only the seeds planted deep in good soil can produce crops. The same can be said about God s Word. If we hear God s Word, but we don t do what it says, we miss out on good things God has planned for us. We have to hear God s Word, believe it, and do what it says. We can do that by reading the Bible, praying, and loving and serving others. These things show that God s Word changes us! 2018 LifeWay Session 2: The Parable of the Sower 19
SMALL GROUP MAKE EXPLORE SEED MOSAIC Tools: Bird (enhanced CD), heavyweight paper, different types of seeds or beans, liquid glue Copy the bird template on heavyweight paper. Give each table a variety of beans or seeds. Allow children to fill in the bird with the seeds. Encourage your kids to glue the seeds close together to help give it a mosaic look. Say: Remember in our Bible story, the seeds that fell on the ground were eaten up by birds. They were not planted deep in the soil, so they couldn t make a plant or produce a crop. The same can be said for God s Word. If we hear God s Word, but do not do what it says, we can t grow in our relationship with God. God s Word changes us if we do what it tells us to do. We can read our Bible, pray, and love and serve others. All of these things show others how God s Word changes us. Let s try and do some of these things this week. BOOK BALL Tools: disposable cups, permanent marker, table tennis balls, scissors, broom, Bible Books (Books of the Bible Posters) Cut the disposable cup in two, long halves. Write Old Testament on one half cup and New Testament on the other half. Write a variety of books of the Bible on the table tennis balls. Display the Bible Books poster on a focal wall. Help children take turns sweeping the balls into the correct Testament cup. Review the Text Truth: God s Word changes us. Say: We want God s Word to change us. When we learn the books of the Bible, it helps us find verses easier. Sometimes bad things can happen, and we can go to God s Word for help. When we know where to find the books, we can find what God has to say about our worries or problems. 20 Explore the Bible: Younger Kids 2018 LifeWay