Note to the parent or teacher: Here is a 45- to 60-minute lesson plan to supplement “The Parables of Jesus: The Good Seeds and the Weeds.” It goes with the lesson objectives, “Study more of the parables that Jesus taught and their meaning” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Jesus, God’s Son-2b); and “Learn about bullying and what steps one can take when one encounters a bully” (Character Building: Social Skills: Resolving Conflicts-2j).

Read “The Parables of Jesus: The Good Seeds and the Weeds." (You can also read this parable in Matthew 13:24–30.)

Examine the farmer’s instructions, “Don’t pull the weeds yet because you might pull out some of the wheat with the weeds.” If the children have helped with gardening or even with houseplants, they might have experienced how pulling up one plant disturbs the roots of a plant that is close to it, and might even uproot the nearby plant. You could consider demonstrating this if you have a garden.

Explain how once the wheat was fully grown and ready to harvest, it no longer mattered if the roots were disturbed because it was no longer growing, making that the best time to pull out the weeds.

Read Matthew 13:36–43 where Jesus teaches the meaning of the parable.

Discuss how we can apply this to our everyday life. Our job is to encourage the growth of good seed in this world through doing deeds of kindness, and teaching and showing how Jesus taught us to live.

Read “Change Your Part of the World.”

Discuss what to do when we see an injustice or wrongdoing. Sometimes it’s important to speak out against the wrongdoing, but no matter what, we must also pray and trust it into God’s hands to take care of in the way and at the time He knows is best.

Listen to or read “Ephesians 6:10-18.” As is brought out in this passage, the fight is not against people, but it’s against the “rulers of darkness of this world,” the influences we are exposed to that weaken our faith in God or pull us away from building a strong relationship with God. And the way to fight is to take on the whole armor of God through learning more about Jesus and His ways, living in the ways He has taught us to, and showing His light of love in the midst of darkness. Then we can leave it in God’s hands to overcome the darkness and perpetrators of darkness, knowing that He knows the best ways, and He cannot and will not fail.

Look at how Jesus reacted to wrongdoing. The Gospel accounts show us that He was continuously helping others through His teachings and His deeds of love, though, when necessary, He also spoke up against the Scribes and Pharisees who made life difficult for others (Matthew 23:13–36). At the end of His life, His greatest deed of overcoming the darkness took place when He was resurrected back to full life in an indestructible body after His enemies had Him killed. Before He died, Jesus even forgave those who had Him crucified.

Read Matthew 5:44–48. Talk about how everyone, even a Pharisee or a bully, needs the light of God’s love in their life.

Discuss ways in which we might wrongfully try to take on the problem of overcoming the weeds or wrongdoings of others on our own, such as acting out our anger against someone who is belittling or bullying us or another person. It’s understandable to be angry about injustice, but often the best way to handle such a situation is to speak up about what is right and then also report (to those in positions of responsibility, such as teachers, parents, etc.) about the incidents.

Also, it’s helpful to remind ourselves that even the perpetrator of wrongdoing is a person God loves and wants to help. Though we should not condone but speak up against the wrongdoing, we are also meant to show God’s love to the person who is in the wrong as well.

In relationship to this parable of the good seeds and the weeds, we must give God the opportunity to work. We don’t want to hurt others through trying to pull out the weeds on our own and too soon. 

Read “Jury and Judge for a Day.” Bring out how we’re not to judge, but to leave it to God to judge in His way and time.

Review “Crazily Cool Cards Set: Forgiveness.”