Note to the parent or teacher: Here is a 45- to 60-minute lesson plan to fill out the post “The Parables of Jesus: The Mustard Seed.” (It can also be broken into two smaller sessions.) This 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 “Be able to identify steps to strengthen and increase one’s faith” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Faith-2c).
Read the first paragraph of “The Parables of Jesus: The Mustard Seed.” (You can also read this parable in Matthew 13:31–32.)
Explain to the children how though the mustard seed isn’t the smallest seed in the world, it is one of the smaller seeds to be sown in a garden. The type of mustard commonly grown in Israel during Jesus’ day could grow to be two or more meters (yards) tall. Jesus wasn’t making a scientific statement, He was using this commonly known seed and plant to express points about the kingdom of heaven and about faith. Faith—even a small amount of sincere faith—can bring about great things.
Read “Power-Up Devotional #8: Spirit Fruit: Kindness.”
Discuss with the children how the mustard seed in this parable represents our deeds of kindness and compassion shown towards others.
Read “Kindness Pays Forward.”
Read or listen to “Madeleine’s Misdemeanor.”
Listen to “The Smallest Seed—The Parable of the Mustard Seed.”
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Read the second paragraph of “The Parables of Jesus: The Mustard Seed.” (You can also read this lesson on faith in Luke 17:5–6.)
Listen to “Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed.”
Listen to “Audio: According to Your Faith.”
Read “The Fuel of Faith.”
Read “The God Factor.”
Read “Adventures in Hebrews 11” Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Ask the children what a mustard seed would need to grow. Answers would be: soil, water, and sunshine.
Discuss how faith can grow as we exercise it by taking needs and situations to Jesus for His help and solutions; it grows much as the mustard plant from its tiny seed as long as it is planted in the good soil of a warm, compassionate heart, watered by God’s Word and testimonies of faith, and shined upon by thankfulness and praise to God for the answers.
Talk together about answers to prayer, both big and small, that you and your children have experienced. God blesses our actions of faith even when we feel our faith is small and inadequate. Faith grows when it is put into action.
Review “Crazily Cool Card Set: Faith.”
Additional material:
Compiled by My Wonder Studio staff.
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