Note to the parent or teacher: Here is a 30- to 45-minute lesson plan to fill out the post “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower.” It goes with the lesson objective, “Study more of the parables that Jesus taught and their meaning.” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Jesus, God’s Son-2b).

Read “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower.” (You can also read it here.)

Read Matthew 13:18–23 or Mark 4:13–20 for what Jesus explains about this parable. 

Watch “Video: The Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Sower,” which applies the parable to telling others about Jesus.

Ask your children to apply the parable in their personal life and to consider what steps can be taken to ensure the seed of Jesus’ teachings is falling on good ground. At this point, let them explore this subject further in discussion if they like.

Apply each point that Jesus makes when He explains what the parable means. Follow along with Matthew 13:18–23 or Mark 4:13–20.

• Matthew 13:19 / Mark 4:15 (wayside):

An example of Jesus’ teachings falling by the wayside in our lives could be when we are preoccupied with other things and don’t want to give time to learning about Jesus’ ways and how to put His ways into action in our own lives.

• Matthew 13:20–21 /Mark 4:16–17 (stony ground):

An example of Jesus’ teachings falling on stony ground in our lives could be when we learn about certain of Jesus’ ways, understand how to apply them in our own lives, but for selfish or greedy reasons decide we’d rather not.

Another example of stony ground in one’s own life could be when we hold on to a resentment we have against another rather than forgiving them. In such a case, resentment makes our hearts hard and blocks the ability to show compassion as Jesus has taught us to do.

• Matthew 13:22 / Mark 4:18–19 (thorns):

An example of Jesus’ teachings falling among thorns could be when we like what Jesus shows and teaches us to do, but we’re so involved in other pursuits that we fail to make an effort to live in Jesus’ ways.

Read “A Bible Adventure: Salvation for a Swindler.”

• Matthew 13:23 / Mark 4:20 (good ground):

Examples of Jesus’ teachings falling on good ground would be the people we know who are humbly living lives of lovingly caring for, lifting up, and helping others. When looking at their lives, we can see the ripple effect of their caring deeds bearing more fruit.

Reflect on the above points, giving your child the opportunity to apply them in her or his life. A helpful exercise could be to write out each type of ground in a notebook, followed by a thought the child has of how to apply this in her or his life (e.g., wayside, stony ground, thorns, and good ground).

Read “‘Me First’ Values or Heavenly Values? Part 1” and “‘Me First’ Values or Heavenly Values? Part 2”

Review the verses in “Crazily Cool Card Set: God’s Word,” and “Crazily Cool Card Set: God’s Word, 2.”

Additional material:

• “Level 1 Lesson Plan: Treasure God’s Word—The Parable of the Sower”