The Mustard Seed

Scripture

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” (Matt. 13:31–32)

Opening Questions:

Name some things that start out small, but grow big. ( a seed, a baby, an egg, a puppy, etc)
Lay a small piece of wet sponge in the middle of a paper towel. The sponge seems small, but it will wet the whole paper towel.

Lesson

Remember when Jesus was alive there was no phone, no internet, no TV. Jesus spoke to groups of people who were near where he lived. Then those people would speak to other groups of people they knew. Some might travel (by boat, no planes or cars) to other areas and tell people about the kingdom of God. You can illustrate how this might happen with a globe or map. What did Jesus mean when he said ‘the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed?’ ( it starts out very small, but grows very large)

What is a kingdom? (its where the king rules) Who is the ruler of God’s kingdom? (God) If you want to be in God’s kingdom, do you have to move anywhere? (No, it has grown all over the world. It is wherever people believe in God)

The Kingdom of God started small with Jesus talking to the people around him. Then his friends told their friends, and their friends told others. Now, the Kingdom of God has spread all over the world. Can you be a mustard seed at school? In your neighborhood? What are some small ways you can grow God’s kingdom? (speak kindly, visit sick, send a card, share your toys, help others.)

Activity

Remember to water your plant and get it ready for judging on August 13th!!

And pick out your dazzling wardrobe for the red carpet at the 1st Annual Clarksville Highway Academy Awards.