Parable of the Soils

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who planted seeds in four different types of soil. Only one of the soils produced a good crop. Jesus explained that the soils represented people’s hearts. When the word of God is planted in a good heart, good things will be produced in that person's life.<br/><br/>Bible verses used in this episode:Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 <br/><br/>Outline:Jesus tells the parable of the farmer and seeds (Matthew 13:1-9)Jesus explains why he uses parables (Matthew 13:10-17)Jesus explains the meaning of the parable of the farmer and seeds (Matthew 13:18-23)<br/>Tips for teaching:Children can make any craft involving seeds.Serve a slice of multi-grain bread to children and encourage them to find the grains or seeds in the bread.Draw an outline of a heart and glue seeds inside.  Write the scripture reference Matthew 13:23 on the paper.Adults or children can plant seeds. Try recreating the types of soil in the parable to fill four different pots.  Plant a seed in each and follow the progress over the next weeks.Adults should reflect on how their lives reflect God’s word growing in their lives.  How is God producing a harvest in me?<br/>Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:Bible Lesson:  Parable of a Sower and Seeds Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.<br/><br/>Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.<br/><br/>For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org<br/><br/>