Lesson 2: The growing seed.
Passage: Mark 4:26-29 - Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is like a man scattering seeds on the ground, and every night and day, the seed sprouts all on it’s own though the man doesn’t know how. Eventually, the crops are fully grown and it’s time for the harvest.
Big Idea: God’s kingdom is always growing.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome Activity: — All Leaders
Have one leader greet the children with the iPad roster outside the classroom door. Check-in the children in your classroom as they arrive.
Have another leader invite the children in to sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Introduce yourselves, and use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
Leader: “Good morning friends! It’s so nice to see you! We are glad you are here today. We are going to play a little game to get started today.
Warm Up Activity: Follow the Leader Dance - Select from activity playlist on Youtube.
Leader: Good following friends!
Today we are talking about another one of Jesus’ parables, which are the stories that he told his followers to teach them something about God and the kingdom.
Today's story is about planting seeds. Have you ever tried planting seeds before? What kind of things can seeds grow into?
Now, We are going to watch a video about today’s story. Can you find a seat where you can see the TV? Can you give a thumbs up when you are ready?
Play Video: ‘Secret Library: Lesson 2 The growing seed.’ from lesson playlist.
Follow Up Discussion:
Leader: Good Listening friends! I have a couple questions for you about the story:
What does Jesus say about the way that the seed grows?
What are some ways a farmer helps a plant grow?
Leader: Alright friends I think we should get up and move around a bit before our craft can everybody stand up?
Body Break Activity: — Sing & Dance
Play ‘Toddler Worship Thank-you’ from Worship Playlist.
After the song finishes head to the craft tables for the activity.
Activity: Sprouting Seedling Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will decorate their paper plates and make little popsicle stick “plants” that will grow through the plate.
There will be cut leaves for them to glue onto the popsicle sticks and pre-cut slots in the paper plates.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check parents pick up stickers to see that they match with the code listed on the iPad.
-
Welcome Activity: — All Leaders
Have one leader greet the children with the iPad roster and Check-in the children as they arrive.
Have another leader invite the children in to have a seat. Introduce yourselves, and use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
Leader: “Good morning friends! It’s so nice to see you! We are glad you are here today. We are going to play a little game to get started today.
Warm Up Activity: Follow the Leader Dance - Select from activity playlist on Youtube. (Alternatively leaders can move around the room in a circle and the children can follow the prompts)
Leader: Good following friends!
Let’s have a seat now as we talk about our story. If you would like a fidget to help you focus our leaders will pass around a basket.
Today we are talking about another one of Jesus’ parables, which are the stories that he told his followers to teach them something about God and the kingdom.
Today's story is about planting seeds. Have you ever tried planting seeds before? What kind of things can seeds grow into?
Now, We are going to watch a video about today’s story. Can you find a seat where you can see the TV? Can you give a thumbs up when you are ready?
Play Video: ‘Secret Library: Lesson 2 The growing seed.’ from lesson playlist.
Follow Up Discussion:
Leader: Good Listening friends! I have a couple questions for you about the story:
What does Jesus say about the way that the seed grows?
What are some ways a farmer helps a plant grow?
What do you think that means for the kingdom of God to be like a growing plant?
Activity: Sprouting Seedling Craft
Have a leader collect the fidget’s before moving to the tables
Have a leader explain the craft using an example and demonstrate how it works.
Kids will decorate their paper plates and make little popsicle stick “plants” that will grow through the plate.
There will be cut leaves for them to glue onto the popsicle sticks and pre-cut slots in the paper plates.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check parents pick up stickers to see that they match with the code listed on the iPad.
-
Welcome — All Leaders
Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was.
Using the roster iPad manually check-in the kids who are in the classroom.
Use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
A basket of fidget toys will be available, pass around fidgets to help kids focus during the lesson.
Warm Up Activity: Bean plant Timelapse Video—
Find and play video from Lesson Plan activities
Kids can watch a seed growing time-lapse video on YouTube.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader:
Today we’re continuing our new series on the parables of Jesus.
Does anyone remember what a parable is?
Today we’ll be talking about another one of Jesus' parables. This time Jesus uses the metaphor of a seed to teach us something about the kingdom of God.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Play video: The Parable of the Growing Seed from Lesson Playlist
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was it that Jesus said about the way seeds grow?
What do you think that has to do with the kingdom of God?
Even though the kingdom grows on it’s own, God still invites us to participate in the work that God is doing in the world. What are some ways that we can be part of that work?
Collect fidgets before moving on to activity time.
Activity: Sprouting Seedling Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will decorate their paper plates and make little popsicle stick “plants” that will grow through the plate. There will be cut leaves for them to glue onto the popsicle sticks and pre-cut slots in the paper plates.
Additional activity pages will be available in the classroom.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check parents pick up stickers to see that they match with the code listed on the iPad.
-
Welcome Activity: — All Leaders
Have one leader greet the children with the iPad roster outside the classroom door. Check-in the children in your classroom as they arrive.
Have another leader invite the children in to sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Introduce yourselves, and use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
Leader: “Good morning friends! It’s so nice to see you! We are glad you are here today. We are going to play a little game to get started today.
Warm Up Activity: Follow the Leader Dance - Select from activity playlist on Youtube.
Leader: Alright friends I think we should get up and move around a bit before our craft can everybody stand up?
Body Break Activity: — Sing & Dance
Play ‘Toddler Worship Thank-you’ from Worship Playlist.
After the song finishes head to the craft tables for the activity.
Activity: Sprouting Seedling Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will decorate their paper plates and make little popsicle stick “plants” that will grow through the plate.
There will be cut leaves for them to glue onto the popsicle sticks and pre-cut slots in the paper plates.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check parents pick up stickers to see that they match with the code listed on the iPad.
-
Welcome Activity: — All Leaders
Have one leader greet the children with the iPad roster and Check-in the children as they arrive.
Have another leader invite the children in to have a seat. Introduce yourselves, and use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
Leader: “Good morning friends! It’s so nice to see you! We are glad you are here today. We are going to play a little game to get started today.
Warm Up Activity: Follow the Leader Dance - Select from activity playlist on Youtube. (Alternatively leaders can move around the room in a circle and the children can follow the prompts)
Leader: Good following friends!
Let’s have a seat now as we talk about our story. If you would like a fidget to help you focus our leaders will pass around a basket.
Today we are talking about another one of Jesus’ parables, which are the stories that he told his followers to teach them something about God and the kingdom.
Today's story is about planting seeds. Have you ever tried planting seeds before? What kind of things can seeds grow into?
Now, We are going to watch a video about today’s story. Can you find a seat where you can see the TV? Can you give a thumbs up when you are ready?
Play Video: ‘Secret Library: Lesson 2 The growing seed.’ from lesson playlist.
Follow Up Discussion:
Leader: Good Listening friends! I have a couple questions for you about the story:
What does Jesus say about the way that the seed grows?
What are some ways a farmer helps a plant grow?
What do you think that means for the kingdom of God to be like a growing plant?
Activity: Sprouting Seedling Craft
Have a leader collect the fidget’s before moving to the tables
Have a leader explain the craft using an example and demonstrate how it works.
Kids will decorate their paper plates and make little popsicle stick “plants” that will grow through the plate.
There will be cut leaves for them to glue onto the popsicle sticks and pre-cut slots in the paper plates.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check parents pick up stickers to see that they match with the code listed on the iPad.
-
Welcome — All Leaders
Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was.
Using the roster iPad manually check-in the kids who are in the classroom.
Use this time to get to know the names of the kids in your classroom.
A basket of fidget toys will be available, pass around fidgets to help kids focus during the lesson.
Warm Up Activity: Bean plant Timelapse Video—
Play video from Lesson Plan activities
Kids can watch a seed growing time-lapse video on YouTube.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader:
Today we’re continuing our new series on the parables of Jesus.
Does anyone remember what a parable is?
Today we’ll be talking about another one of Jesus' parables. This time Jesus uses the metaphor of a seed to teach us something about the kingdom of God.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Play video: The Parable of the Growing Seed from Lesson Playlist
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was it that Jesus said about the way seeds grow?
What do you think that has to do with the kingdom of God?
Even though the kingdom grows on it’s own, God still invites us to participate in the work that God is doing in the world. What are some ways that we can be part of that work?
Collect fidgets before moving on to activity time.
Activity: Sprouting Seedling Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will decorate their paper plates and make little popsicle stick “plants” that will grow through the plate. There will be cut leaves for them to glue onto the popsicle sticks and pre-cut slots in the paper plates.
Additional activity pages will be available in the classroom.
Dismissal: Dismiss children manually with Roster iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver. Check parents pick up stickers to see that they match with the code listed on the iPad.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
-
What was the story you learned about in class today?
Is it possible to see a plant grow? How do you think it happens?
Do you think the kingdom of God also grows in ways that we can’t see?
Who is it that makes the kingdom grow and spread?
What are some ways that we can also help spread God’s good kingdom in the world?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Do you think it’s possible to see a plant growing if you just sit there and watch it all day long? How do you think it happens?
Why do you think Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a growing seed? Does the kingdom also grow in ways we can’t always see?
Who is it that makes the kingdom of God grow?
What are some ways that we can also work with God to spread the goodness of God’s kingdom in the world?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why does Jesus compare the kingdom of God to a growing seed? What are some of the similarities in the way they each grow?
How does it feel to know that the kingdom is always growing even when we can’t see it happening?
Who do you think is ultimately responsible for the growth of God’s kingdom?
Do you think there are ways that God also let’s us be part of the work of spreading the kingdom in the world? Why do you think we are invited to work alongside God even if God doesn’t need us to?
