DCLM CHILDREN STS LESSON 24 PARABLES OF THE SEEDS
TEXT: Mark 4:1-41
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He was going about doing good and teaching the people about God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is the perfect, holy place that Jesus has prepared for all His friends. To be qualified to enter this kingdom, there are certain preparation every child must make. This is the reason Jesus was always employing the use of parables to explain the nature of the kingdom and necessary preparation needed to be qualified to enter it. A parable is a simple story from everyday life experience that reveals truth about the kingdom of God to those whose hearts are prepared to hear and hide this truth from those whose hearts are unprepared.
A parable begins simply as a picture that arrests our attention and arouses our interest. But as we study the picture, it becomes a mirror in which we suddenly see ourselves. If we continue to look by faith, the mirror becomes a window through which we see God and His truth. How we respond to the truth will determine what further truth God will teach us. In this study, we shall examine the various parables of Jesus and their importance in our lives.
PRESENTATION OF THE PARABLES:
Mark 4:1-34; Matthew 13:1-23,31,32; Luke 8:4-15; 13:18-21.
Our Bible passage presents different parables illustrating different aspects of God’s kingdom. These parables reveal the link between the time the initial sowing of the seeds of God’s word at the time of Jesus’ ministry’ through the church age harvest of souls to the end of the world when Christ will establish His millennial reign. It is like a summary of the mission of Christ on earth and purpose of God for all mankind.
- The sower and the seed – Mark 4:1-20; Matthew 13:1-15,18-23; Luke 8:4-15
The sower is liken to the preacher of God’s word. He goes out to sow the seed which is the gospel truth. While he sows, the seed falls into different categories of ground (hearts of boys and girls). It is the type of soil or ground that will determine whether the seed will grow well and bring expected fruit or not. There will be different reactions to the gospel by the people of the world. Some children who hear will not understand (Mark 4:15), others will believe for a while but later fall away (Mark 4:16-19). Some others will believe, become saved, receive grace to persevere and bear fruit in different measures. The enemies of God’s word are Satan, riches, worldly attractions and pleasures. What is the condition of you heart? Is it one that is like stone or filled with thorns, or is it like the wayside where the word, of God that you hear is being eaten up by carelessness-s; bad company and: I-do-not-care’ attitude? You need to repent now and ‘ask Jesus for forgiveness and. cleansing of your heart.
(ii) The candle on the candle stick – Mark 4:21-25.
This parable encourages children who have repented to shine forth the light of God everywhere they go. Then they can attract sinful children to the Saviour.
(iii) The growing seed – Mark 4:26-29
The parable reveals the mystery of how, a plain grows. The farmer plants and do all that is necessary for the seed to germinate. But how it grows to maturity is not what anyone can explain. God alone is the one that knows the secret. This means the word of God in the heart of naan is made to grow and bear fruit through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The great Apostle Paul explains this mystery-‘when the said “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Friends of Jesus who daily read, meditate on God’s word, – obey all item instructions, attend fellowship regularly and share the love of Jesus will-hers will surely grow to become mature believers. They will also bear much fruit in the kingdom.
(iv) The mustard seed — Mark 4:30-34; Matthew 13:31,32; Luke 13:18,19.
This is a very tiny seed sown by farmers &specially in Israel. Yet in a very short time, it grows to be a very big plant. This parable shows the power of the gospel of God’s kingdom. It started in a very small way with few people. Yet it has grown over the centuries and spread to all the nations of the world. Many who believed the word of God are in heaven already and many will still join them till Jesus comes to reign on earth. Are you part of this great and everlasting kingdom? Jesus is the door to God’s kingdom. Surrender your life unto Him.
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PURPOSE OF THE PARABLES:
Mark 4:10-12; Matthew 13:10-17; Luke 8:9, 10.
Through these parables, Jesus was speaking to the unbelievers (sinners) as well as His disciples (believers). The reasons for these parables therefore are to
(i) Reveal the plan of God for the salvation of sinners.
(ii) Show sinners the way to receive salvation.
(iii) Encourage believers to strive for things that are profitable for their spiritual growth and maturity. (iv) Reveal the truth to all so that no one will have excuse before God on the final day.
(v) Help true friends of Jesus to identify what is right and what is wrong.
(vi) Teach believers how to overcome the influence and opposition of Satan and his agents. We are called to serve God through wholehearted devotion to Christ and living a righteous and holy life every day.
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PREPARATION FOR THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM:
Mark 4:9,30-34; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 2:7
All that Jesus taught and did was to draw sinners to Himself, keep and make them fit for heaven. Every child must therefore take heed to God’s word, overcome all evil influences and be ready for heaven. The secret of victory lies in:
(i)Keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
(ii) Separating from the things of the world that can choke the word in our hearts (1 John 2:15-17).
(iii) Abiding and growing in God’s word (1 Peter 2:2).
(iv) Looking forward to Christ’s return (Luke 12:35-40).
(v) Our willingness to suffer for Christ’s sake (1 Peter 4:1,2).
(vi) Resisting and running away from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
(vii) Standing always for the truth (Jude 3).
(viii) Putting on the whole amour of God (Ephesians 6:11-18).
QUESTIONS:
- What is a parable?
- Give a brief explanation of the different parables in our study.
- What are the reasons for the parables of the seeds?
- How can boys and girls get the full blessings from God’s word?
- What should a i) Sinner (ii) Friend of Jesus do to prepare for God’s kingdom?
MEMORY VERSE: “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples” (Mark- 4:33,34).
LESSON: Only those who hear and obey the word of God will inherit the kingdom of God.
THOUGHT: I will always obey God’s word so as to inherit the kingdom of God.
ACTIVITY: Search the Scriptures and learn more about other parables of Jesus.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 84 – DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OP JESUS CHORUSES:
(1) Thy word is light; the word is Spirit.
(2) The B. I. B. L. E. is good enough for me.
(3) I am ready to obey Thy word.
HOMEWORK: Children should write in their homework books, consequences of not obeying the word of God as seen in the parable.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH.
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Ministry 2. Arouses 3. Parable 4. Millennial 5. Maturity
