WELCOME TO WEEK 2

This week we are learning that God can take something small, like a mustard seed, and make it into something great, like a Mustard tree! We may be small but we are a part of God’s great Kingdom!

BIBLE STORY

Get a small glass of water and food coloring to complete this demonstration. This glass of water is clear but I have food coloring to change the color of this water to____ (say whatever color you have). Add just a few drops of the food coloring and give it time to settle through the water. Notice how I only used a few drops of food coloring and yet it changed the entire glass of water to this color. Today we will read a parable that Jesus shared on how something small can make a big impact.

Materials: glass of water, food coloring

Read or listen to the Bible story for the week Matthew 13:31-32

Jesus is telling a parable about what type of seed? (Mustard)

Is a mustard seed big or small? (Small)

What did Jesus say the Mustard seed was like? (The kingdom of Heaven)

What does a mustard seed grow into? (A very large Mustard Tree)

Why do you think Jesus told this story of a small seed? (To show that God can use something very small and turn it into something very big)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

God can use something small and turn it into something large for his kingdom. We sometimes think that we are too small to do anything big for God or His kingdom, but Jesus’ parable shows we can start with something small and He can turn it to something great! When we share God’s love with others and they love him too, God’s kingdom becomes greater as more and more people are added. Choose to complete one or more of the following activities.

Activity

1. Using Large plastic Lego blocks and a dry erase marker, or removable labels, have your child place one block on the floor that has their name on it. Have them describe if this “tower” is large or small right now. Take another block and write someone else’s name on the block that your child suggest of someone they love and want to see in Heaven. Add that block to the tower. Continue to do this until your tower is a reasonable height. Say, Our tower started as just one block which didn’t seem like a great tower, but what started small grew into a large tower because of the people you named. God’s Kingdom is like that, it grows bigger because we tell others about Jesus and they love him too!

Materials: large plastic lego blocks, dry erase marker (or removable labels)

Alternative:

Watch this video on a book about the Mustard Seed: Mustard Seed Video

Say, The mustard seed started small and grew into a very large tree with large branches. God said the Kingdom of God is like the mustard seed in that it starts small, like you or me, but as we tell others about Jesus’ love it grows larger and greater just like the mustard tree!

Materials: mustard seed video

CREATE:

Using green play dough have children make small and large trees. They can explore using play dough and manipulating it to form a large trunk, branches and leaves. Discuss parts of a tree as the child tries to make them.

Materials: green play dough

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Make a large Oak Tree using this template as a base. Use green felt to cut out large leaves for the tree. Use white or colorful felt to cut small birds to glue onto the branches of the tree. If you do not have felt use white paper and color it accordingly, or colored construction paper. See here for example.

Materials: oak tree template, green felt, white felt Alternative: white paper

CRAFT 2

Use the Mustard Seed template tree to color and add cut-out leaves to. On each leaf write the name of someone you can share Jesus with to grow the kingdom of God.

Materials: coloring page printout, crayons

CRaft 3

Coloring page.

Materials: Printed coloring page, Crayons

FOLLOW-UP

Look at a plant from inside your house or one growing outside. Observe the plant with your child and discuss. Here are a few questions you could ask.

Name parts of this plant.

What are some parts of the plant you can not see?

What type of soil do you need to produce a good plant?

How tall is this plant?

What are some small things you have to do for this plant everyday for it to continue to grow? (make sure it has enough water, sunlight, food, and space)

How is this plant growing like you are growing each day? (Each day it grows a little even though you may not be able to see it)

How is this plant like the Kingdom of God? (it started out small as a seed and has grown much greater, just like God’s Kingdom grows with each person I share God’s love.)

Practical Application at Home

Look at this picture of a mustard seed and mustard tree. Let’s think of some things that we consider small tasks that can have a great reward.

Carrying a neighbors trash cans up their driveway……….. shows your neighbor you love them

Eating lunch with a new kid in class……………… shows someone they are accepted.

Obeying your parents and teachers………….Shows them you follow God’s commands

Helping a younger sibling with a small task…………………..show them kindness

Think of a few more things you can do that have a big impact on the people around you.

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Participation in a food pantry or serving food