Lesson: Mark 4:20 (Ages 6-8)

📖 Mark 4:20 – Ages 6-8

Explanation

This Bible verse is like a story about planting seeds in a garden. Imagine that the word of God is like a tiny seed. When we hear the word and like it, it's like planting that seed in good soil.

When we plant seeds in good soil, they grow into beautiful plants that give us lots of yummy fruits or colorful flowers. In the same way, when we welcome the word of God into our hearts and minds, it helps us become better and kinder people. We start doing good things and being loving to others.

And just like how one small seed can grow into a big plant that gives us so much fruit, the word of God can help us do amazing things and make a big difference in the world. It's like a special superpower that God gives us to spread love, kindness, and joy to others.

So, when we hear God's word, welcome it into our hearts, and try to live by it, we can grow and do wonderful things, just like a tiny seed turning into a big, fruitful plant. God helps us grow and spread goodness everywhere we go, making the world a better place.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a curious squirrel named Sammy who loved exploring the forest. One day, Sammy found a tiny acorn and decided to plant it in the soft, fertile soil near a babbling brook.

Every day, Sammy watered the acorn and talked to it, telling it stories of the forest. The little acorn began to grow into a strong oak tree, providing shade and shelter for many forest creatures.

One sunny morning, as Sammy sat under the oak tree, he realized how much the tree had grown and how many animals it helped. Just like the seed that grew into a mighty oak, when we welcome God's word into our hearts and share it with others, we can produce good fruits in our lives and help those around us, just like the oak tree helped Sammy and his forest friends.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for planting Your word in my heart like a seed. Help me to listen to Your word, welcome it, and grow in my love for You. May my life produce good fruit that brings glory to You, just like the seeds planted in good soil. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think it means to have a heart like "good ground" in this Bible verse?
2. How can we welcome God's word into our hearts and lives every day?
3. Can you think of ways we can show that we have good soil in our hearts by producing good fruit?
4. Why do you think it's important for us to share God's love and teachings with others?
5. How does the idea of producing fruit thirty, sixty, or a hundred times what was sown make you feel?

Life Application

This verse from Mark 4:20 is teaching us that when we hear God's word, accept it with joy, and live it out in our lives, we will bear good fruit in abundance.

So, for a child aged 6-8, this means that when they listen to what God teaches in the Bible, they should be happy to follow it and put it into practice. This could look like being kind to their siblings at home, helping a friend in need at school, or saying a prayer for someone who is sick.

By welcoming God's word into their hearts and living it out in their actions, children can show love, kindness, and compassion to those around them. Just like a seed planted in good soil grows into a strong, healthy plant that bears many fruits, children who embrace God's teachings will grow into loving, caring individuals who make a positive impact on the world around them.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity to help children understand Mark 4:20 could be to plant seeds in small pots or a garden. As they plant the seeds, explain how the seeds represent God's word being planted in our hearts. Discuss how just like seeds need good soil to grow, our hearts need to be like good soil to receive God's word. Encourage the children to care for their plants by watering them and providing sunlight, symbolizing how we should nurture our relationship with God through prayer and reading the Bible. As the plants grow and produce fruit, remind the children of the verse and how we can bear fruit by sharing God's love with others. This hands-on activity can help reinforce the message of Mark 4:20 in a memorable and engaging way for young children.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When God's word falls on good soil,
It grows and multiplies, a hundredfold!
Listen, welcome, bear good fruit,
In your heart, let God's love take root!

Songs or Videos

One great Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Mark 4:20 is "The Fruit of the Spirit" by Go Fish. This song teaches children about the fruits of the Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Another wonderful song is "This Little Light of Mine," which encourages children to let their light shine before others by living out God's word and producing good fruit just like the seeds in the parable. Both of these songs can help kids understand the importance of receiving God's word, welcoming it into their hearts, and bearing good fruit in their lives.

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