SUNDAY SCHOOL @ HOME – 8th Sunday after Pentecost/July 26, 2020

Bible Passage (for parents)
Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)

Jesus shares a parable with us.  A parable is a story that teaches us something.  This parable is about a mustard seed.  A mustard seed is very small, in fact it was one of the smallest seeds in the time when Jesus lived on earth, but it grew into a big bush.  Here’s what the bush looked like when full grown:

Let’s watch the story together.

Watch this video together:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifKH0-y7O_I

 

Read:

Jesus told this teaching story, or parable, about a mustard seed.  He said that the mustard seed is very small, but when it is planted, it becomes a big tree, so big that birds come and perch in its branches.  It can grow to be as big as 10 feet tall.  Did you see the picture above of how big it can get?  Jesus says that this is what the kingdom of God is like.  What do you think that means?  Could it be that some things seem small, but they have lots of power?  There are some things that seem small, but are actually big and powerful…things like love.  There are things that seem unimportant but are actually very important…like serving others and forgiving others and standing up for what is right. Jesus says that is what the kingdom of God is like.  It is like you and me and all those who love Jesus loving others, serving others, forgiving others, standing up for what is right.  Who knew something as small as a mustard seed could teach us something so important?  Jesus did!

 

Discuss

  • What is something that is small, but has lots of power?
  • What is something that may seem unimportant, but it very important?
  • What is something that starts out small, but gets very big?

 

Song

Brave Enough.  Written and sung by Amanda Cutcher Meisenheimer (special thanks to her and IllustratedMinistry for permission to use)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wv5pTbaTDE

Activity

Fill a measuring cup with water.  Discuss how there are 1000’s of drops of water in that cup.  Slowly put three drops of food coloring into the cup of water.  Watch as the drops disperse and the water changes color.  Discuss how those thousands of drops of water have been impacted by just 3.  In the same way, one word or one choice could have a powerful impact on the world around us.

Activity

On a piece of paper, paint and stamp, or trace your arm and hand to represent a tree trunk and branches.  Then paint and stamp, or trace some leaves onto the paper to show a tall tree with leaves. At the base of the tree draw a tiny circle to represent the mustard seed.  This tiny mustard seed can grow into a very large tree just like a small act of kindness can have a large impact on someone else.

 

Discuss

Jesus used the mustard seed, which starts out so small and grows to be so big, to help us learn that even just a little faith in a big God is a big deal.  Faith in God can help us accomplish amazing things we couldn’t do on our own.  As our song for today reminds us, with God’s help, we can be brave.  Brave enough to love, to forgive, to stand up for what is right.

 

Discuss:

  • Have you ever planted a garden or cared for a pet? What did you do to care for them?  What helped them grow healthy and strong?
  • What helps you trust God?
  • What helps you be brave?

 

Closing Prayer

Pray:  God, we thank you for your presence among us here and now.  We thank you for giving us the gift of faith through the Holy Spirit.  Help us to be brave enough, with your help, to love others, to forgive others, and to stand up for what is right.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  There will be a new one for each Sunday while we are unable to gather together physically in our congregational buildings.  Contact him at [email protected].