2026-03-14 Jesus Proclaims His Good News to Sinners
Introduction
In this lesson, children will learn that Jesus is the greatest teacher of all. He didn't use big, complicated words that only scholars could understand. Instead, He used simple stories called parables, along with everyday pictures and actions, to teach people about God. Through the Parable of the Sower, children will discover that not everyone responds to Jesus' teaching the same way. Jesus' true friends are those who listen, believe, and obey His words.
Main Ideas:
- Teacher: Jesus reveals the truth about God through words, pictures, and actions that everyone can understand.
- Understanding: Jesus gives understanding to simple sinners, not just smart or important people.
- Response: Jesus' true friends (disciples) are those who respond in faith demonstrated through obedience.
Praise and Worship (15 mins)
Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.
Prayer and Offering (5 mins)
Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.
What is Offering?
Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.
Why Do We Make an Offering?
To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!
Prayer for Offering
Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Review Verse from Last Week
Luke 4:18a
"[Jesus said,] 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.'"
Bible Story (10 min)
Introduction (2 min)
Props Needed:
- A small clay or plastic pot
- A small bag of potting soil
- A package of bean seeds
- A few rocks
- Sticks or twigs (to represent weeds/thorns)
- A small artificial or real plant in a pot
(Keep all the items hidden in a bag or behind your back. Don't show them yet.)
Teacher: "I brought some special items to class today, and I'm going to teach you something. Are you ready? Listen carefully..."
Teacher: (speaking in a very fancy, complicated voice) "Today I am going to demonstrate how to deposit organic medium into an earthen receptacle in order to establish a botanical specimen."
(Pause and look at the children's confused faces.)
Teacher: "Did anyone understand what I just said?"
(Let children respond. They will likely say no!)
Teacher: "Those words were too big and confusing, weren't they? Let me try again. What if I show you what I'm talking about?"
(Pull out the pot, soil, and seeds.)
Teacher: "Now can you guess? I'm going to... put dirt in a pot and plant some seeds! That's much easier to understand, right?"
Interaction (Age 4-6): "If you were going to teach a little kid something, would you use really big, hard words, or small, simple words? Show me a thumbs up for simple words!"
Teacher: "Good teachers use words you can understand, things you can see, and actions you can watch. And guess what? Jesus is the BEST teacher of all. He didn't use big, fancy words that only really smart people could understand. He used simple stories and everyday things so that everyone, even children, could learn about God!"
Story Telling: The Parable of the Sower (10 min)
Props / Visuals Suggested:
- Clay or plastic pot with soil
- Bean seeds
- Rocks
- Sticks/twigs (weeds)
- Small plant in a pot
Part 1: Jesus the Teacher (2 mins)
Teacher: "Last week we learned that Jesus stood up in the synagogue and made the biggest announcement ever. He told everyone: 'I am the one God sent to save you!' After that, Jesus didn't just sit back and wait. He started traveling from town to town, teaching people about God."
Teacher: "And here's something amazing about Jesus as a teacher: He is God, so He is the smartest person who has ever lived. He knows EVERYTHING. But did He use big, fancy, hard-to-understand words when He taught people?"
(Let children respond.)
Teacher: "No! Because Jesus didn't come to save only really smart people. Jesus came to save ALL sinners, including children! So He used simple stories called 'parables.' A parable is a pretend story that teaches us something true. Today we're going to hear one of Jesus' most famous parables."
Part 2: The Farmer and the Seeds (3 mins)
Teacher: "One day, a huge crowd of people came to see Jesus. They were all pushing in close, trying to hear Him. And Jesus told them this story..."
Teacher: "He said: 'A farmer went out to plant his seeds.' Everyone watching Jesus knew about farmers and seeds. They saw them every day! Jesus used something they already knew about to teach them something new."
(Hold up some seeds.)
Teacher: "The farmer scattered his seeds, and they fell in four different places. Let's find out what happened to each one."
Teacher: "First, some seeds fell on the hard path."
(Pack down some soil in the pot to make it hard, and drop a seed on top.)
Teacher: "The path was hard and packed down. The seeds just sat on top. And then... the birds came and gobbled them up! Those seeds never even had a chance to grow."
Interaction (Age 4-6): "Can everyone flap their arms like birds and say 'chomp chomp chomp'? Those birds ate up all the seeds on the path!"
Teacher: "Next, some seeds fell on rocky ground."
(Place rocks in the pot and drop a seed among them.)
Teacher: "There was a tiny bit of soil between the rocks, so the seed started to grow. But when the hot sun came out, the little plant dried up because its roots couldn't go deep enough. The rocks were in the way."
Teacher: "Then, some seeds fell among thorns and weeds."
(Stick the twigs into the soil and drop a seed nearby.)
Teacher: "The seed started to grow, but the thorns and weeds grew up around it and squeezed it. The weeds stole all the water and sunlight, and the little plant couldn't survive."
Teacher: "But finally, some seeds fell on good soil."
(Place a seed in fresh, loose soil. Then bring out the healthy plant.)
Teacher: "This soil was soft and deep and rich. The seed grew roots, grew tall, and became a big, strong, healthy plant that produced lots and lots of fruit!"
Part 3: What Does It Mean? (3 mins)
Teacher: "Now, Jesus' disciples were a little confused. They asked Him: 'Jesus, what does a story about a farmer have to do with God?' And Jesus, because He is a patient and good teacher, explained it to them."
Teacher: "Jesus said: 'The seed is the Word of God.' That means the seed represents God's truth, the good news about Jesus!"
Teacher: "And the four types of ground? Those represent four types of people and how they respond when they hear about Jesus."
Teacher: "The hard path is like someone who hears about Jesus but says, 'I don't care. That's not true. I don't believe it.' The truth bounces right off them, like a seed sitting on hard ground."
Interaction (Age 4-6): "Show me what it looks like when you don't want to listen. Cover your ears and shake your head! That's what the hard path person does with God's Word."
Teacher: "The rocky ground is like someone who hears about Jesus and says, 'Oh cool!' at first. But when things get hard, like when friends make fun of them for believing in Jesus, they give up. Their faith doesn't have deep roots."
Teacher: "The thorny ground is like someone who hears about Jesus but gets distracted by other things. Maybe they think toys, games, or being popular is more important than Jesus. Those things are like weeds that choke out what really matters."
Question (Age 7-10): "Can you think of things that might be like 'weeds' in our lives, things that distract us from Jesus?"
Teacher: "And the good soil? That's someone who hears about Jesus, believes in their heart that it's true, and obeys Him. Their faith grows deep and strong, like a healthy plant!"
(Hold up the healthy plant.)
Part 4: Which Soil Are You? (2 mins)
Teacher: "Here's the big question Jesus wants us to think about: Which soil are you?"
Teacher: "Jesus said something very important. He said: 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.' 'Abide' means to stay close to, to listen, believe, and obey. And 'disciples' means friends. So Jesus is saying: 'If you listen to me, believe me, and obey me, you are really my friend.'"
Interaction (Age 4-8): "Let's say it together in simple words: 'If you listen, believe, and obey my teaching, you are really my friend.' Can you repeat that after me?"
(Have children repeat it.)
Teacher: "Jesus doesn't want us to just hear His words and forget them. He wants His words to grow deep in our hearts, like seeds in good soil. He wants us to be the good soil!"
Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)
(Gather children close for reflection.)
Discussion Questions:
Teacher: "Let's think about what we learned today."
Question: "Why did Jesus use simple stories to teach people instead of big, complicated words?" (Because He wanted everyone to understand, not just really smart people. Jesus came to save ALL sinners.)
Question: "In the story of the Sower, what does the seed represent?" (God's Word, the truth about Jesus.)
Question: "What kind of soil does Jesus want us to be?" (The good soil! People who listen, believe, and obey.)
Question (Age 7-10): "Is it easy for sinners to obey Jesus? Why not? Who can help us want to obey?" (No, it's not easy because we are sinners. But God can help us through His Holy Spirit.)
Teacher: "Remember: you don't have to be super smart or know big words to understand Jesus. He wants to teach YOU. The question is: will you listen, believe, and obey? Will you be the good soil?"
Closing Thought & Prayer
Teacher: "Jesus is the best teacher who ever lived. He uses stories, pictures, and actions to help us know God. And He is so patient with us! Even when we don't understand right away, He keeps teaching us. What a wonderful Savior we have!"
(Fold hands and bow heads.)
Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You for being such a good and patient teacher. Thank You for using simple words and stories so that even children can understand Your truth. Help us to be like the good soil. Help us to listen to You, believe You, and obey You. Make our faith grow deep and strong. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Memorizing Verse: John 8:31b
John 8:31b
"[Jesus said,] 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,'"
Hand Gestures:
- "If you abide...": Hug yourself (staying close, abiding).
- "...in my word...": Hold hands open like a book (the Bible).
- "...you are truly...": Give a big thumbs up (truly, for real!).
- "...my disciples.": Point to yourself and then to friends around you (we are His disciples/friends).
Craft & Game (10 mins)
Game: "Looking for Good Soil" Treasure Hunt
Children hunt for hidden seed cards and identify which type of soil each one represents.
⏰ Time: 5 minutes
👧 Age Group: 4-8 years
🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces the four types of soil and helps children identify the "good soil" response.
🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:
- 4 small plastic cups with potting soil inside
- 4 seed cards (each showing one type of soil: path, rocky, thorny, good), taped to craft sticks and inserted into the cups
- Hide the cups around the classroom before the game
🎲 How to Play:
Step 1: Tell the children: "I've hidden four seed cups around the room. Each one shows a different type of soil from our story. Your job is to find them!"
Step 2: When a child finds a cup, they bring it to the front and the group identifies which soil it represents.
Step 3: Ask: "Is this one the good soil?" If yes, everyone says the memory verse together!
Step 4: Have children close their eyes, hide the cups again, and repeat.
Craft: Seed and Soil Picture
Children create a picture showing the four types of soil to take home.
Materials: Paper divided into 4 sections (labeled: Path, Rocks, Thorns, Good Soil), real seeds or grain (e.g., oats, wheat), glue, markers or crayons.
The Activity:
- Section 1 (Path): Color the ground brown/grey and draw a bird eating the seed. Glue a few seeds on top.
- Section 2 (Rocks): Draw rocks and a small wilted plant. Glue seeds among drawn rocks.
- Section 3 (Thorns): Draw thorny weeds and a small choked plant. Glue seeds among the weeds.
- Section 4 (Good Soil): Draw rich brown soil and a big, healthy plant with fruit. Glue seeds in the soil. Write the memory verse below: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples." (John 8:31b)
- Take Home: Children can show their family the four soils and explain what each one means, teaching their parents the parable!
Response Song
Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)
"Dear Jesus, thank You for teaching us through stories we can understand. Thank You for being patient with us when we don't get it right away. Help us to be like the good soil, to let Your words grow deep in our hearts. We love You! Amen."
Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.