Growing weeds
Children's sermon
Object:
some wheat stalks and different kind of weeds
Good morning, boys and girls. Last week we were talking about planting seed in different kinds of soil. Do you remember? (let them answer) We heard about a rock, some gravel, some weeds, and very good dirt.
Today, we have something very similar. Jesus is telling another story about a farmer. Only this time, the problems were different. The farmer planted all his seed on good soil and his wheat began to grow. But one night, a bad person got into the field and spread weed seeds all over the field. They grew faster than the wheat and before long everywhere you saw wheat you also saw the weeds.
The workers were very disappointed and their field of wheat looked so ugly they were ashamed of it. They went to the farmer and asked them if they should cut it down. The farmer said, "No, let them both grow but when it is time to harvest the wheat we will separate the good wheat from the bad weeds. Then we will burn the bad weeds."
Jesus told this story because he wanted people to understand what happens in their own lives. When you wake up in the morning everything seems wonderful, doesn't it? (let them answer) At breakfast, maybe someone says something that makes you mad. It is like having a weed growing in the wheat. Next, you find out that you must take the bus to school rather than ride with your dad. You don't want to ride on the bus and you tell everyone how unhappy you are -- another weed. Before long you are arguing with your parents -- another weed. Then you complain about your lunch -- another weed. And finally you spill your glass of milk on the floor -- so many weeds.
At school, you forget your homework and the teacher tells you that she is going to lower your grade. Now the teacher is handing out weeds. How did things get so bad? After school you should practice the piano, but who cares, it has been a bad day. If you don't practice, then there is no snack or television. What is happening to you? Your life is full of weeds.
Do you understand what Jesus is trying to tell you? (let them answer) God is pouring his life into you through Jesus. You read the Bible, pray every day, and come to church every Sunday, but the devil is still at work trying to make you do bad things. This is why we have to always be alert and keep our faith in Jesus.
Today, we have something very similar. Jesus is telling another story about a farmer. Only this time, the problems were different. The farmer planted all his seed on good soil and his wheat began to grow. But one night, a bad person got into the field and spread weed seeds all over the field. They grew faster than the wheat and before long everywhere you saw wheat you also saw the weeds.
The workers were very disappointed and their field of wheat looked so ugly they were ashamed of it. They went to the farmer and asked them if they should cut it down. The farmer said, "No, let them both grow but when it is time to harvest the wheat we will separate the good wheat from the bad weeds. Then we will burn the bad weeds."
Jesus told this story because he wanted people to understand what happens in their own lives. When you wake up in the morning everything seems wonderful, doesn't it? (let them answer) At breakfast, maybe someone says something that makes you mad. It is like having a weed growing in the wheat. Next, you find out that you must take the bus to school rather than ride with your dad. You don't want to ride on the bus and you tell everyone how unhappy you are -- another weed. Before long you are arguing with your parents -- another weed. Then you complain about your lunch -- another weed. And finally you spill your glass of milk on the floor -- so many weeds.
At school, you forget your homework and the teacher tells you that she is going to lower your grade. Now the teacher is handing out weeds. How did things get so bad? After school you should practice the piano, but who cares, it has been a bad day. If you don't practice, then there is no snack or television. What is happening to you? Your life is full of weeds.
Do you understand what Jesus is trying to tell you? (let them answer) God is pouring his life into you through Jesus. You read the Bible, pray every day, and come to church every Sunday, but the devil is still at work trying to make you do bad things. This is why we have to always be alert and keep our faith in Jesus.
