The Parable of the Sower (aka ‘The Parable of the 4 Hearts’) ~ FREE colouring pages, puzzles, crafts and creative ideas for kids… and this parable perhaps more than any other has a stern warning for all of us who claim to follow Christ… enjoy!
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ THINK SPOT
- When did the Lord Jesus start to speak publicly only in parables? Think timeline. It was only AFTER the Jewish leaders rejected Him, accusing Him of being on the same team as the Evil One, saying that His power was from the devil. Compare Mark 3:22 (accusation) | Mark 4:2 (the first parable); Matthew 9:34 (accusation) | Matthew 13:1 (the first parable).
- Parables = great stories that HIDE truth from those that reject truth. Huh?! Refer Matthew 13:10-15 and Mark 4:10.
- Seed = the Word of God that is sown in our hearts… both before and after we become Christians.
- 4 Soils = 4 types of hearts = hard; stony and shallow; choked with other things; or good/fruitful.
- What does a farmer need to do in order to make ground ‘ready’ for seed? How would you describe ‘good’ soil? One where the hard ground has been broken up? One that has been ‘rained on’ and perhaps softened and fertilised by hardships? What else?
- It is the WORD OF GOD that grows up to bear fruit. The Word of God is the seed, not us. We’re the soil that the seed grows in… or not. The soil is not what is important. It’s the seed that is important. And any gardener knows that over time, the soil tends to grow hard. It is a constant job keeping the soil soft and pliable and free from weeds and clutter. The Lord tells us in John 15 that it is ultimately God who is the Gardener, the one who decides how much water and fertilizer that our soils need. Why? In order to protect the precious seed growing there.
- This parable is often associated with how people respond to the Word of God when they first hear it. And it does. But doesn’t it also apply each time we hear or read the Word of God, even after being followers of Christ for many years? Which ‘soil’ is perhaps the greatest danger for Christians, one that can easily become a danger, so s-l-o-w-l-y that we might not even be aware of it? How about this one?
- How do we stop ourselves becoming blasé about the Word of God, inwardly yawning and thinking, ‘I’ve heard all this before and no longer need it’? What do you do? What works for you? Does trying a different Bible translation help? Or perhaps using FREE Bible software like e-Sword, where you can understand the original Hebrew and Greek word simply by hovering your mouse over it? That gives a far richer understanding to the text. It’s really up to us how close we want to be with the Lord and how seriously we take His Word (ye-owch).
- If we turn away from ANY truth that God has shown us and reject it, for whatever reason, then we are in danger of turning AWAY from Him (who is TRUTH) and turning TOWARDS darkness; and not only NOT being trusted with more truth, but even LOSING what little truth we have. This is exactly what happened to the Pharisees. And it’s a warning to us. See Matthew 13:10. And the disciples came, and said unto Him, “Why do You speak unto them in parables?” He answered and said unto them, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ BIBLE VERSES
Matthew 13:3-23 And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Mark 4:2-20 And He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in His doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
Luke 8:4-15 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Matthew 13:10-15 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mark 4:10-12 And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable. And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and NOT perceive; and hearing they may hear, and NOT understand lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ INFORMATION ~ FREE PRINTABLE
- Listen
The Parable of the Sower (Chuck Missler; 5 minutes) The four soils explained in Dr Missler’s inimitable way, and he asks you to ‘pay attention to these birds’.
Why Parables? (Chuck Missler; 10 minutes)
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- Read
The Parable of the Sower (Chuck Smith; teaching from the book of Matthew) The field is the world, the seed is the Word of God, and he who sows it is the Son of man, Jesus Christ. God’s Word sown throughout the world, some of it falls on the wayside. The birds pluck it up. The bird is the evil one Jesus tells us in Luke. Satan immediately comes along and plucks the Word out of the person’s heart. So there is an immediate rejection. There is nothing, there is no response… In the second category there are those who receive the Word with joy. Oh they get all excited. They have a tremendous emotional experience, but there is no depth. And soon when trials come, persecution begins to come, they fall away, because they have lacked depth… The third category, and unfortunately, I think that this is the category that we would probably have to deal mostly with, is that which fell among thorns… And the thorns ultimately choke out the life, that it becomes unfruitful. And when we read that those thorns are the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things, we realize that that fits many of us… And so I would warn you of this third type of soil.
The Parable of the Sower (Chuck Smith; teaching from the book of Mark) Jesus is talking about farming, about sowing seed, He’s taking something that is very familiar… the parable of the sower is how the word of God is received in the hearts of different people. With some people, the seed never has a chance to even root. They’re not open to the Word of God at all. As soon as it is sown, their mind is set against it, and satan plucks up that which was sown. It has no effect. There are others who get all excited, receive it with gladness and joy. And they start off with a bang, but when persecution comes, a trial or testing, they fall away because there’s no real depth… This third category covers probably a greater number of people in the church than almost any other. Those who receive the word; it begins to develop in their lives, but it is among thorns. And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things choke out the effectiveness of the word in their lives, and so there is no real fruit… their hearts are drawn away… They love the Lord. They have the right desires for God, but they also have desires for the world, for the things of the world. And thus, their lives never achieve what they should and could achieve for the glory of God because the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for these other things have choked out that full fruitfulness… Now, what the Lord is saying is that there is this beautiful unconscious growth taking place as God’s Word is being planted in your heart… as you’re hearing the word, the seed is being sown, the seed is being planted. And you go home, you sleep, you live life as normal, but the Word of God is having its effect. You can’t always see it immediately, but there is that growth… And gradually you will see your life being transformed and changed just by the power of the Word that is coming into your heart day by day. The glorious power of God’s Word changing a person’s life.
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ COLOURING PAGES FOR KIDS ~ FREE PRINTABLE
The Parable of the Sower – colouring pages (mylittlehouse) booklet 1 = 2 colouring pages; booklet 2 = 4 scenery pages depicting the four different types of ground that Jesus mentions in the parable: the wayside, the stony place, thorny ground, and the good ground; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (abdaacts; scroll down) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (doodlethroughthebible) from Mark 4; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (supercoloring) the sower throws his seed; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (sermons4kids) the sower throws his seed; The Parable of the Sower – colouring the birds eat the seeds; free printable
Parable of Sower and Seed – colouring booklet (Hiswondrousworks; scroll down to ‘parable of sower and seed’) 5 pages; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring pages (Biblenfant) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (craftingthewordofGod) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (waycoolBibleschool) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring pages (eBibleteacher) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (Biblewonderland; scroll down to ‘the parable of the sower’) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (Bible-printables); The Parable of the Sower – colouring; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (Biblewise) the four soils; The farmer sows his seed – colour by number; Wheat – colour by number; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – colouring (quotesgram; left click to enlarge) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – 5 colouring pages (Biblestoryprintables) free printable
Love Truth – FREE Scripture doodle (Paper Gifts for Estefany) free printable
The Spirit of Truth – FREE Scripture doodle (Paper Gifts for Estefany) free printable
Jazz up your colouring pages shrink or combine pages to make a new scene, add a border, a title, a Bible verse and some clip art to make your colouring pages more interesting with this easy tutorial.
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ PUZZLES FOR KIDS ~ FREE PRINTABLE
The Parable of the Sower – puzzle booklet (calvarycurriculumoriginal; scroll down to number 192) circle the correct words, true/false, word search, crossword; alternative link; also available in Spanish | Spanish; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – word search (livingwaterBiblegames) 21 words; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – crossword (sermons4kids) 10 clues; The Parable of the Sower – word search 20 words; The Parable of the Sower – multiple choice 10 questions; The Parable of the Sower – quiz 10 questions from a word bank; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – maze (Biblewise); The Parable of the Sower – worksheet explain the meaning of the 4 soils in your own words; The Parable of the Sower – discussion questions; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – anagram (dltk) word scramble; free printable
Design your own puzzle Feeling creative? Choose from several puzzle styles and use words your child will know to create a personal puzzle just for them… wherever your creativity leads you.
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ CRAFTS / ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS ~ FREE PRINTABLE
The Parable of the Sower – 3D picture craft (mylittlehouse); The Parable of the Sower – activity booklet (click on ‘booklet 2’) four scenery pages depicting the four different types of ground that Jesus mentions in the parable: the wayside, the stony place, thorny ground, and the good ground. Create scenes for acting out the parable; create a picture display; make a diorama; or make your own activity book; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – paper crafts (childrensBiblelessons) make a cool sower’s bag with handle out of a paper bag; make your own paper rocks, paper grass, paper birds, paper thorns
The Parable of the Sower – paper craft (auntiesBiblelessons) cut, paste and colour the bird hovering over the four soils; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – game (Christiangamesandcrafts) children sow seeds while blindfolded and get points for the seeds that land on the good soil; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – activity for kids (Biblewise) Have children throw seeds onto different types of ground – the road, the grass, and then have a special pot with soil for them to plant some seeds in. Give the children their own little cups or pots with seeds to look after. Next week, compare what happened to each group of seeds. Or combine that activity with this cool idea of making a mini garden out of a baking tray with a path going through it. Individual plastic party cups or mini yoghurt tubs would also work well and the children could have fun decorating them. More ideas of making a mini garden.
The Parable of the Sower – crafts and lesson ideas for kids (Biblefunforkids) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – diorama craft and lesson ideas (amysfreeideas)
The Parable of the Sower – activity pack for kids | teens (truewaykids) glue the seeds in the good soil; paper plate craft, circle the items the farmer needs to plant seeds; spot 7 differences in the scarecrows; count the seeds, colouring pages – a farmer sows his seed, the birds peck the seeds, thorns choking some of the plants, the farmer harvests his ripe crop; also available in French, Spanish, Portuguese; free printable
The Strength of Seeds – science experiment (answersingenesis) At first glance, seeds may seem very small and insignificant. But seeds were designed by God to grow in amazing ways… Are expanding seeds really strong enough to break apart rocks? Try this experiment to find out… The Word of God has the strength to lead people to eternal life. What will you do with the Word of God? Will you believe it and be like those who hear the Word and produce a crop, or will you be like those who fall away and do not mature?
The Parable of the Sower – lesson ideas (sermons4kids); The Parable of the Sower – group activities for kids
The Parable of the Sower – lesson ideas for kids (ministry-to-children); Parable of the Soils; Sowing in good dirt; The Parable of the Sower – mini booklet draw pictures to go with the text; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – lesson ideas for kids (kidssundayschool) four week series describing the four reactions people have after hearing the Word of God; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – lesson ideas for kids (ministryark) games and activities; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – door hanger craft (sundayschoolcrafts) free printable
The Parable of the Sower – cupcakes (churchhousecollection) for your Sunday school or homeschool students
The Parable of the Sower – lesson ideas for kids (childrenschurch) free printable
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ PAPER GIFTS ~ FREE PRINTABLE
The Parable of the Sower – FREE Bible poster (Paper Gifts for Estefany) with Bible verse from Matthew 13:23 – But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the Word, and understands it; which also bears fruit and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – FREE Bible poster (alittleperspective) with Bible verse from Luke 8:15 But the seed that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – poster for kids (doodlethroughthebible) with Bible verses from Mark 4; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – poster (images.knowing-Jesus) a farmer sows his seed as the birds come behind him with Bible verse from Matthew 13:4-8; The Parable of the Sower – poster with Bible verse from Matthew 13:38; Jesus tells a parable – poster with Bible verse from Mark 4:11 – And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – posters (freeBibleimages) photos from a movie scene; The Parable of the Sower – posters; The Parable of the Sower – posters; The Parable of the Sower – posters; more; free printable
The Parable of the Sower – poster for kids (ministryark; scroll down to ‘powerpoint image’ at the end of the post) free printable
Sower Parable – cartoon booklet | alternative link (lambsongs; scroll down to ‘pdf’ and click on ‘booklet’ and ‘cover’) free printable
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MORE CREATIVE IDEAS
Found a suitable image that your child will love? Add a favourite Bible verse and make your own:
Bible poster or verse card
Bible bookmark ~ add your child’s name
Bible note cards / notepaper ~ use the same tutorial, but just space out your initial four rectangles.
Bible wallet cards
Bible stickers
Stationery
Bible board game
Jazz up your envelopes if you are including any special treats like stickers (e.g. grain stickers) for your homeschool students. Sticker sheets are fine for your sponsored child.
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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER ~ STATIONERY ~ FREE PRINTABLE
The Parable of the Sower – FREE stationery (Paper Gifts for Estefany) a photo of grain on blue and black background with Bible verse from Matthew 13:23 – But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the Word, and understands it; which also bears fruit and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty; free printable
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PRAYER
Lord, please soften our hearts towards You. And please soften the hearts of our precious children. Help us to have hearts of good soil for Your Word, so that we will bear much fruit for Your glory. Amen.
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RELATED LINKS
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Can the world tell we’ve been with Jesus? the research results were so surprising that they asked professional researchers to confirm them.
FREE Bible software (e-Sword) deepen your understanding of the Bible by simply hovering your mouse over a word to find out what it means in the original Hebrew and Greek.
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And when you write to your sponsored child, ask them to think about the Lord Jesus’ words about the condition of our hearts. What is it like when they hear or read the Word of God? Is it hard; shallow and stony when things go wrong; choked with other things; or good soil that is fruitful for Him…
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