Planting my Kids in the "Good Soil"

Yesterday during worship Dr. Dale's message was on the "Parable of the Sower" (Mark 4:1-21).  Summer Sunday School: Parable ME!  then reinforced the lesson with the children.

To break down the parable in simple terms the "sower" or the farmer walked along a path throwing seeds.  Some seeds landed on the path and were quickly eaten by the birds.  Some seeds landed on the rocky path and begin to grow only to be shriveled up and die from the heat of the sun.  Other seeds landed between the weeds and, although they grew, were eventually choked out by the weeds that surrounded them.  And finally, seeds that landed in the good soil grew and produced much harvest.

In the Common English translation of Mark 4: 1 - 21 the title of this parable is "The Parable of the Soils"  To children, this title makes more sense.  The seeds fall on four different soils.  The seeds are the same, the soil changes.  Children are born the same.  Of course, they may look different, they may act different, and they will grow at different rates but their spirit is defined by God and it is the same.  It is our children's environment, their personality, their life experience that changes them... just as the soil made the difference with the seeds.  Thankfully, Jesus expanded on his parable to let us know just what each type of soil means:

1) The path: "When the word is scattered and people hear it, right away Satan comes and steals the word that was planted in them." (vs. 15)  I think this is what happens when society influences us.  I'm not saying that all things in our society are the devil.  However, we must use caution when we walk through this world.  We must use constant vigilance against the evil our children are exposed to.

2) The rocky ground: "When people hear the word, the immediately receive it joyfully.  Because they have no roots, they last only for a little while." (vs. 16,17)  Each week we join together in worship.  Then what?  Do you read the bible during the week?  Do you actively seek a relationship with Jesus?  Do you go to a bible study?  What are you doing to ensure that your roots are growing deeply?  How are you influencing your children to do the same?

3) Thorny plants: "These are the ones who have heard the word; but the worries of this life, the false appeal of wealth, and the desire for more things break in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit." (vs. 18,19)  This is the seed that goes to worship, goes to bible study, engages in prayer but all the while thinking about the next thing coming.  They are trying to have that genuine relationship with Jesus but all the distractions of life are making it hard to prioritize the way God has commanded.  Remember, you are teaching your children to prioritize.

4) The good soil: "The seed scattered on good soil are those who hear the word and embrace it." (vs 20)  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines embrace as: to clasp in the arms: hug.  to cherish, love and encircle, enclose.  The good soil is my desire for my children.  It my desire for myself and my spouse.  It is my desire for YOU.  The good soil is there.  Right there in our midst.  It is truly giving ourselves to God.  To listening to the word.  To embracing it through worship, study, reading, fellowship and listening.

I've come up with something to do this week to enhance the planting of my children in the "good soil".  We will continue reading our bible every morning.  We will encourage prayerful thought during the day.  But, something tangible that will show what the "good soil" can do?  We're going to do a science experiment of sorts.
Here's a list of our supplies:  (Your list may be different, use what you have around your home.)
Lava rocks
Mulch
Play sand
Potting soil
Flower seeds
Cups
The experiment:
Each child gets four cups.  Through the discussion of the parable we decide what will go into each cup.  The first cup may have nothing but seeds in it.  The second may have lava rocks or pebbles with the seeds.  The third may have mulch or sand (and seeds) and the fourth will have the potting soil and the seeds.  During the week we will visit the cups and discuss how the seeds are doing.  Don't forget to water them!  My prayer will be that the fourth cup (good soil + seeds) will sprout and reinforce the need of planting our seeds in the good soil.   

Have a wonderful week!

Teaching my children to serve....

After the powerful sermon from Dr. Dale this last Sunday, my wish for my children is not to get too wrapped up in their 'stuff' but wrapped up in their relationships.  Because "God wants us to Live for What Matters Most".  (Scripture from Luke 12:13-21)  So, what matters most?  First, our relationship with God.  Second, our relationship with family.  And, third, our relationship with friends and fellow humans.

Our family has a strong focus on our relationship with God.  We do a morning bible study each morning; sometimes we read straight from the bible, other times we do a biblical activity with a scripture reference and sometimes we use one of our many children's devotional books.  My children also watch me model my relationship with God by seeing me read my bible every morning.
We also have a strong family relationship.  We eat dinner as a family 95% of the time during the week.  We talk about our day and give praises for actions that stood out to us so that each family member feels special and appreciated.
So, my focus for this week is to really try and teach my children how to serve their friends and fellow human beings.  Using the scripture from Ephesians 6:7 that says "Serve eagerly as if you were serving your heavenly master and not merely serving human masters" we can tie in the relationship we are building with God and eagerly serve our friends in the way that would make God most happy.

Here is the week-long plan:
Monday - Give water bottles to our trash guys and say Thank You with a smile on our faces.
Tuesday - Make cards for any church member that's in the hospital or needing a pick-me up.
Wednesday - Make cookies for our neighborhood firehouse.
Thursday - Pick out items from our pantry to donate to the food basket at church.
Friday - Pick a gently used toy to donate to another child in need.
Saturday - Using their own money, buy cat and dog food and donate it to our local animal shelter.

Your plan may look different.  If you are just starting this journey I urge you to work on priority relationship number one within your family, your relationship(s) with God and Jesus.  You can begin by praying out loud with your child(ren) and having them say some things they are thankful for.  Praise God together!

Have a wonderful and blessed week!