The Power of God’s Word

During the Year of the Word we are learning about the power of God’s word. We celebrate, live and share God’s word. Today we will continue to learn about God’s word through the parables that he told.

Pope Francis

The Parable of the SowerJesus often told stories to the people that followed him. He told them stories to help them make the right choices in life. One day, when many people were gathered on a hill, he told them the story of the Sower.

The Importance of Parables

Some of the stories that we read in the Bible are called Parables. Why are Parables so important?

-They describe God’s Word. -They describe God’s Kingdom.-They are an invitation to enter into the Kingdom of God. -They describe how God wants people to behave. -They are mirrors for people to see their behaviour, especially what they need to change. -They confront people with the choice to examine their priorities and make difficult choices.

The Parable of the Sower

A farmer went out to plant his garden. As he was throwing the seed on the ground some fell on the hard path nearby and the birds came and ate them.

The next seeds fell near some rocks the farmer had in a pile nearby. There was not much soil around the rocks so the seeds started to sprout and grow the next day. When seeds are not planted in the soil they do not grow roots. The roots help them stay strong and wet, which help them grow properly.

So in the afternoon when the sun was very hot the little plants that started to grow among the rocks withered away and died because they had no root in the ground.

As the farmer continued to throw seeds onto the ground some of the seeds fell among the weeds and thorns that he had not pulled out. The thorns grew faster and taller than the seeds, so the seeds could not get enough sunlight and were choked by the thorns.

Finally, some seeds fell on the good soil that the farmer had worked and dug holes for the seed to go into. Those seeds made plants and those plants produced lots of vegetables.

After Jesus told the parable the disciples asked what it meant. He knew that they would listen and so he told them what it meant.

The Parable of the Sower –the meaning

The parable of the Sower is a metaphor for learning and receiving the word of God. When the sower throws his seeds onto dry ground, among thorns and onto rocks, they do not grow as he has not prepared the land and given the seeds the best opportunity to grow. It is only when he throws them on good soil that he has prepared properly, that the seeds grow healthily.

Jesus revealed the power of the Word of God. Always listen to God’s word.

Matthew 13:1-9The Parable of the Sower13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Read and consider God’s words.

Matthew 13:18-23

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Read and consider God’s words.

The Word of God

God knows we have a lot to learn and that we may not understand everything in the Bible. God wants us to make the effort to learn more about him by reading our Bibles and by praying. God will gladly give us knowledge and understanding if we seek Him.

TaskCreate a colourful story board for the Parable of the Sower. Explain each part of the story carefully. Remember to explain the meaning of this parable.