Weekly Fun Plan: Sowing Seeds
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Welcome to this week’s Weekly Fun Plan: Sowing Seeds! If you haven’t already I recommend you read my introductory blog post “Faith-filled Fun: What Is It? And Why I Started It”. That post will give you some background into this blog and a little more in-depth explanation of my Weekly Fun Plans and how to use them.
This Week’s Theme: Sowing Seeds!
If you’ve followed my blog for a while you’ve probably noticed I like to take ideas for Bible lessons from my own life as a mom and what I am currently trying to teach my children. This week my husband kindly built me some raised garden boxes, and as a family, we’ve spent lots of time out in the yard working on our new vegetable garden.
I’ve wanted to start a garden for years now, not only for its sustainability and self-reliance but also for all the lessons I know it can help teach my children. Responsibility, the science behind plants and weather, trust in the provision of God, and an understanding of the Biblical metaphor of sowing seeds to name a few.
So this week I thought it only fitting that our Bible lesson talk about The Parable of the Sower. And all our craft, snack, and activity ideas are garden-themed! If you try anything in this week’s plan don’t forget to share your experiences on social media! Tag us @faithfilledfun on Instagram or use #faithfilledfun.
New Weekly Fun Plans drop each Monday so stay up to date with the blog each week by subscribing to my email list!
Bible Lesson: What to Read or Watch this week
Since this week we are learning about The Parable of the Sower, here are some great resources to read/watch:
If you have young children (ages 0-8):
- Read the following Bible verses:
- Luke 8:1-15
- Watch “The Parable of the Farmer and the Seeds” by Saddleback Kids on YouTube. This is a cute 3-minute animated video that does a great job of explaining The Parable of the Sower that Jesus taught.
If you have older children/teens (ages 9-18):
- Read the same verses listed above. Then have them answer the discussion questions for this week’s lesson.
Bible Lesson: Questions to Ask Your Kids/Discuss this week
If you read the recommended Bible verses or watched the YouTube video your kids should be able to answer this week’s question:
What do the seeds represent in today’s story? Answer: The Word of God!
If you have little ones (ages 0-8):
I would focus on that one question first. Once they get that question down, move on to the additional discussion questions listed below.
If you have older children (ages 9-18):
Here are some additional questions you can discuss with them throughout the week:
- What did the seed on the path represent?
- What did the seed on the rocks represent?
- What did the seed in the thorns represent?
- What did the seed in the good soil represent?
- What is a parable?
- What type of “ground” are you?
- How can you yield a crop 100x?
Bible Lesson: Memory Verse
Memorizing scripture is vital to teaching our children at a young age. Recalling and reciting scripture that they’ve memorized will help them as they grow and go through trials in life. It will also encourage them, equip them to go out and be little disciples of Jesus, and strengthen their faith as they age.
This week let’s have your kids work on memorizing Luke 8:11
Memorizing scripture is so much easier for kids if you can find a way to make it fun. Here are some different ideas to try as a family to help memorize this week’s verse:
- Come up with some simple motions for each word of the verse and make a cheer or dance out of it.
- Come up with your own melody and create a song out of it.
- Make it a game. Start by saying one word or phrase of the verse at a time and have your kids repeat after you until you’ve gotten through the whole verse. Then repeat the process saying the words differently every time. Examples: slow, fast, in a silly voice, quiet, loud, etc.
Once your child/children have got it, I recommend practicing reciting the verse each morning over breakfast or before they leave for school and maybe even again before bed. Make it a part of your routine and you’ll be amazed at how fast they will begin to pick it up.
Supplies needed for this week’s activities
Here is a quick list of all the supplies that you will need to complete all the suggested crafts, activities, and snacks for this week’s plan. For a list of my most used craft supplies, and things I will be utilizing often in future Weekly Fun Plans be sure to check out my Links page.
- Markers
- Scissors
- Construction Paper
- Glue
- Acrylic Paint
- Paint Brushes
- Smooth Rocks OR Rock Painting Kit
- Small Cups
- Veggies (Cucumber, Celery, Carrots, Bell Peppers, etc.)
- Ranch/Veggie Dip
Recipe: Veggie Cups
This week’s recipe isn’t a recipe as much as a fun way to present a healthy snack to your kids. I always find that if I’m able to come up with new fun ways to “plate” my kid’s food, especially healthy food, they’re much more likely to eat it.
Wash, peel, and cut your favorite vegetables into sticks. Some suggested veggies are cucumbers, carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc. Next, mix up your favorite veggie dip or take some ranch dressing and put it into the bottom of a small cup. Stick your veggie sticks into the veggie dip fill up the cup and enjoy! See the image for reference.
Crafts:
This week, we are making a “Paper Veggie Garden” and “Painted Rock Garden Markers”. Both crafts are simple, fun, and perfect for Spring!
Paper Veggie Garden:
For our first craft this week we’re going to make this super easy Paper Veggie Garden! This one only requires 4 simple supplies, and your kids will love “picking” their veggies once it’s complete. Follow the link for easy step-by-step instructions.
Painted Rock Garden Markers:
Next up we have these cute Painted Rock Garden Markers. If your kids are rock collectors like mine then you should have no shortage of rocks around your house. This week let’s take a few of them and turn them into some useful art projects. Follow the link for an easy step-by-step guide.
Activities:
With our theme this week, “Sowing Seeds” here are a few extra ideas for activities to do with your children:
- If you have a garden or the ability to start one, tend to/plant some veggies or flowers. If you don’t have the space for a garden maybe consider one fruit or veggie that can be potted.
- Visit a local garden center to look at the different plants.
- Go for a hike outside and look at the different plants in nature.
- Make a “garden” sensory bin using seeds/beans, shovels, pots, flowers, fake veggies, etc.
Parenting Tip of the Week:
One easy way we can help our children build a strong foundation of faith is through the music we listen to in our homes and in the car. It can be such a passive activity having music on in the background while we cook dinner, while they play with their toys, or while we drive them to school or practice, but it can make such an impact. Fill your home with praise and worship music whenever possible. You’ll see the greatest effects of this when you suddenly hear your children singing along to the words of your favorite worship song. Check out my Spotify for playlists I’ve created specifically with Christian Songs for Kids and My Current Worship Favs to play in our home!
Prayers:
Lastly, I like to end each Weekly Fun Plan with some example prayers for your week. One is to pray with your kids, maybe before they get on the bus in the morning, before a meal, or before bed, and the other prayer is for you, the parent, to pray over your kids throughout the week.
Prayer to say with your kids this week:
Dear Jesus, I want to be good soil. Plant your Word deep in my heart and help me to grow my faith and my relationship with you every day. Amen.
Prayer to pray over your kids this week:
Dear Heavenly Father, as we learn and talk about the parable of the sower this week as a family, open our ears and soften our hearts to your word. Help my family to be good soil for you and may we produce a crop 100x what is sown. Grow in us a deep and mature faith. In Jesus name, amen.
I hope you have a wonderful week and don’t forget to subscribe to my email list and follow me on Instagram @faithfilledfun to stay up to date with the blog!