The Sower
A farmer scatters seed on different types of soil. Jesus explains that the soil represents different responses people have when they hear God's Word.
Matthew 13:1-23
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The Story
A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
Jesus explained: '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.
The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes, they quickly fall away.
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.
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.'
The Farmer and the Seeds
Kids Version
Jesus told a story about a farmer planting seeds.
The farmer walked through his field, throwing seeds everywhere.
Some seeds fell on the HARD PATH. They just sat on top. Then birds came and—GOBBLE, GOBBLE—ate them all up! Those seeds never grew.
Some seeds fell on ROCKY ground. They started to grow super fast! But there wasn't much dirt. When the hot sun came out, the little plants dried up and died. Their roots weren't deep enough.
Some seeds fell where THORNY weeds were growing. The seeds started to grow, but the weeds grew faster. The weeds squeezed out the good plants. No fruit grew.
But some seeds fell on GOOD, soft soil. These seeds grew and grew and grew! They made TONS of fruit—30, 60, even 100 times more than what was planted!
Jesus explained what the story meant:
The SEEDS are God's Word—the Bible, the good news about Jesus.
The SOIL is people's hearts—how they respond when they hear about God.
HARD PATH hearts don't understand. Satan snatches the truth away.
ROCKY hearts get excited at first, but give up when things get hard.
THORNY hearts are too worried about money and stuff. God's Word gets choked out.
But GOOD SOIL hearts hear God's Word, understand it, and let it grow! Their lives produce amazing things for God!
What kind of soil is YOUR heart?
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Matthew 13:1-23 (KJV)
1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11He 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.
12For 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.
13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14And 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:
15For 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.
16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17For 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.
18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19When 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.
20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21Yet 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. offended: he relapseth, or, falleth into sin
22He 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.
23But 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.
Memory Verse
“The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.”
— Matthew 13:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Sower” in the Bible?
A farmer scatters seed on different types of soil. Jesus explains that the soil represents different responses people have when they hear God's Word. This story is found in Matthew 13:1-23.
Where is “The Sower” found in the Bible?
“The Sower” is found in Matthew 13:1-23, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Sower”?
This story teaches children about Hearing God's Word, Different responses, Spiritual growth, Fruitfulness. A farmer planted seeds in different kinds of soil. Some seeds couldn't grow, but some grew big and strong! Jesus explained that the seeds are like God's Word, and the soil is like our hearts.