. . . 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. (Matthew 13.23)

The parable of the sower is an opportunity to examine how we respond to the Word of God. Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on our gratitude and Christ-like attitude. The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational. There are also stations designed for ages 2-4. (For more specific instructions on layout, purpose, design, and more ideas, you can view previous posts tagged under “Interactive Prayer Stations.”) You can see more pictures of these prayer stations here.

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Serenity in the Message

Materials: Glass blocks, Bowl of Rocky Soil, Paper, Pencils

Write a prayer for those times when trouble, crisis or attack threaten or deaden the message of Jesus in your life; when rocky, barren emotion becomes the soil that compromises your understanding of the message.

Interactive Prayer Station #2: Support for the Message

Materials: Glass blocks, Bowl of Sand, Paper, Pencils

On this destructive soil, identify areas in your life that prevent deep roots for the message of Jesus to grow deeper within you (e.g. the surrounding culture, possessions, doubt, work, fear dependency, the crowd, social or religious structures) – jotting down what they are.

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Understanding of the Message

Materials: Glass blocks, Bowl of Good Soil, Paper, Pencils

Where has your understanding of the message of Jesus been fertile among those around you & far away – thinking of the kind(s) of crop that speak of your fruitfulness, label these rows before the harvest.

Interactive Prayer Stations for Toddlers:

Activity one: Listen to the story about three kids planting seeds. Jesus told a similar story about what kind of dirt produces more. What kind of dirt are you? What kind of dirt do you want to be? What do you need to do to be good dirt? Grab a stick and poke each type of dirt. Notice how each is different. Which do you think is good for plants to grow well?

Materials: “What Kind of Dirt Are You?” by Linda Edwards, Rocky Dirt, Sand, Good Soil, Three Pans, Bible Story Booklets, Crayons, Sticks

Activity two: Planting God’s Word in our minds and hearts is very important. Use the “Sow the Word” prayer to remember that we need to sow good soil.

Materials: “Sow the Word” Prayer Sheets

Sow the Word by Craig

Sung to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Faith;

Some that fall along the path are quickly snatched away.

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Truth;

Some that fall on rocky soil,
Won’t last the whole day through.

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Hope;

Some that fall among the thorns,
Grow weak from fear and woe.

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Life;

Some that fall into good soil,
Will live a life for Christ.

Activity three: Different seeds grow at different rates, produce different fruit and need different nutrients. How Do Seeds Grow? 1) Grab a paper towel pouch. 2) There are 3 different types of seeds. Put one of each in each pouch. 3) Put the whole pouch in a ziploc bag. Slightly wet the paper towel by pouring a little bit of water. Do NOT close the ziploc bag. 4) Hang it up at home and watch for a few weeks which seed grows faster. Continue to dampen the paper towel as needed. 5) Use the handout to draw your observations.

Materials: Ziploc Sandwich Bags, Paper Towels, Sharpie, Observations Sheets, Pumpkin Seeds, Corn Seeds, Bean Seeds, Cup of Water, Dropper