How Does a Seed Grow?

By Timothy Brown
Object:    A Packet of Vegetable Seeds or Picture of a Seed Packet
Theme:   God wants you to do what’s right even when you don’t
                    understand.
Scripture:   2 Peter 3:18
Lesson:
  1. Show the packet and open it to show the seeds to the children.
  2. Comment on how small they are and how they will become a big plant if planted correctly. 
  3. Show the picture of the plant on the packet and describe the steps a seed goes through to become a plant or have the children tell the steps to you. 
  4. When you plant a seed, the seed itself dies but during the process, it sends out roots, which always grow down and spread out (John 12:24). The roots come before the plant and never stop growing. 
  5. When the roots are established, the plant begins to grow (the plant grows up) and starts to sprout leaves. 
  6. The plant always grows toward the light since prolonged darkness will cause it to die. It positions its leaves so that each one receives light. 
  7. When the plant is established, it begins to bear the vegetable. (It can also help to bring in a couple of the full grown vegetables and compare them with the seeds.)
  8. Suckers often begin to grow (small branches that take nourishment away from the fruit) and need to be pruned or cut off. 
  9. The veggies need to be picked to encourage more production.
  10. When you believe on the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you need to establish solid “roots” so you will stay faithful. 
  11. You establish those roots by reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible and by spending time with God in prayer each day. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us that God wants you to grow in the Lord Jesus.
  12. Once you start setting down solid roots, you will begin to bear fruit for God!
  13. Sometimes, when you watch a gardener prune a tree or plant, it almost looks like he or she is trying to kill it. It seems that they are cutting off way too much and the plant won’t survive. If the plant could think, it would probably think the same thing! Even though you may not understand, it is the best thing for the plant to have so much trimmed off. It will actually grow stronger and produce more fruit because of the pruning. 
  14. Sometimes, God allows difficult things into your life. When he does, it may mean that he is at work “pruning” you. If God allows it to happen, you can trust that it will eventually work out for your good.  If you have believed on Jesus as your Savior from sin, God wants you to do what’s right even when you don’t understand.