Religious Education and Social Justice

Parable of the Mustard Seed

When Jesus was teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven, he liked to use stories about familiar activities so that the people could understand more easily. These stories are called parables.

Sunday's Gospel reading included the parable of The Mustard Seed:

He put another parable before them, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and shelter in its branches.’

God created us, loves us and forgives us when we sin. He wants us to be kind to each other. Jesus tells us about His Kingdom. This Kingdom is not just something that is to come. The signs of the Kingdom are around us now, and can be seen in the goodness and kindness of people.

Sometimes it may seem to children that they can have very little effect in changing the world. They may think they are too small to accomplish anything in building up God's Kingdom. But just as the tiny mustard seed grows into a mighty tree, all the small efforts that any of us make in being kind, loving, gentle and sharing what we have with others, makes the Kingdom present in our world. Encourage your children in their efforts to be kingdom builders this week.

We pray:

That those who sow goodness

 by their work for those in need 

will be blessed by God.

That we will have faith 

that grows like a mustard seed.

 That the prayer of this community 

will be strengthened 

by the Holy Spirit.

That those who have lost 

a loved friend or relation 

will be comforted by the Spirit.

Most powerful God, 

you sustain us by the word 

your Son Jesus has planted. 

Hear our prayers and send your Spirit 

into our lives. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Jane Wilkinson

Religious Education Leader