INTRODUCTION
The Parable of the Sower is an ancient story about our attempts to grow seeds, and possible scenarios of obstacles that prevents growth. Sometimes things 1. get stolen, 2. burned up, and 3. choked before one finds fertile ground. However, even if one finds the right fertile soil, Jan Richardson, in her poem, "The Blessing of the Seed," notes basic premises one must take seriously in order to be a successful sower or gardener. One must let go of the seed, and trust that the seed knows the wisdom of the dark, funky dirt, and the seasons. One must trust that something is at work even when everything seems still, dormant and dead.
The Parable of the Sower is an ancient story about our attempts to grow seeds, and possible scenarios of obstacles that prevents growth. Sometimes things 1. get stolen, 2. burned up, and 3. choked before one finds fertile ground. However, even if one finds the right fertile soil, Jan Richardson, in her poem, "The Blessing of the Seed," notes basic premises one must take seriously in order to be a successful sower or gardener. One must let go of the seed, and trust that the seed knows the wisdom of the dark, funky dirt, and the seasons. One must trust that something is at work even when everything seems still, dormant and dead.
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The Parable of the Sower
(from Godly Play® storytelling - see Godly Play® links to purchase storytelling materials, and to learn about the Godly Play® approach, and how to receive training.) There was once someone who did such amazing things and said such wonderful things that people followed him. As they followed him, they heard him speaking about a kingdom. The kingdom was not like the one they lived in. It was not like one that anyone had ever visited. It was not like any kingdom anyone had even heard about. So they had to ask him, “What is the kingdom of heaven like?” One day when they asked him that, he said, “The kingdom of heaven is like when a sower, someone who scatters seeds, goes out and scatters seeds along the path. As the sower sowed seeds along the path, the birds of the air came and ate the seeds. The sower also sowed seeds among the stones. When the seeds tried to put their little roots down among the stones they could not push their way into the ground. When the sun came out it scorched the seeds and they died. The sower also sowed seeds among the thorns. When the seeds tried to push their little roots down among the thorns, they could push them part way in, but the thorns choked them, and they died. The sower also sowed seeds in the good earth. When the seeds pushed their little roots down into the good earth, they could go all the way in. They grew and grew. When they were all grown up they were ripe for the harvest. Then they were cut off, and gathered up. The harvest was thirty, sixty and one hundred bushels. |
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REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Which part of the story did you find most important? What resonated with you?
- What could the seeds really be?
- What could the birds, the rocks & hot burning sun, and the thorns really be?
- What could the harvest really be?
- Which part of the story is about you? Where are you in the story?
Guide for Facilitators of Spiritual Care Groups
Practice the Godly Play storytelling:
Leader's Guide
Participant's Guide
4 Seasons Seeds
Obstacles of the Seeds
Reflection1
Reflection2
Reflection3
Seed Drawing Example for Art#1
Collaborative Art
SLIDES FOR STAFF
PDF FOR STAFF
Participant's Guide
4 Seasons Seeds
Obstacles of the Seeds
Reflection1
Reflection2
Reflection3
Seed Drawing Example for Art#1
Collaborative Art
SLIDES FOR STAFF
PDF FOR STAFF
The Growing Seed (by Chaplain Donnel) Lyrics/Chords
VERSE 1
The sun grows the seed, the sun grows the seed
Feel the warm light, the sun grows the seed
The rain grows the seed, the rain grows the seed
Feel the fresh water, the rain grows the seed
CHORUS
In the dark, seek the light
Feel me grow through the night (2X)
VERSE 2
The dirt grows the seed, the dirt grows the seed
Feel the compost, the dirt grows the seed
The air grows the seed, the air grows the seed
Feel the wind blow, the air grows the seed
[Back to CHORUS]
VERSE 1
The sun grows the seed, the sun grows the seed
Feel the warm light, the sun grows the seed
The rain grows the seed, the rain grows the seed
Feel the fresh water, the rain grows the seed
CHORUS
In the dark, seek the light
Feel me grow through the night (2X)
VERSE 2
The dirt grows the seed, the dirt grows the seed
Feel the compost, the dirt grows the seed
The air grows the seed, the air grows the seed
Feel the wind blow, the air grows the seed
[Back to CHORUS]
