Scattering Good Seed Everywhere
Month 6: Stories Jesus Told · Loving Others
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 13:3-9 & Mark 4:26-29
3 And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” — Matthew 13:3-9
26 Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. 28 All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. 29 And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.” — Mark 4:26-29
Memory Verse
“But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.””— Matthew 13:23 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Psalms 28-30
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 156 of 365 — "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning," Psalm 30.)The Heart of It
We've been thinking about being good soil. But today, let's flip the parable around. What if we're the ones doing the planting? The farmer in Jesus' story doesn't carefully test each spot before he plants. He walks his field and scatters seed generously. Some lands on the path. Some lands on rocks. Some lands in thorns. And some lands in good soil. He doesn't hold back the seed just because some places won't grow it. He's generous. And that's a beautiful picture of how we love the people around us with God's word and God's kindness. We scatter good seed everywhere. We scatter encouraging words, the gospel, and simple acts of love. Then we leave the growing to God.
Jesus tells a partner-parable in that takes the pressure off completely. A man scatters seed. Then he goes to bed and gets up, day after day, "and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how." The earth produces the crop "by itself," Jesus says. First the blade, then the head, then the full grain. Did you catch that? Our job is to scatter and to sleep. We keep doing the planting, and we trust God for the rest. We don't have to grow the harvest in someone's heart. We couldn't if we tried. So we tell our friend about Jesus, even if we're not sure how she'll respond. We're kind to the grumpy neighbor. We invite the lonely kid. Some seed won't take root, and that's not our failure. We keep sowing anyway, generously, because that's what the seed is for. And because God specializes in making things grow while we sleep.
Around the Table
A farmer throws seeds everywhere, not just in one little spot! We can spread God's love everywhere too. We can use kind words, share with others, and tell people about Jesus.
Let's do it: Plant three kind words today by giving them to three different people. Count them at bedtime!
Our job is to scatter the seed. God's job is to make it grow. That means we keep being kind and sharing about Jesus, even when we're not sure it will work.
Let's talk: Who is one person you could plant a seed with this week? And what kind of seed?
In Jesus' other parable, the seed grows by itself while the farmer sleeps. The growth is God's work, not ours. That frees us to sow boldly, without worrying about the results.
Let's go deeper: Does the fear of being rejected ever stop you from "planting"? How does it help to know growth is God's job, not yours?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you scattered kindness seeds all over your school or street this week, where do you think one might surprise you by growing?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
People sometimes object that sharing faith is pushy. But the farmer doesn't force the seed into the ground. He scatters it and waits. Real witness is generous and patient, never forced. We offer the good news freely, and we respect each person's response. Genuine faith can never be forced.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Mark's "seed growing secretly" parable is a quiet rebuke to two opposite temptations in ministry and parenting. The first is anxious control. It's the urge to manufacture spiritual results through pressure, guilt, or relentless management. The second is fatalistic passivity. It says, "If it's going to happen, it'll happen, so why bother sowing?" Jesus splits the difference perfectly. We are responsible to scatter faithfully and generously. But the mysterious, unhurried growth belongs to God, who works even while we sleep. For you as a father, this is enormous freedom. You are called to sow the word lavishly into your kids and into your neighbors. Then you are called to rest, trusting the Spirit to do what only He can do in a heart. You cannot save your children by sheer effort or perfect technique. But you are never excused from faithful sowing. Scatter widely. Sleep peacefully. And watch for the harvest in God's timing.
Draws on: Tim Keller, Jesus the King (on the parables of the kingdom).
Let's Pray Together
"Father, make us generous with Your love and Your good news. Help us share it with friends, with neighbors, even with people who are hard to love. We will scatter the seed. Please make it grow. And take away our fear of how people respond. In Jesus' name, amen."
Scatter the seed generously, then rest. God grows the harvest, even while I sleep.