The Sower

• In the Parable of the Sower, the sower's seeds fall in different types of soil. Only the seeds that fall on healthy soil flourish. To grow as a Christian, you must be like healthy soil. Teach this parable to students by having them plant bean sprouts in different types of soil. Monitor the growth of the plant in healthy soil versus the plant in rocky, dry soil. Give each student five construction paper seeds and have them write ways to be like "healthy soil" on each. They could write: pray, worship or set a good example. Have them "plant" their seeds by glueing them to thick paper and draw a plant growing from each seed.
  
  

The Prodigal Son

• In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a father forgives his son for the mistakes he has made and celebrates his return with a feast. To teach students how powerful Jesus' forgiveness is, have them write down examples of situations in which they had to forgive someone. Have students share what they wrote and tell them that Jesus forgives each for their sins. Have students make posters portraying how Jesus feels about forgiveness. They could draw pictures of offenses forgiven by Jesus or depict Jesus welcoming with loving arms those who repent. Have each person share what they drew with others.
  
  

The Good Samaritan

• The Good Samaritan teaches Christians to show love to all people. In the parable, a Jew lays injured on the side of the road. Both a holy Levite and a priest pass him by, and don't offer to help. When a Samaritan passes, he helps the injured man. According to the Bible, Jews were not fond of Samaritans. Teach this parable by reading statements describing actions that show compassion and actions that are not compassionate. Have students stand when they agree the action displays compassion and sit if they disagree. Statements can include things such as helping a friend with chores or ignoring a student at school. Write the word love on the board and have students volunteer the names of people to whom they must show love. Encourage them to add unlikely people such as the bully at school or a grumpy store clerk.
  
  

The Lost Sheep

• In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the shepherd goes in search of his one lost sheep, leaving his whole flock behind. This parable teaches that all people are important to Jesus, and he wishes us all to be saved from our sins. To teach students about this parable, have them make origami sheep by folding a square piece of paper in half diagonally then folding two corners down to form ears. The students can decorate with markers and cotton balls. Tell them we are Jesus' sheep, and by confessing our sins we can be forgiven. You can lead willing students in a prayer for forgiveness.