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Mark 4:26-34

Growing In God

June 16, 2024

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Year B

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ASK (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

Good morning!
So I learned something about myself recently: I’m not very good at growing plants. I was trying to grow a flower and look what happened … [hold up the stick] … It died a horrible death!
So I think I did something wrong and maybe you can help me figure out what I did wrong.
Can you tell me what a plant needs to grow up to be healthy and strong? (water, sunlight, and soil)
And should I help my flower (or rather – the NEXT flower) get these things? (Yes)
OK – but HOW? (put it or plant it where it will get the right amount of sunlight, water it, and maybe plant it in some good soil or fertilizer)
That’s very interesting. So – can I just leave some water out for it like I would for the dog? (Noooooooooo! You have to pour it into the dirt near the plant)
Oh, I have to pour the water into the dirt by the plant! Got it. But I only have to do that once, right? And then I never have to worry about it again , right? (Nooooooooo! You have to keep doing it)
What!? I have to water the plant more than once!?!?!?! (YES!) How many times do I have to water it!? (at least once every few days)

Oh wow! That sounds a lot like … today’s scripture story!

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

In today's scripture story, Jesus is talking to the people around him about how small seeds grow into large plants.
He points out that when plants receive what they need (which you’ve helped me learn about today), then the plants grow big and strong and turn into these very helpful things for the animals – by giving shade and food to the animals.
But Jesus isn’t JUST giving good plant-growing advice.
Jesus is also talking about plants and how they grow because the same thing that is true for plants is true for us.

SHARE the Good News (a.k.a. The Destination)

Just like a plant grows when it has water, soil, and sunlight, there are things in us – like love, peace, and kindness – that grow when we pray, talk about the Bible stories and participate in worship.
Even though these might seem like little things to do, if we keep doing them on a regular basis, God’s love, peace, and kindness will grow in us in a big way.
And, if we are filled with God’s love, peace, and kindness that means we have God’s love, peace, and kindness to share with the people around us, too.
That’s the good news for today. Let’s pray.

CLOSING Prayer

This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,

Thank you for Jesus...

...who teaches us…

...who teaches us...

...how to grow in you…

...so that we can share…

...your love, peace, and kindness with others.

Thank you and amen

Originally posted June 6, 2015

Updated on May 18, 2024

Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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Supplies: Bring in a stick or a twig with dead or no leaves on it as a prop to show how bad you are at growing flowers.

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