Share the Word

Adult & All Age

Share the Word

Ways to present 1 Kings 3:5-12 and Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

All age act of worship Session

1 Kings 3:5-12

Introduce the reading by displaying a figure contemplating a pearl, sitting beside ‘the cup of salvation’. Say that, ‘The pearl is of great value to the figure; but is that value more or less than that of their salvation?’

Then before the reader begins, say, ‘In our reading today, God asks the young Solomon what gift he would like God to give him. Listen carefully to how Solomon answers and think what gift or quality you would like God to give you – and why.’

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Take some tiny seeds in your hand to show around; or pass round a bag of the seeds and invite people to take a few. Invite people to think about the seeds and what they can become: ‘Mustard plants can grow up to six metres high and wide. At the time of Jesus, Pliny the Elder wrote that they were valued for being good for the health with their pungent taste. They were also seen as a weed. Once they were sown, it was difficult to stop them, because the seeds germinated almost at once. As you listen to the Gospel reading, notice how the images described affect your heart. If not a seed, what image would you choose to describe the reign or kingdom of God?’

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Very young children's session for a version of the story for the under 5s.
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Children & Youth

Share the Word

Ways to present Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Activities marked with an asterisk next to the activity title are in addition to the resources in the Ready to go sessions. Suggested timings for these activities are also shown. NB The inclusion of additional activities varies from week to week.

For very young children
For children
For young people

A version of the story for very young children

Very young childrens Session

Lay out five cloth circles and place play objects or felt shapes
(in italics below) to tell the story.

Jesus told five short stories:
The kingdom of God is like a tiny seed that grows into a mighty tree
where many birds make their home.
The kingdom of God is like yeast that a woman kneads into a huge
bowl of flour until it causes the dough to rise.
The kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field. When a
man finds it, he sells everything he has to buy the field and own
the treasure.
The kingdom of God is like a precious pearl. When a trader
finds it, he sells everything he has so that he can buy the one
precious pearl.
The kingdom of God is like a fishing net. It catches all the fish.
At the end of the day, the fishermen sort the fish, the good from
the bad, just as will happen to people at the end of time.

FOR CHILDREN

Childrens Session

Read the story and pause at the to share these points with the children (see Stop and share below). Then use the activity to explore the passage together. (10 mins)

Click on the image to view a PDF.

Stop and share

The yeast is tiny and doesn't look like much, but holds much power and potential, helping the dough to rise.
The kingdom of God is the most precious prize. The merchant recognised the true value of this pearl.
We want instant results, we want fairness now, but we must trust God’s timing.

Repeat and crescendo W E

Read out the first four parables. As you do this, invite the children to suggest actions for the group to join in with. Read the passages again and encourage everyone to repeat the key phrases after you. Ask the children to whisper the words when the parable is about something waiting to grow or be found, and then build up to a shout when something grows or is discovered.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young people Session

Parable questions 15 mins W

On a large sheet of paper draw two columns, each headed with a question: What is the kingdom of heaven like? What takes time?
Read out each parable, allowing time for the group to write answers to the questions. Then ask: What examples of risk or trust are in these stories?

Spiritual styles abbreviations
W Word E Emotion S Symbol A Action
Read our Spiritual Styles articles

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