Opening Activity
Planting Seeds
Begin the lesson with a simple hands-on activity of planting seeds. Give each participant a small pot and some easy-to-grow seeds, and guide them through placing the soil, planting the seeds, and pressing the soil gently over the top. Allow them time to complete this step quietly. This activity will help set the stage for the reflection to come.
Great job, everyone, in planting your seeds! You each got your hands into the soil and placed something very small into it. Right now, it may not look like much. It might even seem like nothing is happening. But hidden inside that soil is the start of something alive. You will only see the results later, as the seed slowly begins to grow. That is the same with our faith. Sometimes it starts in ways that look small, but God is already at work inside of us.
Think for a moment about what your seed will need in order to grow. Just like plants cannot grow on their own, our faith does not grow without help. When we planted our seeds, we realized they would need some key things. What do you think those are?
Yes, water and sunlight. Those are both so important. Seeds need water to stay alive and sunlight to give them energy. In the same way, our faith needs care and attention. It needs the water of God’s Word and the sunlight of His presence. Without these, faith can dry up or fade away. With them, it can grow into something strong and lasting.
Scripture Reading
Let’s read Mark 4:26-34 together and see what insights we can learn from it about planting seeds of faith.
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”
He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
Discussion
Let’s take a closer look at what Jesus is telling us in the Gospel of Mark 4:26-34. In this passage, Jesus shares two parables about seeds. He tells us about a farmer who scatters seed on the land. The farmer doesn’t really know how the seed grows, but he watches as it changes from a tiny shoot to a plant ready for harvest. Jesus also speaks about the mustard seed, which is one of the smallest seeds around. Yet, when it is planted, it grows into one of the largest garden plants, big enough to give shade and shelter to birds. Both parables use simple images, but they carry deep meaning for our lives as people of faith.
The first lesson we can learn is that God’s Kingdom, and our own faith, often start in small ways. Think about a seed. It looks tiny, dry, and not very impressive. But hidden inside is the potential for something much bigger. The same is true for our faith. Maybe you sometimes feel like your faith is weak or not very important. You might wonder if praying, reading the Bible, or going to Mass makes any difference. But Jesus reminds us that even the smallest beginning can grow into something amazing. Each step you take toward God matters. A small prayer, a kind word, or a quiet act of service can be the seed of something much greater.
The parable of the growing seed also teaches us something about patience and trust. The farmer scatters the seed, but he doesn’t control how it grows. The seed grows “he knows not how.” In the same way, we don’t always understand how God is working in our lives. Sometimes you may feel like your prayers are not being answered. Or maybe you can’t see how your faith is changing you. But growth is happening, even if it’s hidden for now. God is always at work in ways you may not notice. This parable calls us to trust God’s plan and to be patient. Just like seeds take time to grow, so does faith.
The mustard seed parable gives us another important picture. Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like this tiny seed that grows into a large plant where birds can make their nests. The point is that something small can have an impact far bigger than anyone would expect. The same is true with your faith. You may think your choices don’t matter, but they do. A small act of kindness can change someone’s day. A simple prayer can bring comfort. Standing up for what’s right can inspire others. Just like the mustard seed becomes a shelter for birds, your faith can grow into something that gives life and strength to the people around you.
So what does this mean for you right now? It means you are called to take care of your faith, the same way you would care for a seed you planted. Seeds need sunlight, water, and good soil to grow. Faith needs prayer, God’s Word, and the sacraments. Prayer is like water, refreshing your soul. Scripture is like sunlight, giving you direction and warmth. The sacraments are like rich soil, grounding you in God’s grace. If you stay close to these things, your faith will grow stronger. It won’t happen instantly, but over time you’ll see the difference.
It also means you may need to remove some weeds that can choke your faith. Think about the things in your life that keep you from growing closer to God. Maybe it’s distractions, negative influences, or habits that pull you away. Just like a gardener pulls weeds, you may need to let go of some things so your faith has room to grow. This isn’t always easy, but it is worth it.
Finally, both parables invite you to take courage. Growth requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Seeds don’t grow if they stay locked away in a packet. They have to be planted in the dirt. Your faith won’t grow if you keep it hidden or if you never take risks for it. Maybe that means volunteering, joining a Bible study, speaking up when it would be easier to stay silent, or simply making time each day to talk to God. When you step out in faith, even in small ways, God can do something great with it.
So remember this: your faith may feel small, but it holds incredible potential. Trust God to do His work in you, even when you don’t see results right away. Be patient. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep opening yourself to God’s Word. As you do, your faith will grow, and through you, God’s Kingdom will spread. You are part of His plan, and He wants to use your life as a place where others can find love, hope, and shelter—just like the birds find shade in the branches of the mustard tree.
Small Group Reflection Questions
When it is time for small group discussion, invite the youth to gather in circles of four to six people. Encourage everyone to take turns speaking so that all voices can be heard. Remind the groups that this is a safe space for honest sharing, and there are no wrong answers. The purpose is to reflect together, listen to one another, and grow in faith as a community.
- How does the image of a seed help you think about your own faith journey?
- What do you think it means to trust God when we cannot see how our faith is growing?
- Can you think of a time when something small you did had a bigger effect than you expected?
- What are some “weeds” in your life that might get in the way of your faith growing?
- How do prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments help give your faith the strength to grow?
- What does it look like to step out of your comfort zone in order to grow in faith?
- How can your faith provide encouragement or “shade” for others, like the mustard plant did for the birds?
- What is one small step you can take this week to nurture your faith?
Challenge
This week, your challenge is to take the seed you planted home and care for it. Every time you water it or check on it, pause for a short prayer. Ask God to help your faith grow, just like the little plant is growing. Remember that both need patience and daily attention. Watching the seed sprout will remind you that your faith also needs steady care, even if you don’t see big changes right away.
Along with caring for your plant, try adding two small practices to your week. First, spend a few minutes each day reading a short passage from the Bible, maybe even the daily Gospel reading. Let God’s Word be like sunlight for your heart. Second, do one simple act of kindness for someone else—a word of encouragement, a small favor, or even a prayer for a friend. These little actions are like planting seeds in the lives of others, helping God’s Kingdom grow.
Prayer
Let’s take a moment now to quiet ourselves and turn our hearts to God. Close your eyes if you’d like, and place your hands together as we pray.
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of faith you have planted in each of us. Just like the seeds we placed in the soil today, help our faith to grow strong and steady. Remind us that even the smallest acts of love and kindness can make a difference in your Kingdom.
Lord, give us the courage to step out of our comfort zones. Help us trust you when we cannot see the results right away. Teach us to be patient, to stay close to your Word, and to lean on you in prayer.
Bless our group as we go from here. May our lives shine with your light and bring hope to others. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen.
More Resources
See https://young-catholics.com/8791/planting-seeds-of-faith-lesson-plan for more resources.