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Small Seed, Big Kingdom: The Mustard Seed and the Yeast

Matthew 13:31-33; Luke 13:18-21; Mark 4:30-32; Ezekiel 17:22-24 New Testament PrincipleHope

Jesus holds a tiny mustard seed on His fingertip while children lean in to see, with a tall flowering mustard plant behind them.

Jesus said God's kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a plant big enough for birds to nest in, and like a little yeast that works through a whole batch of dough. God's kingdom starts small, but it always grows, so we can have hope.

God's kingdom grows because God makes it grow. Because He keeps His promises, we can have hope even when His work looks small or hidden.

  1. CreationGod made it
  2. FallWe broke it
  3. RedemptionJesus fixes it
  4. RestorationJesus makes it new (this lesson)

Memory verse

“It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Luke 13:19 BSB

Christ Connection · Jesus’ plan

Jesus' own story looks like a mustard seed. He was born as a baby in a feeding trough, worked as a carpenter in a small town, and chose twelve ordinary followers. After He rose and went back to heaven, His followers numbered about 120. But the kingdom He planted has grown across the whole world, and one day people from every nation will stand before His throne (Revelation 7:9).

Luke 2:7; Acts 1:15; Acts 2:41; Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 7:9

The Big Story · Restoration

God promised a kingdom that would fill the earth. It began small, with a baby in Bethlehem and a few followers, and it is still growing. One day Jesus will make all things new, and His kingdom will fill everything.

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Jesus said God's kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a big plant, and like a little yeast that makes all the dough rise. God makes His kingdom grow, so we can have hope.

Memory verse

“It is like a mustard seed. It grew and became a tree, and the birds nested in its branches.”

Adapted from Luke 13:19

Start here

Take kids outside for a quick "small things" walk with paper bags and magnifying glasses. Look for the tiniest seed, the smallest bug, a little sprout in a crack and the biggest tree. Come back in and ask, "Do you think that big tree was ever tiny?" Say, "Jesus told a story about a tiny seed that grew really big."

Bible story 6 min

Jesus was teaching a big crowd. He wanted them to know what God's kingdom is like. God's kingdom is where God is King.

Jesus said, "God's kingdom is like a mustard seed."

A mustard seed is tiny. It is about as big as the head of a pin. A man planted one in his garden.

The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.

DaschDasch Digs Up: Did You Know?

A black mustard seed is only about 1 to 2 millimeters across, about the size of a pinhead. Yet the plant can grow taller than a grown-up!

Matthew 13:32

Try an activity

Small things hunt 8 min

You’ll need: Paper lunch bags, Magnifying glasses, A white paper plate

  1. Spread out the things from the small things walk on a white plate. Look at them with magnifying glasses.
  2. Line them up from smallest to biggest. Then talk about which tiny things could grow into something big, like an acorn into an oak tree.
  3. Ask, "God made tiny seeds that turn into giant trees. What does that tell you about God?"
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The same principle in other Bible stories.

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