The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew, the Gospel Writer writes about the Kingdom of Heaven in a type of story called a parable.

What is a parable?

  1. A parable is a type of narrative.
  2. Parables are always made up; they haven’t happened (although they talk about everyday things so they could have happened).
  3. Parables are short; they compare two things. One is called the subject; the other is called the vehicle. It’s a funny word but it’s called that as it ‘carries meaning.’
  4. You have to figure out what parables mean.
The Kingdom of Heaven… is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.

Mt 13:31- 33

 

 

  • Watch the parable in these  short videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifKH0-y7O_I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONkzy7ffUFQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY89DzlwbN4

The parable of the mustard seed helps us to see that from small beginnings something big can happen.  The life of Jesus and the lives of many people down through history show us that from small beginnings something big can happen. One person can make a difference to the world, no matter how small and unimportant they might seem.

Although every Gospel talks about how Jesus wants us to build a new, fairer, more just world, Matthew’s Gospel talks about this more than any other Gospel writer does. Other Gospel writers talk about this new world as the Kingdom of God, Matthew calls it the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven isn’t a real place – it’s a place in our minds and hearts where we imagine that God is in charge (like a king) and everyone lives their very best selves – the way God hoped we would.

 

Choose from some of the activities below

  • Look at the emojis. List  all the feelings you think people would have in God’s kingdom.

 

Make a list of all the feelings and actions that you would expect to see and find in God’s kingdom. Use the emojis above to help you, but try to add to it.

Read the Parable of the Mustard seed again then divide the story into 3 parts; someone planting a tiny seed; it growing into a tree; the birds coming to nest in it. Draw each part in your book.

 

Create the final mustard tree with the birds perched in the branches92 Best Mustard Seed Parable Crafts images | Mustard seed parable ...

Make and illustrate a book mark which tells the story of the mustard seed.

Parable of the Mustard Seed bookmarks | Church crafts kids, Sunday ...

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