Object Lesson

Understanding the Story

• The video says we usually don’t want weeds growing in a garden with our flowers?
• What did the bad guy do in the farmer’s field after the farmer finished planting his good seeds?
• When the workers asked if they should go pull up all the weeds right away, what did the wise farmer tell them to do instead?
• Why was it important to wait until the very end (the harvest) to separate the good plants from the bad ones?s fell?

Tricky Looks & Distinctions

• The sideo talked about plants (like deadly nightshade) and insects (like the honeybee and killer bee) that look almost exactly the same. What was the big difference between them underneath?
• Can we always tell if someone is a good person or a bad person just by looking at their clothes, their face, or how charming they seem? Why or why not?

What It Means for Us

• Is it our job to judge other people and decide who is “in” and who is “out” of God’s family? Who is the only one who truly knows what is inside a person’s heart?
• The speaker reminded us that deep down, none of us are perfect and we are all saved by God’s grace. How should knowing this change the way we treat others?
• Instead of ignoring or throwing away people who act like “weeds,” what can we do to help them experience God’s love? (Hint: Think about what we can pray for!)

Family Reflection Question

• How can our family show kindness and a good example to help nurture goodness in our neighborhood, school, or church this week?

QUESTIONS

The Garden Dilemma

• What is a weed, and why can it be a big problem for the good plants we actually want to grow?
• The story says that some weeds can actually look very pretty. Does that mean they are safe to leave alone in the garden, or do they still cause trouble? Why?
• How do weeds make it harder for the good seeds to grow strong? (Hint: Think about what they steal from the soil!)

Seeds, Weeds, and Our Choices

• When Jesus talks about “weeds” in our everyday lives, he isn’t talking about real plants—he’s talking about bad examples. What are some of the “weed-like” behaviors mentioned that people do?
• Why is it so much harder to be a good Christian and do the right thing when the people around us are acting like weeds?
• The story asks a big question: “Are you a seed or a weed?” What does it look like when a kid chooses to be a good seed at school, at home, or on the playground?

Growing Strong Together

• If someone around you is being a “weed” by lying, fighting, or being selfish, how can you keep your own heart focused on being “good soil” for God?