Matthew CHAPTER 13 Jesus explains why He teaches with parables—He gives the parables of the sower, the wheat and the tares, the grain of mustard seed, the leaven, the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea—A prophet is not honored by his own people.

Luke CHAPTER 8 Jesus gives and interprets the parable of the sower—He stills the tempest; casts out a legion of devils, who then enter the swine; heals a woman of an issue of blood; and raises Jairus’s daughter from death.

Luke CHAPTER 13 Jesus teaches, Repent or perish—He gives the parable of the barren fig tree, heals a woman on the Sabbath, and likens the kingdom of God to a mustard seed—He discusses whether few or many are saved and laments over Jerusalem.

I need to prepare to learn the teachings of Jesus.

Matthew 13:1–23

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13”

Display different kinds of soil (or pictures of soil) as you summarize Matthew 13:3–8. Give each child a seed, and ask what they could do to help the seeds grow. Explain that our testimonies are like seeds. How do we help our testimony “seeds” grow?

Friend January 2019 “Testimony Plants”

• A testimony is what you believe is true, like “God loves me” or “Families are forever.”
• Like plants, everyone’s testimonies grow at different speeds. Heavenly Father is happy when your knowledge grows even a little.
• Plants need water and sunlight to grow. Scriptures, prayer, and church are like water and light for your testimony.
• Roots make plants strong. You can keep your testimony strong by remembering Heavenly Father and Jesus every day!

Friend January 2016

Use this week’s activity page to help the children understand what each type of soil described in Matthew 13 teaches about our hearts. Ask the children which type of heart Jesus wants them to have in order to learn His teachings.

Read Matthew 13:9, 15, and invite the children to point to different parts of their body when they hear them mentioned. Draw an eye, ear, and heart on the board. How can we use these body parts to learn the teachings of Jesus?

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Object Lesson: Take a moment to look for hidden items in the following image.

Which items were easy for you to find? Which ones required more effort?

In parables, Jesus compared familiar objects or situations to spiritual truths, and sometimes it takes effort to find the meaning.

If we seek for answers we can see, hear, feel, and understand

• Ears: We can listen and pay attention when we are being taught.
• Hearts: We ca pray for the Holy Ghost to help us understand.
• Eyes: We can read the scriptures find answers in the footnotes or good books.
• Mouth: We can ask questions like the apostles did.

I need to prepare my heart to receive the teachings of Jesus.

Matthew 13:1–23

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13” How can you help the children recognize the importance of having a soft and willing heart so that Jesus can teach them?

Assign each child to read about one of four types of soil in Matthew 13:4–8. Invite them to look for and share what happens to the seed in the type of soil they read about. How can our hearts be like the different types of soil? (see Matthew 13:19–23).

For the Strength of Youth March 2023 “The Sower”

Show the children a picture of a garden. What does the soil need to be like in order for plants to grow in it? Show a picture of rocky or thorny soil. Why would plants have a hard time growing in this kind of soil? How can we make sure our hearts are like the good soil so that we can receive the Savior’s teachings?

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13” After reading the parable of the sower together, your family might discuss questions like these: What can make our “ground” (our hearts) “stony” or “choke” the word?

Stony object lesson: Show the children two clear bowls with a cup of water in each. Also show them a rock and a cup of dry dirt (or sponge). Ask what would happen if you were to put the dry dirt into the water and then ask what would happen if you put the rock into the water. Demonstrate that the dirt soaked up the water and the rock did not. Then explain that when people harden their hearts, they don’t listen or try to understand, and the words of God fall by the wayside. Or, if people don’t put effort into learning and absorbing gospel truths, they might not have enough of the word of God in their heart and their testimony of the gospel withers away when difficulty or temptation comes.

The soil that soaked up water is like our hearts ready to soak up the word of God. How can we make sure we are ready to receive the word of God?

Choke out the word: When we love certain things more than we love God, such as sports, or video games, or recreational activities, we get so caught up in them that they become more important and choke out the desire to do the things of eternal importance and choke out the spirit in our lives.

Friend January 2017 “The Next Level” Max takes a week off from playing games and he learns new things, spends time with his family, serves, and feels the Spirit.

Friend October 2016 .

Invite the children to read Matthew 13:15–17. Draw an eye, ear, and heart on the board. How do we use each of these things to learn the teachings of Jesus?

Object Lesson: Take a moment to look for hidden items in the following image.

Which items were easy for you to find? Which ones required more effort?

In parables, Jesus compared familiar objects or situations to spiritual truths, and sometimes it takes effort to find the meaning.

If we seek for answers we can see, hear, feel, and understand

• Ears: We can listen and pay attention when spiritual truths are being taught.
• Hearts: We ca pray for the Holy Ghost to help us understand.
• Eyes: We can study and read the footnotes in the scriptures or look up answers in good books or internet sites.
• Mouth: We can ask questions like the apostles did.

Why do you think some people see, hear, and understand the Lord’s messages and others do not?

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13” How can you help your family members understand the importance of willingly receiving Christ’s word? To demonstrate “ears [that] are dull of hearing,” you might cover a family member’s ears while you quietly read Matthew 13:13–16. How much did that family member understand from the verses? What are ways that we can open our eyes, ears, and hearts to the word of God?

Heavenly Father wants me to choose the right.

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43, 47–48

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13” Some of Jesus’s parables teach that at the last day, God will separate the wicked from the righteous. How can you use the parables to inspire the children to choose the right?

Let the children act out the parable of the wheat and the tares (see Matthew 13:24–30). Explain that the wheat represents people who make righteous choices, and the tares (harmful weeds) represent people who do not. One day, Heavenly Father will gather the righteous people to live with Him.

Latter Day Kids “The Parable of the Sower” Lesson ideas

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 29: “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People”

Give the children some examples of right and wrong choices. Ask the children to say “wheat choice” when you describe a right choice and “tare choice” when you describe a wrong choice.

Fighting with siblings/ Sharing with siblings

Doing chores when asked/ Complaining about chores

Getting angry after losing a game/ Choosing to congratulate the winner

Choosing to tell the truth about breaking something/ Choosing to lie so you don’t get into trouble.

Choosing to make fun of someone/ Choosing to be kind

Friend February 2020

Bring pictures of stalks of wheat, and let the children draw on the pictures some ways they can be righteous.

I can choose the right even when those around me do not.

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13”

Invite the children to draw different scenes from the parable of the wheat and the tares, found in Matthew 13:24–30, and share their drawings with the class. Ask them to label their drawings using the interpretation of the parable found in Matthew 13:36–43. You may need to explain that tares are harmful weeds.

Lesson 17: The Parables of the Sower and the Wheat and Tares,” Primary 7: New Testament 

Sower	Jesus Christ and his Apostles
Good seed (wheat)	Followers of Jesus
Field	World
Enemy	Satan
Tares (weeds)	Followers of Satan
Reapers	Angels
Harvest	Jesus’ second coming

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13” The righteous must grow among the wicked until the end of the world. One way to analyze this parable is to draw a picture of it and label it with the interpretations in Matthew 13:36–43 and Doctrine and Covenants 86:1–7. A tare is a “poisonous weed, which, until it comes into ear, is similar in appearance to wheat” (Bible Dictionary, “Tares”). What truths in this parable inspire you to remain faithful in spite of the wickedness in the world?

If possible, display a picture of wheat and tares. Explain that the wheat and tares will grow together until the harvest (the end of the world). This teaches us that we live with both good and evil around us, and we must be careful to choose the right.

 Ask the children to share how they can tell the difference between good and evil.

12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

Moroni 7 

When a choice needs to be made, ask yourself, “Does it persaudeth men to do evil (from the devil) or does it inviteth to do good (from God).”

Read the situations below and ask the children to tell you what kind of reactions and thoughts would be from God, and what kind of reactions and thoughts would be from Satan.

•  Your friends have invited you to a movie. When you get there, you realize that it is not a good, wholesome one. Your friends decide to see it anyway.
• Someone wants you to try drugs, smoke, or drink alcoholic beverages, saying that using such things will make you feel good.
• Some of your friends won’t include you if you don’t swear with them.
• Someone tells you some gossip about a friend and suggests you pass it on.

• You break the cookie jar while getting some cookies. Your mother asks you what happened.
• Your friends invite you to go to the circus on Sunday after your church meetings are over.
• You don’t know an answer on a test at school. You promised your parents that you would try to get a good grade.
• You’re very tired and get into bed before remembering to pray.
• Your brother is being mean and teasing you.

My membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a treasure. (younger children)

Matthew 13:44–46

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13” How can you use the imagery of treasure and precious pearls to help the children understand the value of belonging to Christ’s Church?

What do the two men in these parables have in common? Are there additional things we should be doing as individuals and as a family to put the kingdom of God first in our lives?

Hide pictures of a treasure chest and a pearl in the room, and let the children find them. Use the pictures to teach about the parables in Matthew 13:44–46. Talk about why someone might give up everything they have for a beautiful pearl or a treasure in a field. Explain that sometimes we give up something good for something even better. Tell the children why the gospel is valuable to you.

Place in a box or chest several objects or pictures that represent “treasures” in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as the Savior, temples, or the Book of Mormon. Ask each child to choose an object or picture and talk about why it is a treasure.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 111-114”

Sing together “The Church of Jesus Christ” (Children’s Songbook, 77), and ask the children to talk about reasons they’re thankful for the Savior’s Church. Testify of the blessings you’ve experienced because of your membership in the Church.

My membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a treasure. (older children)

Matthew 13:44–46

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13” Do the children you teach see their membership in the Church as a valuable treasure? Perhaps discussing the parables in Matthew 13:44–46 can help them share their feelings about the Savior’s Church.

Invite the children to read Matthew 13:44–46 to themselves and share the parables in their own words with another class member.

Cut out several circles to represent coins, and put them in a treasure box. Invite the children to pick a coin and draw or write on it one thing they love about being a member of the Church. Ask the children to share what they put on their coin.

Friend April 2013 “Jesus Christ Restored His Church in the Latter Days”

Blessings of the gospel Activity: Read the clues below (not the answer) and let the children pick which picture it is describing.

• Prophet: Because of this blessing of the gospel we have the privilege to hear Gods words and direction about current issues and challenges we face. This gift is God’s living spokesman.
• Book of Mormon: Because of this blessing of the gospel we know the purpose of life. We also know what we need to do to gain eternal salvation and how to live happy lives.  
• Temples: This blessing of the gospel allows us the opportunity to receive saving ordinances for ourselves and our dead. We can also be sealed to our family so that we can be with them forever.
• Priesthood: Because of this blessing of the gospel we can receive healing blessings for the sick, blessings of comfort and guidance, and have authority to act in Gods name and perform saving ordinances, such as baptism.
• Baptism Because this blessing of the gospel, when performed by proper priesthood authority, we can receive a remission of our sins and enter into the gate that leads to eternal life.
• Holy Ghost Because of this blessing of the gospel we can receive personal revelation and guidance throughout our lives. We can also receive comfort during difficult times.

Invite a ward member to share his or her conversion story with the children and tell what he or she sacrificed to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Or ask the children to talk about sacrifices they make for the Lord and His Church.

Parable of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

Liahona March 2023 Come, Follow Me Family Fun

Growing, Growing, Every Day As members of Jesus Christ’s restored Church, we are responsible to help grow the kingdom of God on earth. Matthew 13:31–32 says:

“The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

“Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree.”

1. Sit in a circle and curl up small like a tiny mustard seed.
2. Have everyone take turns naming an activity they might do each day to help the Church grow (bear their testimony, share a scripture on social media, share a gospel truth with a friend, etc.).
3. Each time someone mentions an activity that helps the Church grow, everyone sits up a little straighter and then begins to stand up until they are standing tall.
4. Discuss with your family why it is important for each person to do his or her part to contribute to the Church’s growth.

News with Naylor’s “Week 12: Spiritual Growth (Parable of the Mustard Seed & Leaven Bread)”

Parables

Friend March 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Write Your Own Parable”

Jesus taught the gospel using stories called “parables.” One story He told was about how a tiny mustard seed can grow into a big tree (see Matthew 13:31–32). What was He teaching? What other parables did Jesus teach?

Song: “If I Listen with My Heart” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Activity: Parables can help us understand the gospel better. Write your own parable. Share your parable with family members or friends.

Friend March 2023 “Write a Parable”

Additional Resources

The Red Crystal

Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “Listen with Your Heart” Lesson ideas