Free Sunday School lesson · Ages 2–12

The Sower and Receiving the Word

Mark 4:1-20 (KJV)

This free Sunday School lesson teaches Mark 4, where Jesus tells the parable of the sower and then explains to His disciples what each kind of ground means. It is written for ages 2 to 12, and children learn what the seed is, what happened on each ground, and what Jesus said the ground stands for. Each age group gets six printable activities.

Everything here is free to download, print and copy for your class. Open to everyone.

Ages 2–4 Ages 5–6 Ages 7–9 Ages 10–12 Teacher guide

Sunday School lesson

This lesson at a glance

Bible passage
Mark 4:1-20
Ages
2 to 12, in four age groups
What is included
Six activity sheets for each age group and one Teacher Notes and Answer Keys guide
Memory verse
Mark 4:14 (KJV)
Format
US Letter PDFs, print-ready, black and white
Access
Open to everyone. Free to print and copy for your class

What children learn

Children learn that this is a parable Jesus told, that the sower soweth the word, and that Jesus explained all four soils Himself, including the good ground, which is such as hear the word, and receive it. No child is labelled as any kind of ground.

The printables in this lesson

Each age group has six different activities, chosen for what a child of that age can do. Read any one on screen before you print it.

Ages 2–4 All ages 2–4 resources

coloring page Ages 2–4

Color the picture. Listen and tell.

Memory verse: Mark 4:14 (KJV)

Free PDF (231 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Find the same picture in each row. Circle it.

Free PDF (193 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Listen to each clue. Circle a picture.

Free PDF (142 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Cut with a helper. Turn over. Find the pairs.

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (132 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Color. Draw inside. Fold and tell.

Adult help with folding and scissors.

Free PDF (149 KB)

drawing activity Ages 2–4

Draw in the big space. Tell the Bible connection.

Free PDF (57 KB)

Ages 5–6 All ages 5–6 resources

early learner activity Ages 5–6

Look carefully. Find. Tell. Explain.

Memory verse: Mark 4:14 (KJV)

Free PDF (244 KB)

comprehension worksheet Ages 5–6

Read with a helper. Circle one answer per picture.

Free PDF (142 KB)

drawing activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Draw both pictures. Tell what changed.

Free PDF (65 KB)

Scripture memory activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Fill one word. Cut the bookmarks.

Memory verse: Mark 4:14 (KJV)

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (69 KB)

early learner activity Ages 5–6

Cut. Find the pairs. Explain each Bible picture.

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (132 KB)

drawing activity Ages 5–6

Draw. Point. Explain your Bible connection.

Free PDF (57 KB)

Ages 7–9 All ages 7–9 resources

word puzzle Ages 7–9

Read the clues. Unscramble. Use the passage.

Free PDF (55 KB)

Scripture memory activity Ages 7–9

Read. Recall the missing words. Locate the verse.

Memory verse: Mark 4:14 (KJV)

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (89 KB)

drawing activity Ages 7–9

Read the verses. Draw before and after. Explain.

Free PDF (65 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 7–9

Find each reference. Record the fact you discover.

Free PDF (55 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 7–9

Read the references. Record answers. Explain a connection.

Free PDF (54 KB)

comprehension worksheet Ages 7–9

Read. Look at the reminders. Explain the Bible lesson.

Free PDF (142 KB)

Ages 10–12 All ages 10–12 resources

word puzzle Ages 10–12

Decode the phrase. Investigate its Scripture setting.

Free PDF (91 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read the references. Write discoveries beside the pictures.

Free PDF (106 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read. Record the facts. Explain how they connect.

Free PDF (54 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Find each word. Explain its meaning in this passage.

Free PDF (54 KB)

sequencing activity Ages 10–12

Read. Draw three discoveries. Explain your choices.

Free PDF (34 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read the Scripture. Explain and plan a practical response.

Free PDF (142 KB)

Teacher Notes & Answer Keys

One guide for all four age groups: the lesson objective, teaching guidance, a verified answer for every sheet above, the meaning of the King James words the sheets use, and preparation and safety notes. Each entry names the sheet it answers.

printable All Ages

8 pages

Free PDF (69 KB)

Before you teach it

Label the farmer, seeds and growth as parable illustrations. Do not identify the illustrated farmer as Jesus literally sowing a field. The grain and leaf are broad reminders, not a botanical claim. Explain every soil for older children; do not label particular children as bad soil or compare their worth by numbers of fruit. Pictures are visual reminders; species, clothing, exact shapes and small scene details are reconstructions unless the passage states them. Offer pointing, oral answers or a scribe. Supervise all cutting. Read the cited verses before using the activities.

Teaching at home during the week as well? Faith Schooling publishes a K–5 curriculum for reading, mathematics, and language and writing. The placement check is free.

Week 27

Jesus Teaches Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13 Children learn the prayer Jesus gave, beginning Our Father which art in heaven, and that prayer is spoken to the one God rather than performed for people to see. It is instruction in prayer, and the lesson does not present it in place of the gospel response in Acts 2:38. Open the lesson →

Activities: 2–4 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer 5–6 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer 7–9 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer 10–12 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer

See every Sunday School lesson

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