Dried corn/corn stalks OR pumpkins and cutting knife
(Optional) Other Fall items that have seeds
Containers to put the seeds in (Egg cartons make great containers)
Paper and Pens/Pencils
(Optional) Small prizes for the fastest counting team and the team with the most seeds
Activity
Gather your family or a group of children and have a race to see which group can pull the corn seeds off the cob or pick the seeds out of the pumpkins the fastest. Then see which group has the most seeds. The children could count their seeds in groups of ten to make it easier for younger children.
Discussion Points
Talking Points if using Corn: When you plant one corn seed in the ground, how many ears of corn does that one seed produce? (Answer: One or two). Let’s say that one corn seed produces two ears of corn. If each ear had _________ kernels (the number of the seeds you counted from one ear of corn), how many corn kernels would you have for next year’s planting (Answer equals the number of kernels X 2)? Can you imagine all that corn from just one seed!? That’s a lot of popcorn! Isn’t it amazing how God multiplies and provides for us!? From just one seed, you get much fruit and many more seeds to plant next year.
Talking Points if using Pumpkins: When you plant one pumpkin seed, how many pumpkins could grow on a vine? (Answer: Generally 2-5) Let’s say that one pumpkin seed gives you five pumpkins. If each pumpkin had ______________ seeds in them (the number of the seeds you counted from one pumpkin), how many pumpkin seeds could you plant the following year from one pumpkin vine? (Answer equals the number of pumpkin seeds X 5). Wow! That’s a lot of pumpkins for pumpkin pie! Isn’t it amazing how God multiplies and provides for us!? From just one seed, you get much fruit and many more seeds to plant next year.
Education (Learning in school or learning a trade/skill)
Memorizing/studying God's Word about multiplication (like Matthew 13:1-23 or 25:14-30)
Discussion Topics: You often reap more than you sow. Talk to kids about...
Money Investment - Maybe someone has given them a savings bond as a baby and you can discuss how that bond is accumulating value/interest as time goes by; you could also talk about opening a bank account and accumulating interest.
Gratefulness - Have the kids write out a Grateful List to see if the kids can get to 100 things in one week or, for a challenge, have the kids write 100 different things every day for a week!
You always reap later than you sow. Talk to kids about...
Perseverance - Sometimes school can be a challenge, but as you preserver and learn you will look back and see how much you have learned and how one thing has built on another.
Past Successes! - Is there something that is easy for you now, but was hard when you first started? (Ex: Playing an instrument or sport). That is an example of being diligent to practice and reaping the benefits later than you sowed.
Good Friendships - Sowing good seeds in friendships bring blessing (Proverbs 17:17) but sowing bad seeds brings hardship and negative consequences (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Good Deeds - Sometimes it may seem like you are the only one doing what is right or that no one see what you are doing, or some people may even be opposed or persecute you for doing the right things. But we shouldn't become weary in doing good because we will reap a harvest at the proper time if we don't give up! (Galatians 6:9)
Good Character - You might not see a difference tomorrow, but as you sow godly character in your life you will see a difference throughout your life.
Sharing their Faith - Sometimes when you are witnessing to someone, you do not see the effects of the seeds you have planted right away. Be patient and don’t give up! (1 Corinthians 3:6)
You always reap the same kind of produce as you sow. Talk to your kids about...
Wise Spending - If you want to buy something from the store (like a new toy or game) but you don’t want to work for it or you spend all your money on something else, you won’t be able to get what you want. Foolish spending results in empty-handedness but diligent saving results in blessing and security (Proverbs 31:10-30, Proverbs 6:6-11)
Diligence - If you think that you can be lazy at school but get good grades, that’s not true. Good grade/success come from hard work (Proverbs 31:10-30, Proverbs 6:6-11).
Nature, Genetics, DNA - Living things (man, animals, plants, etc.) only reproduces after their kind, just as God intended (Genesis 1:11, 22, 24, 28).
What you reap, from what you sow, can be used to benefit yourself, bless others, or continue the multiplication process. Talk to your kids about...
Trials - Have you ever gone through a hard time but learned a good lesson? God wants us to use the comfort we receive from him in hard times to comfort other people (2 Corinthians 1:4). VIEW RESOURCES ON TRIALS
Thankfulness - Write a “Thank you” note to someone who has invested in your life.
Gospel - Have you believed in Jesus as your Savior? Who told you about Jesus? You can tell others about him, just like someone told you! (2 Timothy 2:2) Who is someone you could tell about Jesus? (Matthew 28:19-20) VIEW GOSPEL RESOURCES
Blessings Others -
What have you learned about God? What have you learned in school? You can pass on what you have learned to others. Maybe you can read a book to a younger child or tell them accounts from the Bible.
Have you reaped the ability to play a musical instrument or the ability to draw? You can use that skill to bless others by performing or producing something for them, or by teaching them how to do that same thing.
How have/can your actions bless your family, friends, neighbors, church family, community, etc.?
How have other people's actions (good and bad) affected you and your family (both good and bad)?