Based on the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4, 1-20
Props: Four chairs. Each has a piece of paper taped to the back, with a simple picture illustrating one of the four parts of the parable: birds pecking at seeds, sun shining and wilting plants, seedlings surrounded by weeds, plants growing healthily. There is a different hat on each chair.
Actors:
- The narrator (also the Sower of the Seed), whom we will call Algernon, since it makes people smile
- The Dirt, whom we will call Mary, since it’s rather rude to actually call someone Dirt, and they tend to get upset
- A person in need, whom we will call Fred, for no particular reason except I like the name.
Mary and Fred should make suitable faces and gestures when they are referred to.
The Parable of the Sower
Algernon: If you want to learn something, you have to do three things: (1) listen to the teacher, (2) stop doing what you’re doing, and (3) do what the teacher says instead. Right? So, when you were little, you ate with your fingers because you didn’t know how to eat with a knife and fork. But then you (1) listened to your mom or your dad, who said, Let me help you teach you how to eat with a knife and fork, (2) you tried to stop eating with your fingers, and (3) you began to eat with a knife and fork like a grown-up. At least, I hope you did!
Now, Jesus is a teacher—the best teacher. And he wants to teach us how to live a good life, so that together we can make the world the kind of wonderful place God wants it to be. So that means those same three things: (1) listening to the teacher—Jesus (2) stopping doing the things the way we’re doing them, and (3) doing things Jesus’ way. In other words, ALWAYS DO WHAT JESUS SAYS! [Everybody repeat it, perhaps twice.] Remember that, because I’ll ask you to say it at the end. But the things Jesus tells us to do are not always easy!
Now Jesus knows it’s difficult for us to change, so he told us a story to help us learn:
Mark 4: 3 “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” 9 And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
So what’s that about? Well, the seed is something Jesus told us to do. And tonight, I’m the sower, passing on Jesus’ message. Here [gestures towards Mary] is the dirt where I am sowing the seed, except that we’ll call her Mary instead of Dirt. And she’s learning to follow Jesus. Finally, here’s Fred, who’s really hurt himself [Fred can be nursing his knee, or some other body part]. Mary wouldn’t normally play with Fred, and she’s not even sure she likes him.
So here’s the first thing that happens to the seed:
- “Some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up”
[Mary sits on the first chair, reading a book, wearing a hat.]
Algernon: Mary, do you know Jesus said we should be kind to people, and help them, even if we don’t usually play with them or even especially like them?
Mary: Uh, that’s great, Algernon. [Goes back to book]
Algernon: Um, Mary, I think Fred needs your help.
Mary: Uh, sure, whatever, Algernon.
Algernon: Did Mary learn anything from Jesus? No! The seed was snatched away straight away. In her case, the birds of the air looked remarkably like a book!
[Mary moves to second chair, puts on new hat.]
- “Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away.”
Let’s see what happens to the seed this time . . .
Algernon: Mary, do you know Jesus said we should be kind to people, and help them, even if we don’t usually play with them or even especially like them?
Mary [cheerfully]: Wow, that’s great. That would really make the world a better place, wouldn’t it? I’d love to do that.
Algernon: Well, I think Fred could use your help.
Mary: Great. Don’t worry, Fred, I’m coming! [Begins to help him up, but then:] Wow, Fred, you’re heavy. I’m not sure I can do this. I’m feeling kind of tired. Maybe someone else will come by and help you. Sorry. [Goes and sits down again.]
Algernon: So Mary started to do what Jesus said, but she found it difficult and got tired and just gave up. That’s like the plant that grew up, but it didn’t have deep roots so it wilted and died. (Have you ever had that happen to plants you tried to grow?)
[Mary moves to third chair, puts on third hat.]
- “Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.”
Let’s see what happens to the seed this time . . .
Algernon: Mary, do you know Jesus said we should be kind to people, and help them, even if we don’t usually play with them or even especially like them?
Mary [cheerfully]: Wow, that’s great. That would really make the world the kind of place God wants it to be. I’d love to do that.
Algernon: Well, here’s your chance: I think Fred could use your help.
Mary: Great. Don’t worry, Fred, I’m coming! [Begins to help him up, but then:] Oh, wait a minute. I just got a text, and I’d better check it. Oh, and while I’m on line I’ll just update my facebook status and say I’m helping you. Oh, and why don’t I check my email. And then there’s my to-do list . . . [Forgets all about Fred, and goes to sit down.]
Algernon: So Mary started to help Fred, but she got so busy with other things she never got round to doing what Jesus said. That’s like the plant that was surrounded by thistles and weeds, which took all the light and the moisture, so it just wilted and died.
[Mary moves to fourth chair, puts on fourth hat.]
- “Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
Let’s see what happens to the seed this time . . .
Algernon: Mary, do you know Jesus said we should be kind to people, and help them, even if we don’t usually play with them or even especially like them?
Mary [brightly]: Wow, I didn’t know that. But I can see how great that would be, kinda like God’s kingdom come on earth. I’d love to do that.
Algernon: Well, here’s your chance: I think Fred could use your help.
Mary: Great. Don’t worry, Fred, I’m coming! [Helps Fred up, takes him off to get medical help, etc.]
Algernon: So Mary listened to Jesus’ teaching: she changed the way she used to do things, and she started to do things Jesus’ new way. That’s like the seed that grew big and strong.
And the moral of this story is [all together]: ALWAYS DO WHAT JESUS SAYS!
Messy Church, April 2015