Exploring Growing with God with Kids

Helping children discover what the Bible teaches about seeds, roots, fruit, and growing in their relationship with God.

Have you ever planted a seed with a child?

You tuck it into the soil, add a little water, and wait.

And wait.

And wait some more!

Sometimes children want to dig the seed back up just to see if anything is happening. But beneath the soil, where we can’t see it, something wonderful may already be taking place.

The Bible uses seeds, trees, roots, and fruit to help us understand some important truths about God and our relationship with Him.

So grab your Bible, and let’s explore what it means to grow!

God Gives the Increase: Something I Noticed in Scripture

I was reading 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 when something caught my attention.

Paul writes:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)

Planted. Watered. Increased.

Three little words that tell us something important.

Paul planted. Apollos watered.

But who gave the increase?

God!

Paul wasn’t actually talking about gardening. He was explaining how different people had served in sharing and teaching God’s Word, while God was responsible for the growth.

And that made me think about some other passages.

In John 15:5, Jesus says:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (KJV)

Did you notice the connection?

A branch doesn’t produce fruit by separating itself from the vine. It needs to remain connected.

And in Psalm 1:1–3, we’re given another picture: a tree planted by rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in its season.

Seeds. Roots. Branches. Fruit.

Throughout Scripture, God uses things we can see growing around us to help us understand truths we can’t always see.

And there’s something else worth noticing. In Galatians 5:22–23, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

These aren’t apples or oranges!

They’re qualities produced by the Spirit in the lives of those who belong to Christ. So when we talk with children about growing in God, we can help them discover something important:

Growing isn’t simply about doing more. It’s about depending on God and remaining in Christ.

Helping Kids Explore Growing with God

Here’s a simple way to investigate this together.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:6–7.

Ask your children:

• What did Paul do?

• What did Apollos do?

• Who gave the increase?

• What do you think Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand?

Explain that Paul was using planting and watering as a picture of people’s work in sharing God’s Word.

Now read John 15:4–5.

Ask:

• What does Jesus call Himself?

• What does He call His followers?

• What happens when a branch is separated from the vine?

• What does Jesus teach us about remaining in Him?

You might also read Psalm 1:1–3 and look for what makes the tree’s location important.

A Seed and a Scripture Discovery

Gather a few seeds, some soil, a clear container, and water.

Let your children plant the seeds and place the container where it can receive the light and warmth the seeds need.

Over the next several days, observe what happens.

Ask:

• What did we do to help the seed grow?

• Can we make the seed sprout just by telling it to?

• What changes can we see?

• What might be happening that we can’t see yet?

As you observe the seeds, return to 1 Corinthians 3:6–7.

Talk about how Paul used planting and watering to help explain something about God’s work. Then read John 15:5 again and discuss why Jesus tells His followers to remain in Him.

You could keep a simple drawing journal of the changes you notice in your plants. And when the first little green shoot appears, remember:

God gives the increase!