5 Scriptures That Will Grow Your Child (and a Garden)
Updated: Jun 21, 2023
Teach your child God's Word in a fun, interactive, and meaningful way. They'll get messy by learning the message and you'll get memories that will last a lifetime. Who's ready?!
As a parent, I strive to integrate God's teachings into my child's daily life, whether it be through discussing what they learned at school, playing games together, or taking walks. Deuteronomy 6:7 emphasizes the importance of teachings God's word to children consistently, whether at home or on the go. While it can be difficult for kids to comprehend the vastness of God, one way I've found to make God's teachings more hands-on and tangible is through gardening. It really helps my child connect with nature and understand how amazing God is.
Don't worry if you don't have a green thumb, you can start with something easy. Herbs like mint, basil, sage, and thyme are all hearty plants that can withstand the novice gardener. Of course, plants that yield a crop are always fun for your child(ren) like: tomatoes, green beans, and snacking peppers. A quick Google search can tell you what grows well in your area.
Materials
Pot OR Section of yard/dirt Soil Plant
Equipment
Shovel
Step 1: Tilling - Proverbs 12:11 (NIV)
11"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense." Proverbs 12:11 (NIV)
As you break up the grass or pour the potting soil, emphasize the significance of working hard and utilizing time wisely.
Step 2: Planting the Seeds - Luke 8: 5-8, 11-15 (NIV)
5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” Luke 8: 5-8, 11-15
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." Luke 8: 5-8, 11-15
As you dig holes, place seeds, and cover them with dirt, have a conversation with your child about the significance of learning, memorizing, and sharing God's word.
Step 3 - Watering (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)
6 "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
Use this step to talk to your children about how God uses His children for His will; reminding them that God is the one in complete control, and He is the ultimate gardener.
Step 4 - Pruning (John 15:2)
2 "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2
Among the five scriptures in this blog post, this is my favorite because it draws a clear connection between gardening and living a life with Jesus. This particular scripture uses a dead branch to illustrate that without hard work, reading scripture, and a relationship with Jesus, our lives will be barren. However, if we firmly root ourselves in Jesus and prune away the useless aspects of our lives, we can become even more fruitful.
Step 5 - Reaping the Harvest (Galatians 6: 7-8)
6"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6: 7-8
As you start to see the fruits of your labor, use the plant journal to track the plant's progress (see the last paragraph to get yours!) This is a great time to remind your child of all of the focus and time you have given the plant(s). Because of this, their plant is growing. The same goes for us, when we keep our focus on God, our spirit gets stronger and our relationship with God grows.
There you have it!
I encourage you to keep Deuteronomy 6:7 close to your heart. This way, when your child brings up a topic, you can easily relate it back to Jesus until it becomes habitual. If you're interested in a FREE printable Plant Journal for your little one to track the plant's progress, leave a comment below.
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