Leader’s guide · 12 weeks

Leader’s guide: Talks to the Farmer (For Children)

Charles H. Spurgeon

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Using this guide with a class? See Ochorus for schools or homeschool families

Cover of Talks to the Farmer (For Children)

This guide walks a Sunday school class, homeschool group or family through “Talks to the Farmer (For Children)” in twelve weeks, one chapter a week. Each chapter takes one picture from the farming year — a weedy field, a sower, the first green shoot, sheep at shearing, the harvest — and shows what it teaches about God. It works for a small family around the table or a class of up to twenty, and is best for ages 6–12.

Each session takes about 30 minutes. Welcome everyone and say the memory verse together (3 minutes). Read the chapter aloud (5–7 minutes). Talk together using the chapter’s three questions (5–10 minutes). Do the activity (10 minutes). Close by praying the chapter’s prayer, or your own (2 minutes).

To prepare, read the chapter yourself beforehand and have paper, pencils and crayons ready; the activities use simple farm and nature ideas, and no real soil, seeds or plants are needed. A few chapters touch on sad or hard things — losing something we love, hard times, and going home to God at the end — so read them gently, let children say as much or as little as they want, and keep coming back to the book’s own comfort: God is the kind farmer who cares for every plant in his field.

Week 1 — The Sluggard's Field

King Solomon walks past a lazy man’s field and finds it covered in weeds and thistles. The man never planted a single weed; he simply did nothing, and a field never stays empty — if good plants are not grown, weeds come all by themselves. Our hearts are the same, so we should plant good seeds like a kind word or a little prayer today, not “tomorrow.” The big idea: doing good is something we start now, because doing nothing lets bad things grow on their own.

“I walked past a lazy man’s field, and it was full of weeds and thorns.” — from Proverbs 24

Memory verse

Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise.

Proverbs 6:6

Talk together

  1. What did King Solomon see when he walked past the lazy man’s field?

    A messy field full of prickly weeds and thistles, so thick you could hardly see the ground.

  2. The lazy man never planted any weeds. So why was his field full of them?

    Because he did nothing at all. He never pulled weeds or planted good seeds, and a field never stays empty — weeds grow all by themselves.

  3. What is one good seed you could plant in your heart today, instead of waiting until tomorrow?

    The chapter’s point: don’t say “I’ll be good tomorrow.” Plant a good seed today — a kind word or a little prayer — and let it grow.

Activity

Weed or Wheat?

You will need: Nothing

  1. Have everyone stand in a space with room to move: you are all a farmer’s field.
  2. Call out everyday things one at a time, such as “saying sorry,” “a kind word,” “a grumpy face,” “saying a prayer,” “saying ‘I’ll do it tomorrow.’”
  3. For a good seed, stretch up tall like wheat; for a weed, crouch low and wiggle your fingers like a thistle.
  4. After a few rounds, let children take turns calling out good seeds and weeds for the group to sort.
  5. Finish standing tall, and each say one good seed you will plant today.

Pray

Dear God, help me not to be lazy. Help me to plant good things in my heart today, and not wait until tomorrow. Amen.

Read chapter 1

Week 2 — The Broken Fence

Solomon looks again at the lazy man’s farm and sees that its stone wall has fallen down. Each time a stone fell out the man said, “I’ll fix it tomorrow,” so sheep and goats got in, weeds blew in and the rain washed the soil away. Our hearts have a wall too, made of saying our prayers, listening to those who teach us about God, and being brave enough to say “no” to wrong. The big idea: keep the wall strong, and if a stone falls out, just put one stone back.

“I walked past a lazy man’s field, and it was full of weeds, and its stone wall was broken down.” — from Proverbs 24

Memory verse

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

Talk together

  1. What was wrong with the wall around the lazy man’s field?

    It had fallen down and had big gaps in it, because every time a stone fell out he said, “I’ll fix it tomorrow.”

  2. What happened to the field once the wall was broken?

    Sheep and goats wandered in and ate the good plants, weeds blew in, and the hard rain washed the good soil away.

  3. What helps keep the “wall” around your heart strong?

    The chapter names saying your prayers, listening to people who teach you about God, and being brave enough to say “no” to wrong. If a stone falls out, just put one back.

Activity

My Strong Stone Wall

You will need: Paper and crayons or pencils

  1. Draw a little field in the middle of your paper with good plants growing in it.
  2. Draw a stone wall all the way around it, with big stones.
  3. In three of the stones write or draw the good things from the chapter: praying, listening to people who teach you about God, and saying “no” to wrong.
  4. Fill the other stones with good things of your own, then show your wall to a neighbour.

Pray

Dear God, help me keep the good wall around my heart. When a stone falls out, help me put it back straight away. Amen.

Read chapter 2

Week 3 — Frost and Thaw

On a frosty morning everything is hard and frozen, but a warm wind blows, the sun comes out, and the ice melts away — and the Bible says God sends both the frost and the warm wind. When we do wrong, our hearts can feel cold and sorry like frost, but when we tell God we are sorry, his love melts the sadness and he forgives us. Only God can melt a heart like that. The big idea: don’t stay frozen — tell God you are sorry, and he loves to forgive.

“He gives the snow. He sends his word, and melts it away.” — from Psalm 147

Memory verse

He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

Psalm 147:18

Talk together

  1. What happens to the frost when the warm wind blows and the sun comes out?

    In just a few hours all the ice and frost melt away into water, as if they were never there.

  2. Who sends the frost and the warm wind that melts it?

    God does. The chapter says both of them come from him.

  3. When you feel cold and sorry inside because of something you did, what can you do?

    The chapter’s point: don’t stay frozen — tell God you’re sorry. He loves to send his warm love to melt the sadness and forgive you.

Activity

Frozen and Melted

You will need: Nothing

  1. Explain the game: when you say “Frost!” everyone freezes stiff like ice, and when you say “Warm wind!” everyone slowly melts down to the floor.
  2. Play a few rounds, sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly, so everyone listens carefully.
  3. On the last round, after melting, have everyone stand up slowly and stretch out their arms like the sunshine.
  4. Say together, “God melts our hearts with his love,” then say the memory verse.

Pray

Dear God, when my heart feels cold and sorry, please send your warm love to melt it, and forgive me. Amen.

Read chapter 3

Week 4 — The Grain That Grows

One seed kept safe in a jar stays one seed forever, but a seed planted in the ground splits open and grows into a tall plant with many new seeds. Jesus said he was like that seed: he gave his life, and because he did, many, many people can have new life with God. We can be like that too: holding everything for ourselves keeps us small, but giving and sharing makes our lives grow. Jesus giving his life is told very gently here; keep it as simple as the chapter does. The big idea: giving is not losing — giving is how good things grow.

“Unless a seed falls into the ground, it stays just one seed. But if it does, it grows into much more.” — from John 12

Memory verse

Most assuredly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

John 12:24

Talk together

  1. If you kept one seed safe in a jar, how many seeds would you have after a year?

    Still just one. It would stay one lonely little seed forever.

  2. Why did the seed planted in the ground become many seeds?

    Because it was planted. It split open and changed, and up grew a tall plant with lots of new seeds.

  3. What is one way you could give or share this week?

    The chapter’s point: holding everything for yourself keeps you small like a seed in a jar, but giving and sharing helps good things grow. “Giving is not losing.”

Activity

One Seed, Many Seeds

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold your paper in half.
  2. On one side, draw a jar on a shelf with just one lonely seed inside it.
  3. On the other side, draw a seed in the ground growing up into a tall plant covered with lots of new seeds.
  4. Next to some of the new seeds, write or draw a way you could give or share this week.
  5. Write “Giving is not losing” across the bottom.

Pray

Dear God, thank you for Jesus, who gave his life for me. Help me to give and share, so good things can grow. Amen.

Read chapter 4

Week 5 — The Sower

Jesus tells of a farmer scattering seed: some falls on the hard path and the birds eat it, some on rocky ground and dries up, some among thorns and gets crowded out, and some on good soil and grows into a big harvest. The seed is God’s word, and the kinds of ground are like kinds of hearts. Even hard ground can be dug up and made soft, and God will get our hearts ready if we ask him. The big idea: ask God to make your heart like good soil, ready to listen and grow.

“A farmer went out to plant his seeds.” — from Luke 8

Memory verse

That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Luke 8:15

Talk together

  1. What happened to the seeds that fell on the hard path?

    The path was too hard for them to sink in, so the birds swooped down and ate them all up.

  2. What happened to the seeds that fell on good, soft soil?

    They grew down deep and up tall and made lots and lots of new grain — a big harvest.

  3. Which kind of ground would you like your heart to be, and how can it get ready?

    The chapter’s point: the seed is God’s word, and even hard ground can be made soft. If we ask him, God will get our hearts ready so his word can grow.

Activity

The Sower’s Seeds with Actions

You will need: Nothing

  1. Teach an action for each place the seeds land: flapping arms for the birds on the hard path, fanning your face for the hot sun on rocky ground, squeezing in tight for the crowding weeds, and growing up tall for the good soil.
  2. Retell the story slowly while everyone does the actions at the right moment.
  3. Tell it a second time and let the children call out what happens next before they do each action.
  4. Finish with everyone growing up tall, and pray together, “God, make my heart good soil.”

Pray

Dear God, please make my heart like the good soil, ready to listen to you and grow. Amen.

Read chapter 5

Week 6 — Spring in the Heart

After winter the ground looks bare, but in spring a tiny green shoot pushes up through the soil — so small you could step on it, but alive, and the beginning of a whole field of wheat. Loving God can start small like that, with a little prayer or a little faith, and God sees it and is very happy. A good farmer never stamps on a little shoot but waters it and helps it grow, and that is what God does with us. The big idea: no love for God is too small to count, and God helps it grow.

“You take care of the earth and water it. You bless the little plants that grow.” — from Psalm 65

Memory verse

You drench its furrows. You level its ridges. You soften it with showers. You bless it with a crop.

Psalm 65:10

Talk together

  1. What tiny thing can you see in the field when spring comes?

    A tiny green shoot pushing up through the cold, hard soil — the very beginning of a whole field of wheat.

  2. What does a good farmer do with a little shoot that isn’t a big plant yet?

    He doesn’t stamp on it. He takes care of it and waters it and helps it grow.

  3. Do you ever feel your love for God is too small to count?

    The chapter’s point: even a little prayer or a little belief matters and makes God happy. The tallest wheat started as one tiny shoot, and God helps it grow.

Activity

From Shoot to Wheat

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold your paper in half and then in half again, then open it to show four boxes.
  2. In the first box draw brown, bare winter ground; in the second, one tiny green shoot poking up.
  3. In the third box draw the plant growing taller, with the sun shining and rain falling on it.
  4. In the fourth box draw tall golden wheat, and write underneath, “God helps me grow.”

Pray

Dear God, thank you that even my smallest love for you matters. Please help it grow bigger and stronger. Amen.

Read chapter 6

Week 7 — Sheep Before the Shearers

Once a year the farmer shears his sheep’s heavy wool so they stay cool in summer. A wise sheep lies still and is never hurt; it is the kicking and wriggling that hurts, not the shears. Sometimes God takes away something we love, but he chooses the right time, he always has something good to give, like wool growing back, and it hurts least when we stay still and trust him — as Jesus stayed quiet and gentle when people were unkind to him. Some children may think of real losses; let them share only if they want to. The big idea: when hard things happen, we can be still and trust God, because he loves us.

“He was quiet, like a little sheep.” — from Isaiah 53

Memory verse

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

Talk together

  1. Why does the farmer shear the sheep’s wool once a year?

    So the sheep will be cool and comfy in the warm summer without its heavy coat.

  2. Why does the wise sheep lie still while it is being sheared?

    Because if it stays still, the shears never hurt it. The wriggling and kicking is what hurts, not the shears.

  3. When something sad happens and you lose something you love, what can you remember?

    The chapter’s point: God knows the right time, the wool always grows back, and it hurts least when we stay still and trust him — like Jesus, who stayed quiet and gentle.

Activity

Still as a Sheep

You will need: Nothing

  1. Have everyone sit or lie down comfortably, like sheep at shearing time.
  2. Challenge the group to stay completely still and quiet for thirty seconds while you walk quietly around; then try a whole minute.
  3. Ask: was it easy or hard to stay still? Talk about how the wise sheep stays still because it trusts the farmer.
  4. Stay still once more while you slowly say the memory verse, then have everyone say it together in a whisper.

Pray

Dear God, when something makes me sad, help me stay still and trust you, because I know you love me. Amen.

Read chapter 7

Week 8 — In the Hayfield

Grass grows everywhere and we hardly notice it, but God makes every blade grow, and he grows it for the cows and sheep, who cannot even say thank you. Every blade gets its own drop of dew in the morning, which shows how carefully God gives each thing what it needs. If God takes such care of grass and animals, how much more does he care for us. The big idea: God sees you, knows what you need and has never once forgotten you.

“He makes the grass grow for the animals.” — from Psalm 104

Memory verse

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food out of the earth.

Psalm 104:14

Talk together

  1. Who makes the grass grow?

    God does. The chapter says it doesn’t really grow by itself — God makes every single blade grow.

  2. Who does God grow the grass for?

    For the animals — the cows and the sheep — so they will have plenty to eat, even though they can’t say thank you.

  3. If God gives every blade of grass its own drop of dew, what does that tell you about how he cares for you?

    The chapter’s point: if God takes such good care of grass and animals, how much more does he care for you. He sees you and has never forgotten you.

Activity

God Takes Care Of…

You will need: Nothing

  1. Sit in a circle.
  2. Start by saying, “God takes care of the grass.”
  3. The next person repeats it and adds one more thing, such as “God takes care of the grass and the cows.”
  4. Keep going round, each person repeating the list and adding one thing, and help anyone who gets stuck.
  5. When the list is long, finish all together with, “…and God takes care of me!”

Pray

Dear God, thank you for taking care of even the grass. Thank you for taking care of me. Amen.

Read chapter 8

Week 9 — The Joy of Harvest

All summer the farmer plants, weeds and waits, and at last comes harvest: the grain is gathered, the barn is full and everyone celebrates with a feast. The Bible says God’s people have happy times like harvest, and the happiest is when someone comes to love God; Spurgeon said helping one person know Jesus made him happier than all the treasure in the world. A farmer’s rule is worth knowing: you grow what you plant. The big idea: plant kindness, prayers and love for God now, and God will grow a happy harvest.

“They are as happy as people are at harvest time.” — from Isaiah 9

Memory verse

Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9

Talk together

  1. What happens on harvest day when the farmer’s work is done?

    Everyone helps gather the golden grain, the barn fills up, and there is a big, happy harvest feast.

  2. What did Spurgeon say was the happiest day of his whole life?

    The day he helped just one person come to know Jesus. He was happier than if he’d been given all the treasure in the world.

  3. What good things could you plant in your life today?

    The chapter’s point: you grow what you plant. Planting kindness, prayers and love for God now leads to a wonderful, happy harvest.

Activity

My Seed Packet

You will need: Paper and crayons or pencils

  1. Fold your paper in half to make a seed packet.
  2. On the front, write the name of a good thing to plant, such as “Kindness Seeds” or “Prayer Seeds,” and decorate it.
  3. On the inside, draw what it will grow into, like a happy friend, a helped neighbour or a heart full of love for God.
  4. On the back, write “Planting instructions”: one thing you will do this week to plant it.
  5. Show your packet to a neighbour and take it home.

Pray

Dear God, help me to plant good and kind things every day, and thank you for the happy harvest you are growing in me. Amen.

Read chapter 9

Week 10 — Gleaning

Ruth was poor, so she gleaned, bending again and again to pick up the bits of grain the workers dropped. Boaz, who owned the field, quietly told his workers to drop extra grain on purpose where she would find it and to be kind to her, and he never told her he had done it. God is like kind Boaz: he has many good things for us, and we gather them by coming to him, listening and praying; and like Ruth, who took food home to share, we can share God’s gifts with others. The big idea: God is generous to us, so we can be generous too.

“Let her gather grain, and be kind to her.” — from the story of Ruth

Memory verse

Also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and don’t rebuke her.

Ruth 2:16

Talk together

  1. What did Ruth do in the fields to get food?

    She gleaned — walking behind the workers and picking up the little bits of grain they dropped.

  2. What kind thing did Boaz do for Ruth?

    He told his workers to drop extra grain on purpose where she could find it and to be kind to her — and he never told her he’d done it.

  3. How can you “gather” God’s good gifts, and who could you share them with?

    The chapter’s point: God is kind like Boaz. We gather by coming to him, listening and praying — and, like Ruth taking food home, we can share his good gifts with others.

Activity

Gathering Grain for Ruth

You will need: Small torn scraps of paper prepared by the leader, and a pencil

  1. Before the session, tear paper into small “grains” (at least two per child) and write a kind or encouraging word on each, such as “You are loved” or “God sees you.”
  2. While the children wait outside the room or close their eyes, scatter the grains around the room, “dropped on purpose,” like Boaz’s workers did.
  3. Let everyone gently gather grains until each child has at least two.
  4. Read your grains, then give one away to someone else in the group, just as Ruth shared what she gathered.

Pray

Dear God, thank you for being so kind and generous to me. Help me to come to you, and to share your good gifts with others. Amen.

Read chapter 10

Week 11 — Threshing

Each grain of wheat is stuck inside a hard husk, so the farmer beats it with a stick to set the good grain free; this is threshing, and it is not unkind. Hard or sad times can feel a little like that, but the farmer only threshes the good grain, never the weeds, so a hard time does not mean God has forgotten us; and he never beats the grain forever, so hard times do not last forever either. Some children may be in a hard time now; reassure them, and don’t ask anyone to name their troubles aloud. The big idea: in hard times we are still precious to God, and the hard times will end.

“He does not beat the grain forever.” — from Isaiah 28

Memory verse

For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

Psalm 9:18

Talk together

  1. Why does the farmer beat the wheat with a stick?

    To set the good grain free from the hard, useless shell (the husk) stuck around it. This is called threshing.

  2. Does the farmer thresh the weeds too?

    No. He only bothers to thresh the good grain and leaves the weeds alone.

  3. When a hard or sad time comes, what two things can help you feel better?

    The chapter’s two comforts: a hard time doesn’t mean God has forgotten you — you are precious, like good wheat — and it won’t last forever, because the farmer always stops.

Activity

Precious Grain Card

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Clap together “bang, bang, bang” like the farmer threshing, then stop suddenly and say, “The farmer always stops!” Do this two or three times.
  2. Fold a sheet of paper in half to make a card.
  3. On the front, draw a tall, golden ear of wheat full of grains.
  4. Inside, write “I am precious to God, and hard times don’t last forever.”
  5. Take the card home and keep it somewhere you will see it on a hard day.

Pray

Dear God, when hard things happen, help me remember that you have not forgotten me, and that it will not last forever. Amen.

Read chapter 11

Week 12 — Wheat in the Barn

The very last part of the harvest is the happiest: the good wheat is carried safely into the barn, where no rain, frost or wind can hurt it. Jesus said one day God will gather all his people from every country, big and small, young and old, safely home to be with him in heaven, where there is no more crying or sadness. For everyone who loves God, the end is not something to fear; it is going home, and anyone can tell God they want to belong to him. Some children may think of someone who has died; answer gently, and let them share only if they wish. The big idea: God gathers his people safely home, and we can belong to him.

“Gather the wheat into my barn.” — from Matthew 13

Memory verse

In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.

John 14:2

Talk together

  1. Where does the farmer put the good wheat when it is ready?

    He carries it safely inside the barn, where no rain, frost or cold wind can hurt it.

  2. In Jesus’ story, who will God gather together like wheat into the barn?

    All his people, from every country — big and small, young and old — brought safely home to be with him.

  3. Why don’t people who love God need to be afraid of the end?

    The chapter’s point: for everyone who loves God, the end is like the wheat coming into the barn — it is going home to heaven, safe forever. Anyone can tell God they want to belong to him.

Activity

Everyone in the Barn

You will need: A large sheet of paper (or several sheets laid side by side) and crayons

  1. Draw a big, warm barn on the large sheet together, with the doors wide open.
  2. Have each child draw a bundle of golden wheat inside the barn and write their name on it.
  3. Add more wheat bundles for people from all over the world, big and small, young and old.
  4. Write “Gathered safely home” across the top, and pray together, thanking God that his people belong to him.

Pray

Dear God, thank you that you gather your people safely home. I want to belong to you. Please keep me close, today and forever. Amen.

Read chapter 12