Joyful Moments in Christ

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 8:4-21

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 8:4-21 - Hearing and Obeying God’s Word

Hearing and Obeying God’s Word

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

God calls us to listen carefully to his word, obey it with faith, and live as part of his family.

Lesson Objectives

  1. Students will understand that God’s word is living and powerful, like a seed that grows.
  2. Students will see that God’s word is meant to shine like a light for others.
  3. Students will learn that those who hear and obey God’s word are part of his family.
  4. Students will be encouraged to respond to God’s word with faith and obedience.

Class Setting Notes

  1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
  2. Lesson length: 45-60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

  1. Bring a small plant (or a packet of seeds) and a flashlight.
  2. Ask the students: What helps a seed grow strong? (sunlight, water, good soil, care).
  3. Then ask: What helps you see in the dark? (a flashlight, lamp, nightlight).
  4. Point out that just like plants need light and care, we need God’s word to grow and to guide us.

This activity helps introduce the importance of hearing, obeying, and sharing God’s word.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 8:4-21 aloud together or have one person read it.

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation: A Comparison of 7 Versions

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

  1. Listen for what happens to the seeds in the story.
  2. Notice what Jesus says about a lamp and light.
  3. Think about how Jesus describes his true family.

Teacher Background Notes

  1. Jesus often taught in parables, using everyday images to reveal spiritual truths about the kingdom of God.
  2. The parable of the sower shows that the word of God produces fruit only in receptive hearts. This emphasizes the necessity of true faith, not just hearing with the ears.
  3. The teaching about the lamp builds on this: those who receive the word must let it shine, not hide it.
  4. Jesus’ statement about his family clarifies that spiritual kinship, grounded in hearing and obeying God’s word, is even more important than physical family ties.
  5. God’s word is effectual. The Spirit opens hearts to respond with faith and obedience (Romans 10:17). These parables point to the work of the Spirit in giving life and sustaining faith.

Theological Insights

  1. The word of God is living and powerful, and when received in faith, it produces fruit in the lives of believers.
  2. God’s people are called not only to hear the word but also to obey it. True faith leads to action.
  3. God’s word is a light that must not be hidden but shared openly.
  4. The true family of Jesus is made up of those who hear and obey the word of God. The church is this family, gathered under Christ as head.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

  1. What happened to the seeds that fell on the path, the rocks, the thorns, and the good soil?
  2. What is the meaning of the seeds that fell on the path, the rocks, the thorns, and the good soil?
  3. Why does Jesus say that no one hides a lamp under a bed or a bowl?
  4. What will happen when the light is put in its proper place?
  5. Who does Jesus say are his true mother and brothers?

Personal Reflection and Application

  1. What can sometimes make it hard for you to listen to God’s word?
  2. What can sometimes make it hard for you to obey God’s word?
  3. How can you let God’s word shine like a light in your life?
  4. Who in your life helps you grow in faith, like good soil for your heart?
  5. What is one way you can show this week that you belong to God’s family?

Suggested Activities

Seed and Soil Activity

  • Provide four clear cups with labels: Path, Rocks, Thorns, Good Soil. Place objects inside each cup (pebbles, sticks, paper thorns, and rich dirt ).
  • Hold up a seed packet and ask students: Which of these soils would help a seed grow strong? Which is like the kind of heart God wants us to have?
  • Consider giving each child a cup with rich dirt and a couple of seeds. Radishes and marigolds are fast growing!

This activity helps children visualize Jesus’ parable and consider the state of their own hearts.

Lamp Illustration

  • Bring a flashlight or small lamp. First hide it under a box, then set it high where it gives light.
  • Ask: Which way is more helpful? Why? Then connect it to how God’s word should shine through our lives.

This activity shows the importance of letting God’s truth be seen and not hidden.

Family of God Circle

  • Have the students sit in a circle and talk about the people in their lives who encourage them to follow Jesus.
  • Write “God’s Family” on a large piece of paper in the center, and let the students add names or draw small pictures around it.

This activity reminds students that the church is God’s family, united by hearing and obeying his word.

Memory Verse

Bible verse from Luke 8:15 about bearing fruit with patience.

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Luke 8:15 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,
Thank you for giving us your word that brings life and light. Help us to listen with open hearts, to obey you with faith, and to live as part of your family. Teach us to share your truth with others and to bear fruit with patience.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 8:4-21 - Hearing and Obeying God’s Word
Bible verse from Luke 8:15 about bearing fruit with patience.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Studies based on Luke 8:4-21 here:

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

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