Planting Seeds of Faith

Hi everyone! Imagine your heart is like a garden. You get to choose what grows there: good things that make you truly happy, or bad things that take over and make you feel empty.

Now, in this garden, there are two kinds of gardeners. We’ll call them the ‘Wanderers’ and the ‘Keepers.’

The Wanderers and the Empty Feeling:

Imagine a Wanderer. They love toys, games, anything shiny! They see a cool rock or a new video game and think, “Wow, this will make me so happy!” They grab it right away, thinking it will fill their heart. But, like all toys, the rock gets old, the game gets boring. These things don’t make them happy for long.

We call these things “things we love too much.” It’s when you love something more than being kind, more than spending time with people you love, and more than loving God. Someone with a heart full of “things we love too much” feels sad inside. They play, they get new toys, but they still feel empty. They’re like someone walking in circles, not knowing where to go.

The Keepers and the Growing Joy:

Now, picture a Keeper. They walk through their garden, and they see a tiny, strong seed. This seed is a gift from God, and it’s called ‘trust.’ The Keeper knows this seed is special. They carefully plant it and water it with prayer, by talking to God, and by reading God’s words in the Bible.

The Keeper knows that true happiness comes from God, not from shiny toys. They understand that God wants them to be more than just happy for a moment; He wants them to be filled with His goodness, like a garden full of blooming flowers that smell sweet and bring joy to everyone.

The Keeper’s garden is full of life! They share their flowers with others, they help those who are sad or hurting, and they always remember to thank God, who gave them the seed. They are truly ‘alive’ in God, like a tree with deep roots, strong and full of life.

Here’s the simple truth:

• Idols are like weeds. They take up space and don’t give lasting joy.
• God’s love is like a strong seed. It grows into something beautiful and lasting.

How do we become Keepers?

• Talk to God: Pray, tell Him about your day, and ask Him to help you see the weeds in your garden.
• Read God’s Words: The Bible is like a guidebook for Keepers. It shows us how to plant the right seeds.
• Help Others: Sharing God’s love makes our garden even more beautiful.
• Remember, it’s a process: We all have weeds sometimes. But God is always ready to help us pull them out and plant new seeds.

Think about your garden today. Are there any weeds you need to pull? Are there any seeds you need to plant? God is there to help you become a Keeper, to have a garden that blooms with His love. He wants you to be truly alive in Him. You are loved, and you are capable of a beautiful garden. Let your garden reflect the light of God.”

Simple Breakdown of the Lesson:

• Idols: Anything that takes God’s place in our hearts.
• Alive in God: Choosing God’s way, which brings true joy and purpose.
• The Garden Analogy: A simple way to understand how our choices affect our lives.

Discover the difference between “Wanderers” and “Keepers” in the garden of your heart. Learn how to identify “weeds” (idols) and plant “seeds” of faith for lasting joy and purpose. A simple story from Josa about choosing God’s way and living “alive” in Him.

Summary: This lesson uses the metaphor of a garden to illustrate how our hearts are shaped by our choices. It contrasts “Wanderers,” who seek fleeting happiness in material things and idols, leading to an empty feeling, with “Keepers,” who cultivate a relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and helping others. The “Keeper’s” heart, likened to a garden nurtured with God’s love, grows into a source of lasting joy and purpose. It emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from choosing God over temporary pleasures, recognizing idols as “weeds” and God’s love as a “seed” that blossoms into a beautiful life. The lesson encourages self-reflection, urging listeners to identify and remove “weeds” (idols) and plant “seeds” of faith to live “alive” in God.