Picture stories · 6 of 7 · Green World
The seed
In the forest, an old gardener gives a child one big seed.
A made-up story in three paintings, about a young builder: “you.” Read it together, then look for Jesus in it.
1In the forest, an old gardener hands you a seed as big as your hand. 
2You water it each day and build a fence to keep the deer away. 
3It grows into a tall young tree full of birds. The forest folk move closer.
Where is Jesus in this story?
A seed you can hold in your hand grew into a tree full of birds. Jesus said God’s kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a tree where the birds come and nest. It started small, with Jesus and a few friends, and now it has grown into countries all over the world. When you trust Jesus, something small begins to grow in you too.
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32 (BSB)
Talk about itWhat small thing could you do this week that God could grow into something big?
Pray: Lord, help Your kingdom grow in me.
This is chapter 1 of a longer story. You can read all three chapters at our sister site, The Atlas of Cities.