Discussion Prompts with Biblical Principles

 

A guide for parents, teachers, and ministry leaders to lead thoughtful, faith-filled conversations with children ages 5–8.

 

Something is Missing (Pages 1–2)

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Themes: Longing, Emptiness, Purpose, Feeling Insignificant

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• Have you ever felt like something was missing, even when everything seemed okay?

• Why do you think Little Mustard had a hole in his heart?
  He wanted his life to mean something. He longed to grow and do something special—like bear fruit and make a difference.

• What do you think it means to grow like a tree?
  God doesn’t want us to stay the same. He made each of us to grow strong in Him, to have deep roots, and to bless others with the “fruit” of our lives.

 

Biblical Truth:

God made each of us for a purpose. Even if you feel small or unimportant, God has big plans for your life when you trust Him.
See: Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10

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The Great Farmer’s Invitation (Pages 3–4)

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Themes: Trust, Fear, God’s Call

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• Why do you think Little Mustard was afraid to be planted?
  Being planted meant entering the unknown. It was scary, dark, and unfamiliar—just like when God asks us to do hard things.

• What hard things do you think God might ask you to do—or has asked you before?
  Maybe… helping someone who isn’t always kind. Trusting God when you're nervous about a test. Giving away something special to someone who needs it more.

• What kinds of scary thoughts come into your mind when you have to do something hard?
  “What if I can’t do it?” “Will other kids laugh at me?” “What if I mess up?” “I don’t want to disappoint my mom or dad.”

• What helps you trust someone, even when you’re scared?
  Spending time with them and learning their heart. The more we spend time with God, the more we know He is kind and trustworthy.

• The Great Farmer said, “Trust Me.” What does trusting God mean to you?
  Trust means believing that God is good and will take care of you, even when you don’t understand what’s happening.

• Do you think you can trust God when you have to do something hard, like Little Mustard?

 

Biblical Truth:

God calls each of us to be planted in Him. That means letting go of our own way and trusting Him to grow us into who He made us to be.
See: John 12:24, Proverbs 3:5–6

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Choosing to Be Planted (Page 5)

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Themes: Courage, Obedience, Listening to God’s Voice

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• Have you ever had to be brave when others didn’t believe in you, like Hairy Mango and Sunflower did toward Little Mustard?

• What helped Little Mustard make the brave choice?
  He trusted the Great Farmer’s love and remembered his dream of growing and bearing fruit.

• What does the Great Farmer’s love show us about God’s love?
  God wants what’s best for us. His love never changes, even when He asks us to do hard things.

 

Biblical Truth:

God won’t force us to grow—but He lovingly invites us. When we say “yes” to His ways, we begin the journey to become who He made us to be.
See: Deuteronomy 30:19, Romans 12:1–2

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The Underground Season (Pages 6–7)

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Themes: Waiting, Feeling Unseen, Root-Building

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• What do you think it felt like for Little Mustard in the dark?
  Probably lonely, scary, and confusing. It can feel like nothing is happening.

• Why are roots important, even if we can’t see them?
  Roots help us stay strong in storms. In life, our “roots” are our trust in God, knowing His Word, and spending time with Him.

• Have you ever had to wait for something good? What helped you wait?
  Praying, remembering what God has done before, and trusting that He knows the perfect time.

 

Biblical Truth:

Even when we don’t see anything happening, God is growing us. Our faith takes root in quiet, hidden places.
See: Colossians 2:6–7

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Breaking Through and Growing (Pages 8–9)

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Themes: Growth, Perseverance, Trusting God’s Process

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• What helped Little Mustard grow strong?
  His roots, the sunshine, the rain, and time spent with the Great Farmer.

• What are some “storms” (hard things) you’ve gone through?

• How does God help us grow stronger through those storms?
  Each time we go through something hard with God’s help, we learn to trust Him more. That makes our “roots” stronger.

 

Biblical Truth:

When we stay close to Jesus, we can grow through anything. Our struggles help us become stronger in Him.
See: Romans 5:3–5, James 1:2–4

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Pruning and Fruit (Pages 9–10)

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Themes: Spiritual Growth, Letting Go, Becoming Like Jesus

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• Why did the Great Farmer need to prune Little Mustard?
  To remove the parts that weren’t helpful so the good branches could grow strong and bear fruit.

• Have you ever had to let go of something so something better could grow?

• What kind of fruit does God want us to grow?
  The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as well as the things we do for His kingdom (spreading the news about what Jesus did for us on the cross and helping people in need).

 

Biblical Truth:

Sometimes God removes things from our lives to help us grow more like Jesus. It may feel hard, but it always leads to something better.
See: John 15:1–2, Galatians 5:24

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Harvest and Purpose (Pages 11–12)

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Themes: Fulfillment, Purpose, Gratitude

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• How did Little Mustard feel when he saw his fruit?
  Joyful! Excited! Fulfilled!

• What do you think his fruit was used for?
  To bless others, to plant more seeds, and to help grow even more trees.

• How did trusting the Great Farmer lead to good things for Little Mustard?
  Because Little Mustard trusted, he became everything God meant for him to be—a strong, fruitful tree!

 

Biblical Truth:

Living in God’s purpose brings joy, peace, and the blessing of helping others. God has good plans for your life when you trust Him fully.
See: Psalm 1:1–3, Matthew 5:16

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General Reflection Questions (Use anytime)

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• Who is someone in your life you trust like Little Mustard trusted the Great Farmer?

• What part of Little Mustard’s story reminds you of something in your own life?

• What do you think this story teaches us about God?

• If you were a seed, what kind of tree would you like to grow into? Why?

• If you could be any kind of seed, what would you choose and why?

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Activity Guide

 

For ages 5–8
Themes: Trust in God • Spiritual Growth • Patience • Purpose • God’s Love

 

1. Let’s Talk: Story Reflection Time

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Materials: None

Goal: Help children connect personally to the story

• What was your favorite part of Little Mustard’s story?

• What do you think the “hole in his heart” means?

• How did Little Mustard show courage?

• When is it hard for you to trust God?

• How do you think God helps us grow like Little Mustard?

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✝ Faith Connection: Read Philippians 1:6
"God began doing a good work in you. And he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. I am sure of that." (International Children's Bible (ICB))
→ Ask: What “good work” is God doing in you right now?

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2. Craft: My Faith Seed Planter

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Materials:

• Paper or plastic cup

• Soil

• A real seed (like a bean or sunflower seed)

• Markers/stickers to decorate

• Water

 

Instructions:

1. Decorate your cup with drawings of trees, hearts, or a favorite verse.

2. Fill it with soil, plant the seed, and label it: “I am growing in God!”

3. Water it and place it in sunlight.

4. Each day, talk about how God is helping you grow on the inside—just like the seed.

 

✝ Faith Connection: Just like Little Mustard couldn’t see what was happening underground, sometimes we don’t see how God is working—but He is.

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3. Activity: Root Strong or Leaf Light?

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Materials: Printable or chalkboard/whiteboard

Goal: Help kids learn to build “spiritual roots”

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Draw a simple tree with roots, trunk, branches, and leaves. Ask kids to help list examples:

• Roots (things that help us grow strong in God): prayer, studying the Bible, trusting God, obeying, worship, asking questions, waiting patiently

• Leaves (good things we enjoy): friends, fun, blessings, games, sunny days

• Fruit (ways we bless others): kindness, sharing, helping, forgiving. Draw 9 different fruits on the tree and name them according to Galatians 5.

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✝ Faith Connection: Read Galatians 5:22–23 — the Fruit of the Spirit
→ Memorize the 9 “fruits” that God wants to grow in you - love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Use mimes with the words to remember the fruits. For example fold your hands over your heart for love, put your arms in the air for joy, hold out your hand for a handshake or shake someone else’s hand to show peace, fold your arms in a waiting gesture to symbolize patience, smile at someone to show kindness, hold out open hands in a gesture of giving a present to someone to show goodness, walk around purposefully to symbolize faithfulness, stroke someone’s arm or shoulder to show gentleness, hold up a finger wiggling it from side to side to show you’re saying no to something which resembles self-control. With each gesture, let the children say: I have ... (name the fruit)” and let them couple their words with the action. You, as the teacher or parent, can change the mimes/gestures/actions to fit the fruit as you wish. They only serve to help the children remember the fruit better.

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→ Also discuss how you could spread the gospel by telling friends/other people in the children's lives about what Jesus did on the cross for us and how much He loves us. Couple this with acts of love that would be easy and appropriate for the children to do in their communities.

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4. Game: “Trust Me!” Blindfold Walk

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Materials: Blindfold, simple obstacles (like chairs or pillows)

Goal: Teach listening and trust

1. One child wears a blindfold.

2. Another (the “Farmer”) gently guides them using only voice instructions: “Step left… take 3 steps forward…”

3. Swap roles.

 

Debrief:

• How did it feel to trust the voice?

• What helped you feel safe?

• How is that like trusting God?

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✝ Faith Connection: Read Proverbs 3:5–6
"5 Trust the Lord with all your heart. Don’t depend on your own understanding. 6 Remember the Lord in everything you do. And he will give you success." (International Children's Bible (ICB))

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5. Creative Writing or Drawing: My God-Grown Tree

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Materials: Paper, crayons/markers

Prompt:
Draw yourself as a tree planted by God. What do your roots, branches, leaves, and fruit look like?

Then write or dictate a short sentence:
“God is growing me to be _______________.”

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6. Memory Verse Flower Craft

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Verse: “Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught. And always be thankful.” – Colossians 2:7 (ICB)

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Craft Idea:
Draw a big flower. Write the memory verse on the petals, and in the center write: “I trust God to grow me!” Decorate with colors and glitter!

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7. Prayer Prompt: Talking to the Great Farmer

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Encourage children to pray like Little Mustard might have:

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“Dear Great Farmer,

Sometimes I feel small and scared. But I want to grow strong and full of fruit. Please help me trust You, even when it’s hard. I know You love me and You’re always with me.

Amen.”

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