Bible study should never become the focus or main activity of Sprouts sessions; covenant sharing should always be the center of your time together. Yet there may be times when you decide that your group needs to do some serious thinking about scripture or to learn how to encounter Scripture at a deeper level.

Having named the children's version of covenant discipleship Sprouts, I have become somewhat obsessed with the seed/planting/growing images and symbols found in the Bible. I often use these Scriptures as the centerpiece for adult spiritual formation experiences. They are also fertile ground for children (there I go again). Using these "growing" Scriptures with some thoughtful guidance in biblical study and the hands-on activity of planting a seed or watching a plant grow and bear frui, can be an excellent spiritual formation experience. This encounter with Scripture helps children who are still literal-minded begin to learn about symbolism and biblical interpretation in a way they can understand. I start with a sheet of paper on which I have printed one of the verses and a graphic or photo illustrating it. I use an adapted form of "Lectio Divina" as the method for addressing the verses. These experiences could be done during a Sprouts session. You can encourage the children to take the sheet home and do it again with their parents. I hope the two examples of Bible verses with questions and some basic instructions for using them (following) will get you started. Later, you may want to use this method to encounter Scriptures relating to justice, worship, or kindness.

Instructions for the Bible Study Leader

1. Hand out seed with verse and graphic.
2. Ask someone to read the verse. Warning the children that it may feel like a long time, ask them to think about the verse silently. Wait at least 90 seconds or longer if your group can handle it.
3. Ask them to share only one word from the verse that "leaped out" at them. No explanations.
4. Ask someone else to read the verse. Ask the children to think silently about the verse for 90 seconds (or more).
5. Giving instructions, have each child silently plant a seed in a prepared pot.
6. Have someone else read the verse and have them think silently for 90 seconds or more.
7. Ask them to respond to any of the questions or share any other thoughts they have about the verse.
8. Have someone else read the verse. Ask them to sit with God silently as a seed might rest after planting. Close with prayer.

Sample Verse

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Cor. 3:7, NRSV).

Things to think about . . .

• What does a seed need in order to grow?
• What does it mean to say that God is at the center?
• In what ways are you like a planted seed?
• What growing "thing" do you think this verse is talking about?
• How is your faith like a planted seed or a growing plant?

Sample verse

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of the drought it is not anxious, and
it does not cease to bear fruit (Jer. 17:7-8, NRSV).

Things to think about . . .

• What does a tree need to grow strong?
• Why is a stream a good place to grow?
• As a disciple, what are your "roots"?
• What do your roots need for your "tree of discipleship" to grow?
• As a disciple, what kind of "fruit" do you produce?

What Do Sprouts Have to Say about Sprouts?

In an upcoming issue of the Covenant Discipleship Quarterly, I would like to feature comments from current or former Sprouts participants about what they think about Sprouts and how Sprouts has affected their spiritual journey. Please ask your past or present Sprouts to answer any of these or similar questions:

• What do you like best about Sprouts?
• Why do you participate in Sprouts?
• How has Sprouts helped you be a better Christian?
• What difference has Sprouts made in your life?

Send the responses to Edie Harris, 2622 Forest Drive, Melbourne, FL 32901; or e-mail bricedie@juno.com. Be sure to include information about how to contact you.

Edie Genung Harris is co-author of Sprouts: Nurturing Children Through Covenant Discipleship (Discipleship Resources).