Week 58 | Sections 64 h,i,j,k
No doubt you’re presently on some kind of quest – searching or yearning for something. Perhaps its for something material, an adventure, or a better job; or perhaps its for something more significant such as a companion, love, forgiveness – but whatever kind of treasure you’ve been giving it your all, or day and night its been consuming your thoughts. In this age Jesus’ words are as poignant as the shovel with which one man hid in a field. Where is your treasure?
Scripture
Section 64h | Matthew 13:44
44 “Again,1 the Kingdom of Heaven2 is like treasure3 hidden in the field, which a man found,4¯5 and hid. In his joy,6 he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.7
Section 64i | Matthew 13:45-46
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking8 fine pearls,9 46 who having found one pearl of great price,10 he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.11
Section 64j | Matthew 13:47-50
47 “Again,12 the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, 48 which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach. They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away.13 49 So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.”
Section 64k | Matthew 13:51-53
51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”14 52 He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”15 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.16
Group Dialog:
- Have you ever dreamed of discovering a hidden treasure, time capsule, or an undiscovered artifact of great worth?
- What makes His Kingdom so valuable, so priceless?
- Can a person experience the full joy of such a treasure without surrendering to the Lordship of Christ? Can they experience part of the joy? If it would be possible, what might be lost in the shuffle between two kingdoms?
- After Jesus death the Holy Spirit was sent to infill and guide the disciples. Share some of your recent experiences of being guided by the Holy Spirit and surrender to the Lordship of Christ in your life?
Learning Objectives: surrender all, recognize Christ worth, spiritual aspiration, materialism, treasures, desire of your heart, life purpose, integrity, fulfillment of the Gospel, grace on the cross, victory in the resurrection, Lordship of Christ, working in the kingdom of God.
Photo: At the White House Inn, Vermont for a family wedding Sept-2012.
Study Notes: