“Serious Searchers and Surprised Finders” – Matthew 13:44-46 This week we looked at two little parables recorded in Matthew 13:44-46 when Jesus told about the a serious searcher and a surprised finder who find something of great value. They are considered “kingdom parables” told to show us what the Kingdom of God is like.A parable is an earthly story designed to make a heavenly point and to make you think. Who are you in these parables and what is God wanting you to think about and do?
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What are your summer plans?
- If you could do anything you want this summer, what would you want to do?
- Have you ever found something of great value? Something at a store, garage sale, online, etc?
- If so, were you seeking it intentionally looking for it (a serious searcher) or did you just find it accidentally (a surprised finder)?
- READ: Matthew 13:44-46
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other.Either way make as many observations as you can. Observations: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- This is a “kingdom parable” that describes the Kingdom of God. What could Jesus be telling us about the Kingdom of God in this passage?
- What is your story with Jesus and His Kingdom? In what ways are you a serious searcher?In what ways are you like the surprised finder?
- Doug gave three questions if the Kingdom of God is the great value we find. What do you think of when of reflect on these 3 questions:
- Do I understand the VALUE of what I have in Christ?
- Do I see my Christian life as what I LOSE or GAIN?
- Where do I look RIDICULOUS if there is no treasure?
- How will you seek to engage with Jesus and God’s word this summer as a serious searcher?
- Doug gave three other questions if WE are the treasure of great value Jesus is seeking out. What do you think of when of reflect on these 3 questions:
- Do we understand the value of who WE are?
- Do we see our Christian life as OURS or HIS?
- Where do we look ridiculous if WE are the treasure?
- READ: Matthew 6:33. How will you seek first His Kingdom this week?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step?Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Matthew 10:39 “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
Matthew 13:10-13, 44-46; Mark 8:36-37; Matthew 19:16-22; Matthew 13:37-38; Matthew 6:33