“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