Kingdom Stories | December 4, 2022
+ Read Scripture
Matthew 13:44-52
44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Talk Sheet Questions
What is the one thing you personally would least like to part with or sell?
How are the parables of the treasure and the pearl similar? How are they different?
How does the parable of the net improve our understanding of the kingdom of God?
Take a step back and think about all the parables in chapter 13. How has your perspective on the kingdom of heaven changed?
Do you have any “new treasures” from these stories of the kingdom? Were you reminded of any old treasures? (52)
Prayer
Pray that we will gain the treasure, no matter the cost.