Kingdom Treasure Hunt: Diving Deeper
See Jesus
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. He was very happy. So he went and sold everything he had. And he bought that field.” Matthew 13:44 NIV
We want to know what King Jesus has to say about his kingdom so we explored this parable with the KPC Kids. Unpacking this story was A LOT of fun, with the children participating through acting out the story and going on a treasure hunt. There were some pretty happy campers each time the hidden treasure was found. The children wanted to reenact this simple, yet profound, story over and over (and over and over...) again!
It turns out, there is great joy in the finding of precious treasure.
At first, I thought of Jesus as the hidden treasure. The one worth giving our everything for. That may be one interpretation of this parable. However in the week following, a friend shared what the Lord was teaching her as she meditated on this scripture and there is so much more to this story!
When we look at what the man does after he has sold everything, we see that he bought the field. In doing so he gained legal right to the treasure. In all of the parables leading up to this one, Jesus told us that the field represented the world. And who do we know that has paid for the whole world?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16
The blood of Jesus paid for everything. When we accept Jesus we come under his glorious, legal jurisdiction. This is really good news and cause for great joy!
Have you been found by Jesus? Has he saved you?
Family, we are the found ones! We are the treasure! I want to remind us, especially those of us who have been believers for a long time: Let’s not rush past this parable. Let’s not quickly apply this to someone else without receiving it ourselves.
Derek Prince defines parables this way, “...a simple story about familiar, material, earthly things. Things that were familiar to the hearers of Jesus. But its purpose is to reveal unseen, eternal and spiritual things. … the familiar story becomes a mirror that reflects unseen, unfamiliar and spiritual things.”
So let’s take a moment. Ask Holy Spirit to show you what unseen, unfamiliar and spiritual realities this simple story is reflecting back to you right now.
Grace and peace to you in the listening!
-Pastor Charla
Know Jesus
This week, you can dive deeper into the message through one or all of the following:
Mediate on the treasure parable found in Matt. 13:44 this week. Chew on it, think on it, journal about it... Then, consider sharing something you have discovered with someone else.
Do a DBS on Deuteronomy 7:6-9. What a joy to be one of the treasured ones, brought into the covenant of love through Christ Jesus!
Listen and worship along with "Reckless Love"
Consider the prayer prompts given in your time with God this week.
Discovery Bible Study
TO BEGIN
Pray and ask Holy Spirit to teach you about God from His word.
Next, read the verse a couple of times.
Now, ask these questions:
What does this tell me about God/Jesus?
What does this tell me about people?
How can I respond to what I just read?
When you’re done asking these questions, it’s a great idea to pray and thank God for teaching you more about who He is and who you are!
Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is a way for anyone, anywhere to read God's word! You can dive deeper into this week's message by doing a DBS one any one or all of these scriptures. DBS is a great tool to use for your own devotions, as a bible study with friends, or as an evangelism tool!
Deuteronomy 7:6-9
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Listen to ‘Reckless Love’ by Cory Asbury
Prayer Prompts
Pray for an outbreak of worship in our church family!
Pray that we would grow strong in the foundations of family growth.
Pray that the love of God would shine through the body of Christ.
Share Jesus
You can share this week's podcast, email, or blog post. Check out volunteer opportunities to get involved in the work of sharing Jesus in our church family and community.
Current Volunteer Opporunities
Pastor Charla is looking for volunteers for the Christmas season Kid's church schedule. This schedule will be one Sunday commitments rather than a four week rotation. You can sign up to help by contacting Pastor Charla at pastorcharla@kiplingchurch.com.
