Kingdom Treasure: Found, Bought, and Coming Soon
Matthew 13:44
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
1. What is like treasure hidden in a field? How? (13:44)
2. What is the kingdom of heaven like? Why? (13:44)
3. Where was treasure hidden? (13:44)
4. What happened when the man uncovered the hidden treasure? (13:44)
5. What are some good ways to determine what our priorities really are?
6. How did the man feel when he discovered the treasure? (13:44)
7. How badly did the man want the treasure? (13:44)
8. If the gospel is true and heaven is our destiny, why are we often “ho-hum” about Christ and the Christian life?
9. How can we recover the joy and excitement that we had when we first met Christ?
10. What does the parable of the hidden treasure teach us about the value of the Kingdom of Heaven?
11. In what ways does this passage challenge our understanding of what is truly valuable in life?
12. How can we prioritize our spiritual pursuits in a world that often values material things over spiritual wealth?
Matt 13:45-46
The Parable of the Pearl
13. To what did Christ compare the kingdom of heaven? Why? (13:45)
14. What did the man in the parable find? (13:46)
15. How valuable was the pearl? (13:47)
16. How did the man who found the pearl react to its discovery? (13:47)
17. What do you think the pearl represents in the context of this parable? How does it reflect on the nature of the kingdom of heaven?
18. In what ways do you see the concept of 'finding' a treasure comparing to the way we come to know Christ in our lives?
19. What does this passage reveal to you about the value God places on His kingdom and on those who seek it?
Matt 13:47-52
The Parable of the Net
20. To what did Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven? (13:47)
21. In the Parable of the Net, what did the fishermen do with the full net? (13:48)
22. What happened to the good fish? (13:48)
23. What happened to the bad fish? (13:48)
24. Why did Jesus use this analogy? (13:49)
25. What group did the fishermen in the story represent? (13:49)
26. Jesus interpreted His parable to say that wicked people can expect what kind of eternal destiny? (13:50)
27. What question did Jesus ask His disciples when He finished teaching? (13:51)
28. How did the disciples answer Jesus’ question? (13:51)
29. To what did Jesus compare those in His audience who knew about the Old Testament law and the kingdom of heaven to come? (13:52)
Matt 13:53-58
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
30. What do you like best and least about your hometown?
31. What did Jesus do when He finished telling His parables? (13:53)
32. Where exactly did Jesus preach? (13:54)
33. What kinds of questions were the folks in Nazareth asking? (13:55)
34. What family ties did the townspeople of Nazareth recognize Jesus as having? (13:55)
35. How did the people feel about “one of their own” saying wise things and doing amazing miracles? (13:57)
36. What did Jesus not do in Nazareth—at least in any great amount? Why? (13:58)
37. In what ways does this passage illustrate the concept of familiarity breeding contempt?
38. How can we actively work to cultivate an open heart toward Jesus, especially in the midst of our familiarity?
39. What practical steps can we take to ensure that we are not overlooking God’s work in our lives due to familiarity?
40. How might this passage inform our approach to sharing our faith with those who know us well?