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Sermon Series: We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re talking about a passage where Jesus teaches the crowd many parables about the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:44
“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.”
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Matthew 13:24-58 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- What surprised you as we talked about it?
- How does understanding God’s Kingdom better help you to have a deeper understanding of God’s goodness and mercy?
Diving In
- Oftentimes the imperfections of the church can be deeply unsettling. Read Matthew 13 verses 24-26 and 31-33 and 47-50. Here, during these 4 parables, Jesus makes it very clear that God’s Kingdom is here, however, it’s not fully here quite yet. How do those 4 parables help you to think through, deal with, and interact with the church today?
2. Read Matthew 13 verses 27, 38 and 39. Here, Jesus makes it clear that the enemy is actively acting against God’s Kingdom. In what ways do you see the enemy doing that today? Read Eph. 4:27 and 6:11. How can you best be on guard against the schemes of the enemy?
3. God has a radical amount of patience and kindness towards us. Read Matthew 13 verses 28-29, 34-37, 44-47, and 51-58. How do these parables help you to better understand God’s heart for salvation? How does understanding that deepen your relationship with God?
4. Read Matthew 13 verses 30, 40-43, and 48-50. Here, Jesus also makes it clear that God is just. How do these parables help you to better understand God’s heart for justice? How does understanding that deepen your relationship with God?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?