Introduction

Before we begin, this is quick reminder of what we’ve considered so far:

  • God’s kingdom is coming

    • to rule primarily hearts not people groups

    • in small and imperceptible ways that only later become visible, rather than in large and forceful ways

    • everywhere, not in specific times and places

  • God’s kingdom is a kingdom of grace right alongside righteousness (the nature of the kingdom), not just a kingdom of righteousness

  • The God of the kingdom rebukes the righteous and accepts sinners.

1. One description of recent attitudes toward Christianity that some people have found helpful is as follows.

  • Positive World (Pre-1994)

    • To be seen as a religious person and one who exemplifies traditional Christian norms is a social positive. Christianity is a status enhancer. In some cases failure to embrace those norms hurt you. 

    • In 1987 the Miami Herald reported that Sen. Gary Hart had been having an affair, and cavorting with the woman in question on his yacht. He was forced to drop out of the presidential race as a result.

  • Neutral World (1994-2014)

    • Christianity is seen as a socially neutral attribute.  It no longer had a dominant status in society, but to be seen as a religious person is not a knock either. It’s more like a personal affectation or hobby. Traditional norms of behavior retain residual force. 

    • In 1998 the Drudge Report broke the story that Bill Clinton had been having an affair with intern Monica Lewinksy, including sex acts in the Oval Office. Bill Clinton was badly damaged by the scandal but survived it as the Democratic Party rallied around him and the public decided his private behavior was not relevant to the job.

  • Negative World (2014-)

    • In this world, being a Christian is a social negative, especially in high-status positions. Christianity in many ways as seen as undermining the social good. Traditional norms are expressly repudiated. 

    • In 2016 Donald Trump, whose entire persona (sexual antics, excess consumption, boastfulness, etc.) is antithetical to traditional Christianity, is elected president. The Access Hollywood tape, for example, had no effect on voter decisions about him.

Which world is our community part of? Any reasons for thinking that?

As the world becomes more negative, the kingdom seems to demand more. Jesus always taught the demand of the kingdom.

Getting into God’s Word

Let’s read Matthew 13:44-46

5. What are some historical insights that help us understand this parable? Watch the clip below.

  • The possibility of finding buried treasure in Palestine


  • The seemingly dishonest or shady choices of the hired hand

  • The value of pearls in the first century

6. Why do you think these people sold everything they had in order to purchase the land or the pearl? From what Jesus said in Matthew 13:44 -46, do you think that it was a hard decision for them to make?

7. This parable would not have been considered scandalous or dishonest in Jesus’ day. Watch some more.

  • the rabbis had rules for ownerless property

  • to acquire ownerless property, one had to move it

  • the field hand had to take a bold course of action

9. What is the surprise or twist in this parable?

Is there anything in this world that you would sell everything to get?


10. A good way to summarize the point of the parable is to grasp the comparison it makes. Let’s see if we can be clear about it with a “just as …. so also” statement.

“Just as (the main message of the parable) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

….so also ….. (God deals with the world) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________”

““Unfortunately, it is all too easy to lose sight of this value and so lose the joy. This is the danger of those who grow up in fine Christian homes and good churches but who take this for granted. if a person has always known the message, he or she may not really grasp the value of the gospel.””
— Michael Wilkins

Getting the Word into our lives

11. Reflect to the times when you’ve found Jesus - the first, second, or fiftieth. Share whether or not it was difficult. Presumably changes have happened in your life since then. What? Reflect on whether some of that early joy and enthusiasm has been lost.

12. Was your conversion to the kingdom of God more like the field’s hand’s (an unexpected surprise) or like the pearl merchant’s (an expected surprise)? Why?

Wrap Up

Split into groups of 2 or 3.

13. What’s a passage from this Scripture that impacted you?

14. How are you going to respond to this message?

15. Who is one person you’d like to share this with?