“A Tale of Two Treasures”
I. Why Parables?
A. The Left-handed Power of Stories (Isaiah 55:8-9)
B. The Robustness of Stories (Matthew 13:52)
C. The Disclosing Power of Stories (Matthew 13:35)
II. A Treasure in a Field (Matt. 13:44)
A. Hidden but Found (Matt. 7:8, Matt. 18:12-14, Luke 15)
B. Stumbled Upon or Sought After?
C. A Bank-Breaking (but good) deal (v. 44; Phil. 3:5-8)
III. A Pearl of Great Value (Matt. 13:45)
A Switch in Subjects (v. 45)
B. Seeking and Finding
C. A Head Scratcher of a Deal (v. 45)
IV. What is the Kingdom like?
A. It is Hidden…
B. … but it Seeks us.
C. It is Priceless…
D. … but it Buys us.
E. Encountering it Changes You
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. Kid’s Question: What is your favourite story? What do you like about it?
2. How have you understood the parables as you have read them? What are they about? 3. When in your life has something that was hidden suddenly become clear to you?
4. What would it mean or look like to sell everything for the Kingdom of Heaven?
5. Have you ever noticed the switch in subjects in the second parable? Do you think it is significant?
6. What do you make of the deal the merchant made? What does it make him now?
7. What do you think about the dialectical nature of the kingdom? Can you think of other paradoxical or opposing ideas about the kingdom?
8. In what ways can you seek the treasure this week? What might you need to sell to obtain it? In what ways has the merchant been seeking You out?