Week Two

Eyes open!

So what is the Kingdom of heaven like? To see the Kingdom in action we need to keep our eyes open, to spot the small things that become the wild things, that become the beautiful things. That become the massive things. The things of the Kingdom.

SEEDS TO SOW: If you could only tell someone one story to tell them about the Kingdom, what would you tell them?

Read Matthew 13: 44-46

A discovery of great worth

The story of the treasure is contained in just one sentence (verse 44) but what do you uncover when you dig into it?

The story of the pearl is similar to the preceding one, but on this occasion, we are told that the merchant is deliberately searching for a fine pearl. Whereas in the first one the protagonist simply finds the treasure, perhaps literally tripping over it in a field.

How do you respond to the contrast between these stories? That the Kingdom is both something that can be found after an arduous search and something that can simply be stumbled across? What does it tell us about God?

Read Matthew 20: 1-16

Payday

How does this story encourage us? And how does it challenge us and make us uncomfortable? Why do you think it was important for Jesus to challenge his listeners in this way? Do we (and should we) feel uncomfortable about following his example in this respect?

Read Matthew 13: 31-35

The power of story

A story itself can work like a seed — we think we get it on one level, but as it takes root in us it grows and bears fruit in new ways!

Having reflected in ‘seeds to sow’ about your favourite story to share about the Kingdom, it’s time to be creative! Jesus used familiar objects and analogies from the world around his listeners to illustrate the kingdom.

What might prove to be helpful contemporary Kingdom images for speaking to your families, neighbours and community? Take time to share and develop ideas together, not forgetting to stop and pray for the Spirit’s wisdom and inspiration as you do so.

For instance, what could something like a cinema, or an espresso machine, or a wellington boot, or a bag of pick ’n’ mix sweets tells us about the Kingdom of God?!

You could begin ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like...’

Example: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like a cinema, that never runs out of seats, anyone who comes finds a place, somehow there’s always space to fit someone else in, AND incredibly everyone gets a good view.