Ready for Impact (10 minutes)
Catch up on how things have been since the last time your Impact Group met. Allow anyone new to introduce themselves. Then ask group members to:
Examples could include a bargain item in a charity shop, finding a banknote in an old coat or winning a lot on eBay for a fraction of its true value!
Ask for a volunteer to read Matthew 13:44-46 to the group, praying a short prayer that – however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d get to know him better as a result of your time together.
If you’re not gathered in person, the leader should project the video for the group through sharing their screen. If you’re using Zoom, make sure you have optimized your screen share for video.
Suggested questions to help your discussion
Read Matthew 13:44-46. What now stands out to you?
The video outlined the two main views when it comes to understanding Jesus’ parable. One is that we are the seeker and the treasure is Christ and his kingdom. The other is that Christ is the seeker and we are the treasure of his kingdom.
Both interpretations have Scriptural support from elsewhere. Some Bible verses emphasise that having Christ and being in his kingdom is paramount (see, for example, Luke 9:23-24, Acts 4:12, Philippians 3:7-9, 1 Peter 1:18-19). Others emphasise Jesus’ commitment to seek and save the lost because we are unable to help ourselves (e.g. Luke 19:10, Romans 3:10-11, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 2:5-8, Revelation 5:8-9).
Jesus probably had one of these meanings particularly in mind as he told his parable. But Jesus probably designed some of his parables to have multiple layers of meaning. As the video made clear, the two interpretations aren’t miles away from each other. Ultimately, we treasure Christ to the utmost when we understand how he has treasured us.
Encourage group members to examine their own hearts in the light of these parables:
Share other prayer points, and bring them together to the Lord.
As we’ve been thinking, we all build our lives around that which we desire most.
Most TV programmes and movies encourage us to desire certain things, and to find ‘the good life’ in certain places. This gives us real opportunities to talk with others about where they think life is truly found.
Watch a short YouTube video together, such as Unspoken:
Then use these questions to briefly discuss what you’ve watched – perhaps just a minute or so on each question:
What did you like most about this film?
Aim to use these questions in something you watch in the coming week on Netflix or YouTube. You might like to put them in your own words and use them with a friend to discuss something you’re both watching at the moment. You could start the conversation with, “Shall we talk about what we’ve just seen?”
Share how you get on with the rest of your Impact Group!
Some in your Impact Group may never have heard Jesus’ words about treasure before.
Confirm the time that you’ll meet next week, and ask someone to close your time together in prayer.
Taking it further – links you might like to share with your Impact Group
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