The new series at The Chapel conjures up ideas of pirate ships and chests full of gold. The series is called Treasure. Things that we treasure are things of great worth. We treasure our families, our memories, and our possessions. However the Bible teaches that there is one thing that we should treasure above all.
- When you think of treasure in the movies or in your everyday life, what comes to mind?
- Jeff Griffin, in his series opener on Treasure (www.chapel.org or click on the picture above) talked about his half-hearted commitment to the Red Sox. Is there something that you give time to that you are not particularly passionate about?
- On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your commitment to charity, church, and God? These things should be thought through separately. Why do you think that answers might differ for each one?
Read the following verse:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
- How is the treasure in the passage described?
- What is the treasure?
- Which words did Jeff draw upon to say that the Kingdom of God is both priceless and expensive?
The opening message on Treasure explained how some people see life as balanced where God fits into their lives as a part of the bigger picture. The message challenged us to see that Jesus calls us to a life where we are as fanatical about Jesus as some people are about their sports teams. It was even said that compared to our love for Jesus, all other loves should look like hatred (Luke 14).
- Do you understand the term Kingdom of God? What is a Kingdom? How is it different than a republic or democracy? Describe what the Kingdom of God might have meant to Jesus’ listeners.
- How can God’s rule in our lives and in our world be so easily brushed aside?
- Evaluate whether your life, your neighborhood, or your city reflects the Kingdom of God.
- Create a specific plan, individually or as a group to bring more of God’s rule to areas of your life and your neighborhood.
- Was Jesus interested in a private personal kingdom or a global kingdom that changed how people lived their day-to-day lives?
Next Steps
The Holman Concise Bible Dictionary says that “In one sense the Kingdom will not come until some specified time in the future (see, for example, Matt. 25:1-46). Jesus also said that there is a sense in which the Kingdom had come in his own time: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15) …
Jesus regularly invited people to join the Kingdom of God, that is to open their lives up to the ruling of God. He invited everyone.”
- In what ways does Jesus rule already take place? In what ways might it become complete in the future?
- In Matthew 19:24 Jesus says that it is hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom. Why?
- Why would Tax-collectors and prostitutes more quickly give up everything and make Jesus their king? Why would moral and religious people actually find themselves outside of the Kingdom (Matt. 21:31)?
- Verses for further study:
- The Kingdom is like a farmer (Matt. 13:24).
- The Kingdom is like a seed (Matthew 13:33).
- The Kingdom is a mystery (Mark 4:11).
- The Kingdom is marked by joy (Luke 8:1).
- The Kingdom is righteousness and peace in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:7)
Plymothian 
1. When i think of treasure in the movies, possessions come to mind. in my everyday life, good memories i have shared with the people that are in my life come to mind.
2. to be honest, my language elective class. it’s one of the requirements here at moody. but i personally dont like learning a THIRD language. so, most of the time, i am not passionate about learning that language.
3. on a scale of 1-10, i’d rate my charity 9, church 8, and God 9. Answers might be different for each one because it depends on your relationship with God.
4. Matthew 13:44 describes treasure as a hidden field.
5. the treasure in matt 13:44 is a picture of life with God–the Christian life.
6. precious, sacrifice, value, and cost.
7. i do understand the term Kingdom of God. A Kingdom is a monarchy as opposed to a republic or a democracy. It has a single ruler who is the law maker and keeper solely. to Jesus’ listeners, they saw the kingdom of God as a literal, earthly kingdom.
8. God’s rule in our lives and in our world can be so easily brushed aside in that He does not force His creation to love nor worship Him. He gives us free will.
9. the campus reflects the kingdom of God because all of us are the children of God, displaying kingdom principles here on earth. Chicago does not reflect the kingdom of God in any way because there are temples to idols everywhere. my life does reflect the kingdom of God in that i personally practice kingdom principles, while going to classes, dealing with coworkers, and living life in general.
10. to bring more of God’s rule to areas of my life and my neighborhood i have one thing that i must do: spend time with God. in doing so, His goodness and love will flow out from me into those around me and all those who i encounter.
11. i think Jesus was interested in a global kingdom because He will establish His kingdom here on earth where there will be no more corrupt living nor sin, but perfection.
12. Jesus rules over life and death already because He gave His life to save us. also, He has been given all power in heaven and on earth according to Col 2:10. It becomes complete in the future when He destroys satan and evil and brings all things in subjection to Himself.
13. Its hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom because most rich people don’t think that they need God.
14. Tax collectors and prostitutes they do not have much, therefore, they will gladly follow Jesus. Moral and religious people find themselves outside the Kingdom because they were prideful and self-righteous.
•How is the treasure in the passage described? hidden one, gives joy to people who possess the treasure
•What is the treasure? valuable objects like jewerly..diamond
•Which words did Jeff draw upon to say that the Kingdom of God is both priceless and expensive
•Do you understand the term Kingdom of God? What is a Kingdom? How is it different than a republic or democracy? Describe what the Kingdom of God might have meant to Jesus’ listeners.
the kingdom of God is where believers will live with God eternaly and there is no evil power/ republic and democracy are not able to offer perfect freedom or fairness./ the kingdom might be like a highest ideal place which has no sin and has full of joy
•How can God’s rule in our lives and in our world be so easily brushed aside?
this world has been conqured by satan (Gen 2)
•Evaluate whether your life, your neighborhood, or your city reflects the Kingdom of God.
kingdom of God could be reflected by family and its love
•Create a specific plan, individually or as a group to bring more of God’s rule to areas of your life and your neighborhood.
a specific plan… i might say I would try to reflect Jesus light to my friends. choose right things to do rather than compromising with evil
•Was Jesus interested in a private personal kingdom or a global kingdom that changed how people lived their day-to-day lives
i think its a global kingdom since He promised the kingdom which will be established on earth
•In what ways does Jesus rule already take place? In what ways might it become complete in the future?
believers (the church), He will destroy the evil and establish the new Jerusalem, the kingdom, for believers
•In Matthew 19:24 Jesus says that it is hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom. Why?
riches can captivate people to find a most value or goal of their lives from gaining more wealth. But to enter the kingdom, ultimate goal and value can not be come from anything else besides Jesus Christ
•Why would Tax-collectors and prostitutes more quickly give up everything and make Jesus their king? Why would moral and religious people actually find themselves outside of the Kingdom (Matt. 21:31
they experienced vain and suffering of the world through their lives and they might have had no hope in their lives, so they would more quickly give up everything and make Jesus their king. But if someone has a stable life, it could manipulate the one to be satisfied with the worldy value which is in vain, and to not be seeking the kingdom of God
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your commitment to charity, church, and God? These things should be thought through separately. Why do you think that answers might differ for each one?
My Commitment to Charity is a 5.
My Commitment to Church is 8.
My Commitment to God The Holy Spirit is 9.
Each of these thing should not be looked at separately but in a western ideology they are looked at separately. God calls me to act on injustice and honor all people no matter the creed. I fail everyday too see the position in which Christ has entrusted me as an coheir with Christ.
1. When I think of treasure in the movies, I think of pirates and adventure stories. When I think of treasure in daily life, I think of something that people value highly.
2. There are some homework assignments and classes that I am not particularly passionate about, but still give my time to.
3. Charity – 7
Church – 8
God – 9
They are different because they are dependent on a person’s relationship with God
4. It is described as something that someone would give up everything for.
5. The treasure is the Kingdom of God.
6. value beyond imagination, precious, costly, requiring a sacrifice
7. The Kingdom of God is sometimes hard to wrap our minds around, but I think I understand it. A kingdom is a form of government where one person rules over all. It is different from a republic or a democracy in that they people do not have a say in how things are run. They were used to having some one rule over them, so they would have seen it in that context. It would have reminded them of what life was like under David and the other kings.
8. Often times people would rather think that they are in control themselves instead of relinquishing that control to God.
9. I would love to say that my life always reflects the Kingdom of God, but it doesn’t all the time. There are definitely times when it does and times when it doesn’t at all. I think that the Moody community displays the Kingdom of God most of the time as well. As for the city of Chicago I think that in certain places the Kingdom of God is evident.
10. In order to bring more of God’s rule into my life, I need to daily relinquish control over to Him. I also need to spend more time with Him and allow Him into every aspect of my life, not just the ones that are comfortable. As for bringing more of God’s rule into the community around me. I need to be encouraging others to be spending time with Jesus as well.
11. I think that Jesus was interested in a global kingdom where people lived differently because He is on the throne.
12. He is already ruling in the hearts of His people. He is also ruling because He defeated the Prince of this world, Satan, when He died on the cross. The Kingdom will be completed in the future, because He will come to physically reign on the earth.
13. Entering the Kingdom requires giving up everything that we consider dear to us, just as the man in Matthew 13:44 sold everything in order to obtain the treasure. It is hard for those who have a lot of material possessions to be willing to give those up.
14. Tax-collectors and prostitutes would do this more quickly because they do not have much to give up. Moral and religious people would find themselves in this position because they think that they have already obtained what is necessary to enter, when they really haven’t.
1.) When I think of treasures in the movies I think of the movie National treasure, as in hitting the jackpot by finding a ton of money, or at least things of incredible value. Even in real life I think of treasure as money or things most valuable to you.
2.) There are few things that I give time to that I am not particularly passionate about, but sometimes like in High school I participated in sports and things that I wasn’t really passionate about.
3.) I would rate my commitment to charity as a 5, because though I highly value it, that would not be very evident by looking at my checking account. I would rate my commitment to church as a 6 because I love my church and I am committed to going and investing in the people and the mission of the church. I would rate my commitment to God as an 8, though obviously I wold love to say it is a 10, the very fact that my life doesn’t always reflect the values of God, such as charity and church, and so much more, clearly I’ve still claimed some of my life as my own and kept it from God. I don’t necessarily think that my answers should vary a lot, but I think they do vary because while we may love God and are seeking to serve Him, not all the areas of our life may have caught up the passion we have for the Lord.
4.) The treasure in the passage is described as something worth selling all your possessions, a treasure that brings us such joy that it should be that consuming, to make us want nothing more.
5.) The treasure is the kingdom of God!
6.) Jeff expanded on the words “found” as that shows that the kingdom is priceless, we did not pay for it, we simply came upon the grace of God (as He sufficiently bestowed it upon us). He also expands upon the word “treasure” and “sold” as it shows the value of the gift of the kingdom, that it is one that is very expensive.
7.) I think I slightly understand the term the Kingdom of God, I think there is a realm where God reigns powerfully and perfectly, not only here on this earth but also once this earth is no longer as it is, when the God restores all things and sin cannot reach us anymore. I think that it is different than a republic or a democracy because it is bigger than a government whose purpose is to rule over people so that they may maintain order in their lives. God’s Kingdom is one where people live for the sole purpose of glorifying the Lord, and though He is ruler of all, His purpose is not to just rule over us but He is a God who loves us and in a place where love and justice are already set in stone we live to be together forever, in the name of the Lord. The kingdom of God might have meant an earthly monarchy to Jesus’ listeners.
8.) God’s rule in our lives is easily brushed aside too often because it is not a visual monarchy where we openly see what the King os doing, first our eyes must be opened to the bigger picture and the fact that God is in control.
9.) My life sometimes represents the Kingdom of God, not that God isn’t always working in it, but I don’t always acknowledge His work as though He is leading. My neighborhood being the block of Moody certainly does represent the Kingdom of God most often, as we here at Moody we seek to live for one God, one King, under His name, and under His rule, our city though is another story, we often don’t live as a city that is ruled by God the Father, but obviously this is not to speak for everyone.
10.) My plan is to seek to pray for parts of this city more, for the salvation of non believers and for the rule of the Lord to be noticed. Personally I hope and plan to talk to at least one person in this city a week, about the Lord, in whatever kind of way, that could draw them closer to seeing that the Lord is in control.
11.) Jesus was interested in a global kingdom.
12.) Jesus’ rule already takes place as He is already in control and His work on the cross has conquered sin, however the kingdom also has yet to come, as Jesus will return again and once that day comes the kingdom will complete as Jesus will sit on His throne above all, with the acknowledgment of all.
13.) It is hard for rich people to enter into the kingdom because the think that they are satisfied without God.
14.)Prostitutes and sinners would find themselves in the kingdom easier than the rest because they would see their need for a Savior and a righteous ruler, and so once one offered His life for theirs there is no doubt that they would want to serve such a God. On the other hand the righteous find themselves outside of the Kingdom often as they do not see the need for God’s grace and righteous sacrifice as they feel that they can hold the weight of their own sin, with the weight of their own righteousness.
13.
When you think of treasure in the movies or in your everyday life, what comes to mind?
I think of the things of great value. In movies it tends to be a great masterpiece painting or jewels and gold. In my own life it tends to be things like pictures of loved ones.
Jeff Griffin, in his series opener on Treasure (www.chapel.org or click on the picture above) talked about his half-hearted commitment to the Red Sox. Is there something that you give time to that you are not particularly passionate about?
I tend to try to give my time to the things I am passionate about. I suppose one time waster would definitely be television, but that is an off-and-on-again occurrence.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your commitment to charity, church, and God? These things should be thought through separately. Why do you think that answers might differ for each one?
Charity – 5
Church – 7
God – 8.5
These are areas that I am currently working on. My giving definitely needs to be more consistent. It has been hard to plug into my church because it is very far away, but I am trying. For God, well, like Paul says, “the things that I want to do I don’t do.”
Read the following verse:
”The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
How is the treasure in the passage described?
Treasure is described as a physical item of value.
What is the treasure?
The treasure represents the kingdom of heaven.
Which words did Jeff draw upon to say that the Kingdom of God is both priceless and expensive?
The opening message on Treasure explained how some people see life as balanced where God fits into their lives as a part of the bigger picture. The message challenged us to see that Jesus calls us to a life where we are as fanatical about Jesus as some people are about their sports teams. It was even said that compared to our love for Jesus, all other loves should look like hatred (Luke 14).
Do you understand the term Kingdom of God? What is a Kingdom? How is it different than a republic or democracy? Describe what the Kingdom of God might have meant to Jesus’ listeners.
By Kingdom of God, we are citizens to a place that God is preparing for us, yet the kingdom is made up of people. God will rule it judiciously. Jesus’ listeners thought that he was bringing in an actual Kingdom in the physical realm.
How can God’s rule in our lives and in our world be so easily brushed aside?
We are very apt to just go our own way and forget about God.
Evaluate whether your life, your neighborhood, or your city reflects the Kingdom of God.
I think my life usually reflects the Kingdom of God.
Create a specific plan, individually or as a group to bring more of God’s rule to areas of your life and your neighborhood.
Go and do ministry! More steadily support my churches.
Was Jesus interested in a private personal kingdom or a global kingdom that changed how people lived their day-to-day lives?
Definitely day-to-day lives.
Next Steps
The Holman Concise Bible Dictionary says that “In one sense the Kingdom will not come until some specified time in the future (see, for example, Matt. 25:1-46). Jesus also said that there is a sense in which the Kingdom had come in his own time: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15) …
Jesus regularly invited people to join the Kingdom of God, that is to open their lives up to the ruling of God. He invited everyone.”
In what ways does Jesus rule already take place? In what ways might it become complete in the future?
Jesus already rules in our hearts but a time is coming when he will reign on Earth.
In Matthew 19:24 Jesus says that it is hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom. Why?
They do not see the need for a King. For them, their money can get them anywhere they need to go.
Why would Tax-collectors and prostitutes more quickly give up everything and make Jesus their king? Why would moral and religious people actually find themselves outside of the Kingdom (Matt. 21:31)?
tax collectors and prostitutes are already broken, and more easily see God’s truth. Religious people need to be healed of their self-righteousness.
• Treasures evoke a picture of the things I have stored up in my life, including relationships, memories and things.
• I don’t always feel passionate about work. I give about 10 hours a week to it, but I don’t really enjoy being there.
• My commitment to charity (although a somewhat vague term) is probably around a 7. Church (also a vague term) is probably a 6. God? It’s hard to say. I would hope that it’s at least an 8, but I know that it differs in different parts of my life.
• The treasure is the kingdom of heaven.
• It is hard for me to define this term. I think it means God’s rule in my life.
• A kingdom seems to be a power and influence directing people. Could thse people have understood it as God’s influence and power in their lives?
• I do it every day when I leave God out of the little things in my life, choosing only to pray to Him when big things arise. It’s completely prideful.
• Do we truly desire God’s rule in our lives ever? I pray that God would teach me to submit to Him in everythign in my life, but I am growing in that and have not reached completion. What steps can I take to further this? I believe prayer is the most important component. Learning to bring all of my needs to God and not leave Him out of the little things is a discipline.
• Jesus was not interested in ruling over the physical country. That much is obviously by the expectations that they had for Him that He did not fulfill. Rather, he wanted to rule over their lives.
• Jesus has already conquered sin! However, we still live in a world where people’s lives are controlled by their sin and we are still waiting on God to rule over even the earth.
• Riches are distracting. We so easily depend on them for security rather than the Lord. However, they are useless and fleeting in the end!
• They recognize their complete depravity and need for His salvation! However, those who think they are good feel as if they don’t need the Lord.
• When I think of treasure in movies I think of gold and jewels that are worth a lot of money. When I think of treasure in real life, I think of things that are one-of-a-kind and have special significance.
• There are many things in life that I do but don’t feel passionate about.
• I would rate my commitment to charity at about a 4, church a 9, and God a 9. The answers differ because charity and church are results of being committed to God.
• Treasure is described as something that is worth more than everything someone owns.
• Treasure is whatever you deem important and valuable in your life.
• Imagination, precious, costly, and sacrifice.
• A kingdom is the people and place that a king rules over. It is different from a republic or a democracy because the king makes all the decisions, not the people. The kingdom of God would have meant that it would be like the political system they were used to, only God would be the king instead of the earthly rulers that they had and were used to.
• God’s rule in our lives and world can be easily brushed aside because He is not visible and audible, so it is a choice we have to make to listen to Him.
• I try to make my life reflect the kingdom of God, but I don’t always do a good job of it. My neighborhood (back home) doesn’t really reflect the kingdom of God, and neither does most of Chicago.
• I need to spend more time in the Word and listening to God, and praying about both big and small decisions.
• Jesus was interested in a global kingdom that changed how people lived their day-to-day lives.
• Jesus’ rule already takes place in the lives and hearts of Christians. It will become complete in the future when He returns and everyone believes because He is physically ruling over the world.
• It is hard for rich people to enter the kingdom because they are more focused on their physical, material things than on God and worshiping Him. Also, they don’t want to give up what they have here to follow God.
• Tax-collectors and prostitutes more quickly give up everything and make Jesus their king because they don’t have much, and what they do have is not great, so they realize that Jesus is so much better than what they have now. Moral and religious people actually find themselves outside the kingdom because they think that being religious is what gets them into the kingdom, and so they don’t give anything up and make Jesus their king.
• When you think of treasure in the movies or in your everyday life, what comes to mind?
When I think of treasures I think of my immaterial things like my family and friends. For material things I think of sacred objects like my snow globe from Austria and things that hold a lot of memories to me.
• Jeff Griffin, in his series opener on Treasure (www.chapel.org or click on the picture above) talked about his half-hearted commitment to the Red Sox. Is there something that you give time to that you are not particularly passionate about?
I can definitely spend time watching TV shows I care nothing about. There also subjects in school I have taken that I have no passion for.
• On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your commitment to charity, church, and God? These things should be thought through separately. Why do you think that answers might differ for each one?
Charity=8, Church=8, God=9. I think they might differ because Church and Charity are actions that we do out of belief whereas believing in God is integral to everything else. I want God to be a 10 and it is something I am striving toward.
• How is the treasure in the passage described?
Like a hidden treasure that one finds.
• What is the treasure?
The Kingdom of Heaven
• Which words did Jeff draw upon to say that the Kingdom of God is both priceless and expensive?
Precious, costly, imaginative and sacrifice.
• Do you understand the term Kingdom of God? What is a Kingdom? How is it different than a republic or democracy? Describe what the Kingdom of God might have meant to Jesus’ listeners.
A kingdom is a domain where one ruler (a king) has complete dominion. All people in it are subject to his rule and authority. Unlike a republic or democracy, the ruler is not voted in but rule is passed through the family. They are not elected but rather rule through a family. The phrase would have evoked memories of the splendor of King David and Solomon.
• How can God’s rule in our lives and in our world be so easily brushed aside?
Because sadly, the spiritual realm is easy to brush aside when we are not actively involved in it on a daily basis.
• Evaluate whether your life, your neighborhood, or your city reflects the Kingdom of God.
In some ways it does because we are living in the Kingdom of God but I know that there is so much more to come.
• Create a specific plan, individually or as a group to bring more of God’s rule to areas of your life and your neighborhood.
I need to relinquish everything to God every day to allow Him to work in my life. I want to allow God to rule even more of my finances, how involved I am in things and with where my future lies. I want it to be completely up to Him and for Him to lead those decisions.
• Was Jesus interested in a private personal kingdom or a global kingdom that changed how people lived their day-to-day lives?
Both.
• In what ways does Jesus rule already take place? In what ways might it become complete in the future?
He is ruling in the hearts of believers but when he comes on the throne he will be ruling on a physical throne.
• In Matthew 19:24 Jesus says that it is hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom. Why?
The more you have the harder it is to give it up to God.
• Why would Tax-collectors and prostitutes more quickly give up everything and make Jesus their king? Why would moral and religious people actually find themselves outside of the Kingdom (Matt. 21:31)?
Prostitutes and tax-collectors in a way have less to lose. A believer needs to put everything before God and have nothing in the way. A rich person stands more to lose because they have more to put before God.
-i think of sports, exercise, school, family, and God
-some are earthly pleasures that God gives, and some are spiritual
-4, 5, 8…they are different because I really focus on my relationship with God but sometimes I dont really focus on some of the ways that will please Him that he talks about in the Bible
-hidden in a field!
-Heaven!
-value beyond what we could ever imagine
-the kingdom of God will be the most incredible thing ever where we will all fall down before the feet of Jesus and worship Him. Nothing like a democracy or any other kind of government form here on earth.
-they have a lot more to give up in life!
-global
– treasure makes me think of money, as well as things that cannot be replaced like family and friends
– I have had many classes in the past, especially ones in high school that I have not been passionate about, but I have chosen to dedicate a lot of time to.
– I would say that my commitment to charity is a 4 because I am not that good about giving, but I would say that my commitment to church is an 8 because I am very passionate about attending church every week. I think my commitment to the Lord is a 9- even though I often fail him, the goal of everything I do in my life is ultimately to honor and glorify him
– Treasure is described as something that you would give all of your possestions to have, and the treasure is the kingodom of God
– Sometimes I have a hard time really grasping what the kingdom of God means, but I think Jesus’ listerners would have had a better idea since they were living in the time of the dominant Roman Kingdom
– I think Jesus was interested in a private and global kingdom
– Jesus rule already takes place in the sense that he is already ultimately in control of all things, but it will be fufilled in the future when he physically reigns on earth
– I think tax collectors and prostitutes were willing to more readily make Jesus their King because they realized thier desperate need for him, but moral religous people often think they have it all figured out.
• When you think of treasure in the movies or in your everyday life, what comes to mind?
I think about money when I think of treasure
• Jeff Griffin, in his series opener on Treasure (www.chapel.org or click on the picture above) talked about his half-hearted commitment to the Red Sox. Is there something that you give time to that you are not particularly passionate about?
One of the thing that I am not particularly passionate about is working.
• On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your commitment to charity, church, and God? These things should be thought through separately. Why do you think that answers might differ for each one?
I would give 3 to charity, 8 to church and…. 8… to God……………
We cannot measure commitment to God by charity and church.
• How is the treasure in the passage described?
Treasure hidden in a field.
• What is the treasure? The Kingdom of heaven
• Which words did Jeff draw upon to say that the Kingdom of God is bothpriceless and expensive?
Treasure