LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus offers two brief but profound parables to help his followers grasp the surpassing worth of God’s kingdom. In the first, a man working in a field unexpectedly uncovers a hidden treasure. Overwhelmed with joy at what he has found, he buries it again, goes home, and sells every possession he owns in order to purchase that field. His sacrifice is not reluctant or heavy, it is joyful. He counts everything he had as nothing compared to what awaits him. The second parable follows a merchant who has spent his life searching for fine pearls. When he finally encounters one of extraordinary value, he does not hesitate. He liquidates all that he has accumulated in order to acquire this single pearl.
Together, these two parables paint a picture of the kingdom of God as something so magnificent, so utterly without equal, that no earthly possession, relationship, or comfort can compare to it. One man stumbles upon it unexpectedly while another finds it after a lifetime of searching. Yet both respond the same way: with total, wholehearted surrender. Jesus is teaching that when we truly see the kingdom for what it is, giving up everything else feels less like a sacrifice and more like the obvious, even joyful, response. As teachers and leaders, these parables are an invitation for us to examine our own hearts and ask whether God truly holds the place of greatest worth in our lives.
PLAY ROOM 8:45-9:00
Children will be dropped off in the playroom between 8:45-9:00 a.m. Allow them to play freely as they arrive. Transition them to the classroom at 9:00 a.m.
OPENING ACTIVITY 9:00-9:15 | Pearl and Playdoh Dig (Or Kinetic Sand)
Items Needed:
- Kinetic sand bins or PlayDoh
- Small pearl beads
Hide small pearl colored beads the kinetic sand or Playdoh. Let children dig through the sand (or PlayDoh) with their hands to find the hidden treasures. As they discover them, say, “You found treasure! In our story today, someone found treasure too!”
BIBLE STORY 9:15-9:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? (Matthew)
Question 2: Is Matthew in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (New Testament)
Items Needed
- Treasure Chest or box
- Small crosses
Object Lesson Setup: Before the story, hide a small treasure box somewhere in the room. Tell the children you hid something very special and they will find out what it is during the story.
Friends, today we are going to hear a story that Jesus told. And this story is about something that everyone loves. Are you ready? It is about TREASURE!
Can you say treasure? [Wait for response.]
Now, before Jesus told this story, He was teaching people about something called the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is when we love God and do what He says. God is our King!
Now Jesus wanted to help people understand how amazing and wonderful the Kingdom of God is. He told them a story. A special kind of story called a parable. A parable uses something we know to teach us something true.
One day, a man was working out in a big field. He was digging in the dirt. Can you dig in the dirt with me? [Pretend to dig with a shovel. Make digging sounds.]
Dig, dig, dig! Dig, dig, dig! [Encourage children to join in the motion and sounds.]
And then… CLUNK! His shovel hit something hard. He looked down. What do you think it was? [Wait for response. Let kids guess.]
It was a TREASURE! Hidden right there in the dirt! A treasure box full of gold and beautiful things!
He was SO surprised, but he did not grab the treasure and run. He gently put it back in the dirt. He covered it up. Then he ran home as fast as he could!
Can you run in place really fast? [Let children jog in place for a few seconds. Then say:] Okay, stop! He was running home to sell everything he owned so he could buy that field.
He sold his bed. He sold his table. He sold his sandals. He sold EVERYTHING! And do you know how he felt about selling everything?
He was… happy because he knew the treasure in that field was worth so much more than all of his things.
Now Jesus told one more story. This time, it was about a man who looked for beautiful pearls.
A pearl is a tiny round gem that grows inside a shell in the ocean.
This man looked and looked and looked for the most beautiful pearl. He looked at pearls every single day. One day, he found it. The most beautiful, the most perfect, the most wonderful pearl he had ever seen!
He wanted that pearl so much that he sold EVERYTHING he had. Just like the man in the field! He gave up all he had so he could have that one precious pearl.
Now what do you think the treasure and the pearl mean? [Let kids respond.]
Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like that treasure. The Kingdom of God is like that precious pearl. It is worth MORE than anything else in the whole world. It is worth more than your favorite toy. It is worth more than all the candy in the world. It is worth MORE than everything!
When we love God and follow Jesus, we have found the greatest treasure of all.
Can you say it with me? God is my greatest treasure! [Wait for response. Do it two or three times getting louder each time.]
Now, let’s look. Remember I hid something at the beginning of class? [Retrieve the treasure box and open it together. Pull out a gem or small prize for each child or one for the group.]
This is a reminder that Jesus and His kingdom are the best treasure we could ever find.
Theological Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus used a treasure and a pearl to help people understand how special God’s kingdom is?
- What does it mean that God is our King?
Life Application Questions:
- What is something you love so much you would be sad to give it away? Do you love God even more than that?
- How can you show that God is the most important thing to you today?
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your kingdom, which is the greatest treasure we could ever find. Help us to love You most of all, above every toy and every thing we own, because You are worth everything. Amen! [Have the children say Amen together.]
WORSHIP IN SONG 9:25-9:35
PRAYER 9:35-9:45
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for the children to have hearts that treasure God above all things, asking God to help them love Him more than their favorite toys, their games, or anything else in this world, because He is the greatest treasure of all.
BIBLE STORY GAME 9:45-9:55 | Where is the Pearl?
Items Needed
- 3 Red Solo Cups
- 1 Pearl
Hide the pearl under one of the cups and mix them up. The kids take turns guessing what cup the pearl is under.
BIBLE CRAFT 9:55-10:10 | Pearl Necklace
Items Needed:
- 1 pearl per child
- White pony beads
- Plastic craft lacing or ribbon (or white pipe cleaners)
Have children string white beads onto lacing to make a simple necklace and include one pearl on it.
SNACK TIME AND BIBLE STORY VIDEO 10:10-10:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks while watching the Bible Story Video.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Magic Treasure Rocks
Items Needed
- Baking soda
- Water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Small treasures (plastic gems, coins, beads, etc.)
- Vinegar
- Bowl or tray for fizzing
How to Make
Step 1: Make the Mixture
- Combine baking soda with small amounts of water until it forms a moldable, slightly crumbly dough
- Add a few drops of food coloring if desired
Step 2: Add the Treasure
- Take a small portion of the mixture and press a treasure into the center
- Cover it with more mixture and shape it into a rock
- Make sure the treasure is fully hidden inside
Step 3: Let Them Dry
- Set the rocks aside to dry for several hours or overnight
- They’ll firm up as they dry
How to Play
- Place the dried treasure rocks in a bowl or tray
- Pour vinegar over them
- Watch as the rocks fizz and bubble, slowly revealing the hidden treasures inside
Tips
- Let rocks dry completely for the best fizzing effect
- Use a tray or shallow container to contain the mess
- Try different sizes of rocks for varied results
- Add droppers or spoons for more controlled pouring
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Matthew 13:44-46, ESV
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: God Is Treasure
What I Learned Today: Today we learned that Jesus told two special stories called parables about a man who found hidden treasure and a man who found a precious pearl. Both men gave up everything they had because what they found was worth so much more. Jesus was teaching us that God’s kingdom is worth more than anything else in the whole world, even our most favorite things.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- What is a parable? (A parable is a simple story Jesus told to teach an important truth about God.)
- What did the man in the field find? (He found a treasure hidden in the ground.)
- What did the merchant give up to buy the pearl? (He sold everything he owned to buy the one precious pearl.)
- What did Jesus say the treasure and the pearl were like? (He said they are like the Kingdom of God.)
- What does it mean to live in the Kingdom of God? (It means we love God and do what He says because He is our King.)
Life Application Questions:
- What is your most favorite thing you own? (Accept any honest answer.)
- Do you love God more than your favorite things? What makes you think so? (Encourage honest reflection.)
- How can you show God that He is the most important treasure in your life? (Answers may include praying, being kind, reading the Bible, going to church.)
- If you could only keep one thing, what would it be? Would you choose God? (Open discussion.)
- How does it feel to know that God loves you and wants you to be part of His kingdom? (Affirm and celebrate their responses.)