A Model Citizen
More than almost anything else, Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God and that it was now available to everyone. He explained that those who trust Him become citizens of that Kingdom. Jesus also compared the Kingdom to a great treasure that someone would sell all they own to obtain. But what, exactly, is that treasure? We’ll discuss the treasure, what it looks like, how it affects us, and what we need to do to make it our own.
Discussion Questions
Read Matt 3:1-2, Matt 4:17, Matt 10:5-7, Lk 4:42-43. What was the consistent message going out from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the people Jesus sent out?
Read Mt 13:44-46. Why did the man and the merchant in the parable sell their possessions? Why would someone sell everything they had? What must they be thinking to take this action? For what treasure would you sell all you have?
Read John 8:12, John 9:5, John 1:1-5. What is being said by or about Jesus in these passages? Now read Matt 5:14-16 and Eph 5:8-10. What’s being said about us, as believers in Jesus, in these passages? Focus on Eph 5:8. What’s true of children in relationship to their parents? Why is Eph 5:10 added to the two verses before it? What does it mean?
Read Matt 6:33, Col 3:1-2. What are we told we are to do? How do we seek God (see Col 3:2, Rom 8:5-6, Ps 1:2-3). How do we do that?
Further Reading
The Final Victory
Jesus is distinct from any other political leader. He is God in the flesh. He is a coming King. He will bring earthly powers into account. He will win the final victory. It’s not unusual these days to hear people ask, “Is this the end times.” Maybe. God tells us what...
The Kingdom of God Now
The kingdoms and empires of this world are small compared to God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is active now. It sometimes operates in obscurity and ordinariness. It is unseen but real nonetheless. And God invites us to participate in this kingdom—to make seeking His...
Vote for Jesus
It seems clear that Jesus wants to shape culture. To ultimately transform the conscience and morality of a people. His disciples anticipated that Jesus was about to establish a political machine capable of toppling the Roman Empire. But that’s not what Jesus did. The...