The Kingdom of God is easy to overlook – Day 3

Day 3
Matthew 13:31-32

Step One - Observe

Can you find the sheep who are interested in the mustard seed? The image below is what you will find on the poster.

Can you find the goats who are not not interested in the mustard seed?

What do you think the picture is trying to teach you about the Kingdom of God?
Did you notice the mustard seed in the second picture?

Step Two - Observe

MATTHEW 13:31-32

Click Here to read Matthew 13:31-32.

What one word or idea stood out to you and why?
What do you think Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God/Heaven?
What does it mean to overlook something?
What is something that is easy to overlook but is very dangerous? Rusty nail? Snake?
What is something that is easy to overlook but is very valuable? Diamond? Art?
What are some tasks that seem small and insignificant at the time but are very important over time? Brush your teeth? Eat well? Read your Bible?
How does it feel to be overlooked?
What are some cool things about you that are easy to overlook? (NOTE: Take some time and have everyone list something cool about each person in the group)
What are some things in the Kingdom of God that might be easy to overlook but are extremely important? the poor? children? ‘the least of these’?

Jesus had a lot of people following him (Matthew 4:25, Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 5:24, Luke 14:25). However, he knew it was much better to have just a few really good friends rather than a whole bunch of people he didn’t know very well. He chose to be very good friends with twelve guys who were not famous, or super talented or the G.O.A.T. at anything (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-19). They were like twelve small mustard seeds.

Jesus went even smaller than twelve! He was really really good friends with three of the twelve. They were Peter, James and John (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 14:32, Luke 9:28-36, Mark 5:21-43). He only invited those three to some very important meetings and to witness some amazing miracles. Jesus went even smaller than three! He was super good friends with a one simple fishman named John (John 13:23; John 19:26; John 20:2; John 21:7, John 21:20). Jesus was good friends with those who seemed small and insignificant because he knew it would have the greatest impact. Those twelve good friends of Jesus are the ones that changed the world! They were the ones who spread this new upside down Kingdom.

Step Four - Pray

Read Matthew 13:31-32 again:

How are you different after reading these verses?

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to pay attention to things that ARE really important, even if they don’t look important. Help me to see the people and things that you think are important and not overlook them. Help me to find three good friends and encourage them to love Jesus. Help me to notice and follow your Kingdom here on earth no matter what anyone else thinks about it. Amen.