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Lesson Four                                 

The Parables of

                     the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Introduction

What is your most prized possession? How long did it take you to get enough money to buy it?

Selected reading

Matthew 13:44-46

Note: In ancient times, Jewish landowners used to divide their wealth into three parts. One part was used for their business, one part was put into the bank to earn interest and one part was buried in a secret place in a field. Sometimes workmen in the fields would come upon such a long forgotten treasure by accident. Hiding the discovery, they would try to buy the whole field in order to obtain the treasure. Jesus was probably referring to this custom.

【Mat13:44】 '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.
天国好像宝贝藏在地里。人遇见了，就把它藏起来。欢欢喜喜地去变卖一切所有的买这块地。
【Mat13:45】 'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
天国又好像买卖人，寻找好珠子。
【Mat13:46】 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
遇见一颗重价的珠子，就去变卖他一切所有的，买了这颗珠子。

Questions for discussion

1.      What did the man in the first parable find? Did he realize its value?

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2.      What did the man in the second parable find? What did he do to buy it?

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3.      How are these two parables similar? How are they different?

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4.      What do these parables teach us about the value of the Kingdom of heaven? With what kind of attitude should it be pursued?

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5.      Read John 3:16, 17. What did God give away? Why? What do you think was the “great treasure” he was seeking?

【John 3 [16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,* that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.】

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A time to reflect

1. Are you still searching for the Kingdom of heaven, or have you already found it?

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2. What would you be willing to give in exchange for the Kingdom of heaven?

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