Ready for Impact (10 minutes)
Catch up on how things have been since the last time your Impact Group met. Allow anyone new to introduce themselves. Then ask group members to:
- Tell the story of a time when you came across something of real value. (e.g. a bargain item in a charity shop, finding money in an old coat, or something on Vinted).
Ask for a volunteer to read Matthew 13:44-46 to the group, praying a short prayer that – however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d get to know him better as a result of your time together.
Watch
Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)
- Fill in the table drawing out similarities and differences between the two parables.
| Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|
- These men sell everything they own and with great joy! Why do you think they act like this?
- Jesus paid the cost of his life, so that we could be his. How do these parables give us a picture of that?
- How do you respond to the idea of being Jesus’ treasured possession?
When we understand how much Jesus treasures us, we’ll treasure him and his kingdom.
- What might it look like for you to joyfully give everything for the sake of his kingdom?
- Why do you think many Christians struggle with the idea of giving up things for Jesus’ kingdom?
The video outlined the two main views when it comes to understanding Jesus’ parable. One is that we are the seeker and the treasure is Christ and his kingdom. The other is that Christ is the seeker and we are the treasure of his kingdom.
Both interpretations have Scriptural support from elsewhere. Some Bible verses emphasise that having Christ and being in his kingdom is paramount (see, for example, Luke 9:23-24, Acts 4:12, Philippians 3:7-9, 1 Peter 1:18-19). Others emphasise Jesus’ commitment to seek and save the lost because we are unable to help ourselves (e.g. Luke 19:10, Romans 3:10-11, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 2:5-8, Revelation 5:8-9).
Jesus probably had one of these meanings particularly in mind as he told his parable. But Jesus probably designed some of his parables to have multiple layers of meaning. As the video made clear, the two interpretations aren’t miles away from each other. Ultimately, we treasure Christ to the utmost when we understand how he has treasured us.
Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)
Encourage group members to examine their own hearts in the light of these parables:
- If we build our lives around what we treasure most, what does your life reveal about you?
- How might Jesus be addressing you through these parables?
Give people space to reflect. You may wish to play Jesus my Beloved in the background.
Spend some time responding in prayer.
If you’re able to sing in your group time, why not consider some of the following songs: Unending Love, My Treasure, Knowing You Jesus
Impacting the University (15 minutes)
As we’ve been thinking, we all build our lives around that which we desire most.
Most TV programmes and films encourage us to desire certain things, and to find ‘the good life’ in certain places. This gives us real opportunities to talk with others about where they think life is truly found.
Think of a TV series or film that is popular among your friends. Then use these questions to briefly discuss some of the ideas in the series/film.
- What does it tell us is worth treasuring?
- How does it say this treasure can be found?
- Where do you agree?
- Where do you disagree?
- How does Jesus offer a better alternative?
Make a plan. In the next week who could you invite to film night? Could you organise something with others from your Impact Group? What question might you ask as the film/series ends to try and go deeper in conversation?
Share how you get on next week.
Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮
Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.
Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!