Praxis: Hidden Treasure

Location: Forested area

Focus: What is really worth your wile in life? What is the true treasure?

Bible References: Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 19:16-30

Background/Setup: Go to a park and design a layout(map) of a selected area. Set up markings that are noticeable and document them on the map. Hide a treasure within the land for them to seek.

Warm up: Send the group out as individuals to search for the treasure. Have them not talk, but seek by themselves. Tell them that the first person to bring back the treasure secretly wins.

Study: Read the scripture passages. Ask them what is similar between the rich man and the person who found the treasure. What was Jesus' view o the men? Why did Jesus tell the parable? Why didn't the man in the story just steal the treasure? Do you think there are a lot of greedy people in the world?

Application: Do you think God still looks down on greed in this material world? Do you know a lot of greedy people? What is the treasure in the scripture really referring to?

Reflection: Are you greedy? What would you have done if you found the treasure? What is the treasure in your life?

by Matthew MacGregor