Truth Taught: God’s kingdom is the most valuable treasure, and when we find it, it’s worth more than anything else in the world.
Materials:
- A small, dirty stone or plain-looking rock
- A shiny, valuable-looking gem (or a shiny gold-painted rock)
- A paper bag to hide the shiny gem
- Bible
Instructions:
- Show the children the small, plain-looking rock. Ask: Would you trade something you love for this rock? Why or why not? Let them respond, likely saying they wouldn’t because it doesn’t seem valuable.
- Now, take out the paper bag and shake it, letting them hear the sound of something inside. Say: Sometimes, things that don’t look very special can actually be very valuable. Let’s see what’s in this bag.
- Pull out the shiny, valuable-looking gem. Ask: What about this? Would you trade something valuable for this treasure? Let them answer.
- Now explain: In the Bible, Jesus told a story about a man who found something hidden, something more valuable than anything he owned. He was so excited that he sold everything he had to get it! That treasure represents God’s kingdom—following Jesus is worth more than anything else in our lives.
- Read Matthew 13:44 (NLT): “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.”
- Hold the plain rock and shiny gem again. Say: Sometimes, the things of this world seem like treasure, but they’re not as valuable as knowing and loving God. God’s kingdom might be hidden at first, but when we discover it, we find out it’s worth more than anything else!
- Conclude: Just like the man in the story gave up everything to gain the treasure, we might have to give up things in life to follow Jesus. But the treasure of knowing Jesus and being in his kingdom is worth far more than anything we give up.
Aha Moment: The visual contrast between the plain rock and the shiny gem helps children understand that what looks ordinary or hidden (like God’s kingdom) is actually incredibly valuable once discovered.