June 21st - Small Group Guide

June 21st - Small Group Guide

 SG Study Guide Week 1

The Treasure You Didn't Know You Needed

Matthew 13:44-46

“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.

Opening 

Share about a time when you found something unexpectedly valuable.


  • A bargain purchase 

  • A family heirloom 

  • A forgotten item 

  • An opportunity you almost missed 

What made it valuable to you?

Our culture constantly tells us that happiness and fulfillment are found in things we can see and measure:


  • More money 

  • More success 

  • More experiences 

  • More recognition 

  • More possessions 

Yet many people achieve those things and still feel something is missing.

Jesus tells a one-sentence story about a man who discovers a treasure hidden beneath the surface. That discovery changes everything.


  • Read Matthew 13:44 together.

Digging Into the Passage

1. The Treasure Was Hidden

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure buried in a field..."

The treasure already existed. The man didn't create it. He didn't earn it. He simply discovered it.

Discussion


  1. Why do you think Jesus often described the Kingdom as something hidden? 

  2. What are some things people commonly pursue in hopes of finding fulfillment? 

  3. Have you ever reached a goal or obtained something you thought would satisfy you, only to discover it didn't? 

  4. What do you think Ecclesiastes means when it says God has "set eternity in the human heart"? 

Key Truth 

There is a longing inside every person that can only be satisfied by God.

Reflection

Where are you most tempted to look for satisfaction apart from God?

2. The Treasure Changed Everything

"...that a man found..."

The moment the man discovered the treasure, his perspective changed. The field looked different. His priorities changed. His decisions changed. Everything was now viewed through the lens of what he had found.

Discussion 


  1. What changed in your life when you first began following Jesus? 

  2. How does knowing Christ change the way we view success, possessions, and achievement? 

  3. Read Philippians 3:8. 

What is Paul saying about the value of knowing Christ?


  1. Why is it possible for Christians to slowly drift back toward valuing other things more than Christ? 

Key Truth

The Kingdom doesn't make everything else worthless; it simply reveals what is most valuable.

Reflection

What competes most strongly for your attention and affection today?

3. The Treasure Produced Joyful Surrender

"Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has..." Notice the phrase: "In his joy." The man wasn't acting reluctantly. He was excited. He gladly gave up lesser things because he had found something greater.

Discussion 


  1. Why do people willingly sacrifice for things they value? 

  2. How does Jesus' picture of joyful surrender differ from how many people view Christianity? 

  3. What are some common misconceptions people have about following Jesus? 

  4. Have you experienced a time when obedience to God brought unexpected joy? 

Key Truth

Following Jesus is not primarily about what we lose; it is about what we gain.

Reflection

Do you typically think of faith as obligation or opportunity? Why?

4. The Treasure Became His Highest Priority

"...and buys that field."

The treasure became the organizing center of the man's life. Everything else was now arranged around what mattered most. This is what Jesus means when He says: "Seek first the Kingdom of God."

Discussion


  1. What does it mean to make God's Kingdom your highest priority? 

  2. How is making Jesus first different from simply adding Him to an already busy life? 

  3. What are some practical ways people can seek God's Kingdom first in: 


    • Family life? 

    • Work? 

    • Finances? 

    • Relationships? 

    • Daily schedules? 



  1. What tends to push God's Kingdom out of first place? 

Key Truth

The Kingdom is not one priority among many. It is the priority that shapes every other priority.

Reflection

If someone examined your calendar, spending habits, and daily conversations, what would they conclude matters most to you?

When you discover the true value of God's Kingdom, everything else finds its proper place.


  1. What treasure are you currently chasing? 

  2. What is one area of your life where God may be asking you to reorder your priorities? 

  3. What practical step can you take this week to seek God's Kingdom first? 

Prayer Time

Invite group members to share prayer requests around:


  • Trusting God with their priorities 

  • Letting go of lesser treasures 

  • Seeing the value of God's Kingdom more clearly 

  • Courage to put Christ first 

Memory Verse "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." Matthew 6:33