Lesson - Parable Of The Pearl Of Great Price

VERSES:   Matthew 14:45-46

MEMORY VERSE:   Matthew 14:45   "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls."

BOOK TO REMEMBER:   Review all 27 books of the New Testament. Perhaps, it would help to sing The Books Of The New Testament (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #3. Click on orange circle to hear tune.)

PRAYER:   Pray that we will learn how valuable the church is and that we will love and appreciate it.

SPECIAL SONG:   Jesus Taught By Parable And Miracle (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #4 on this blog. Click on orange circle to hear tune.)

VISUAL AID:   Large Activity (see below)

LESSON POINTS:

• Jesus taught many parables about the kingdom of heaven, showing how precious and valuable it is. Another name for the kingdom of heaven is the church. The church is precious and valuable because Jesus paid for the church with His own blood. (Ephesians 5: 25). It is precious indeed.
• After the people went back to their cities and homes, Jesus went into the house. His disciples came to Him and asked Him about certain parables. Jesus continued teaching His disciples about the kingdom of heaven, the church, as they were sitting and standing around Him, listening to His lessons. 
• He told them that the kingdom of heaven was like a merchant man, one who bought and sold things, and was seeking or trying to find pearls of good quality. Finally, he found a good, beautiful pearl, but it was very expensive. Do you know what the merchant man did? He went and sold everything he had and, then, went back and bought that valuable pearl. 
• When we find something that we are searching for, even if it is very costly, we should do what the merchant man did and sacrifice all that we have when we find it. Sometimes, it doesn't cost money. Sometimes, it costs family and friends, ones who may not understand the value of the church. We have already studied in Matthew 6:33 about seeking the kingdom of God first--above everything else--and His righteousness and the things of this life will be given to us, things like food and clothing and shelter. We must always put God first and seek the spiritual things instead of the physical things. 

"Older Student" Tips:

• The parable of the pearl of great price and the parable of the hidden treasure are much alike, yet there is one difference. That difference is the man who found the hidden treasure simply came across the treasure , but the merchant man in the parable of the pearl of great price was actually seeking--searching for--the pearls. (Matthew 14:44-46)
  

ACTIVITY:   The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price - Sequence
Materials needed:  8.5 x 11 piece of white paper, 5" x 9" piece of any color construction paper, markers, staples, stapler, scissors.

1. Hand out white paper.
2. Fold in half, and then in half again.
3. Cut out four big circles. (These should look like pearls.)
4. One one circle, write "I am looking for pearls!" (or draw a picture).
5. On the second circle, write "I found one! I found one!" (or draw a picture).
6. On the third circle, write "I have sold all that I have!" (or draw a picture).
7. On the fourth circle, write "I have bought the pearl of great price!" (or draw a picture).
8. Hand out the 5" x 9" paper.
9. Fold paper almost in half, leaving an inch at the top.
10. Staple the two sides, leaving the top open. This is a pocket.
11. On the front of the pocket, write "The kingdom of heaven is like..." and "Matthew 14:45, 46" and, in small letters "Which comes first?"
12. Shuffle the circles.
13. Place in the proper sequence.
14. Place all circles inside pocket to take home.