Study 4: The Pearl

Matthew 13:44-46

Monday 21^st to Sunday 27^th February, 2011

Introduction

Have you ever thought of giving up on Christianity? What caused you to feel this way? Why didn’t you give up?

Studying the passage - Read Philippians 3:1 - 4:1

1) What did Paul take pride in before he knew Christ? What other things do people take pride in today? What do you take most pride in?

2) Are the things of this world of any value? Explain your answer. Why then do we value them so much? How might “earthly things” be considered dangerous? What does Paul want the Philippians to focus on instead of these “earthly things”?

3) Paul describes himself as not yet “perfect” in verse 12. Describe what perfection looks like according to the passage. Would you describe yourself as perfect? Why, why not?

4) Summarise what Paul wants the Philippians to think and feel. Describe how important this is to Paul?

Read Matthew 13:44-46

5) What do the two parables have in common? In your own words, explain the main point of the parables.

6) In Philippians 3, Paul described some dangers facing Christians (see question 2 above). Where have we seen these dangers so far in Matthew? (Hint: Matthew 6:19-24, 7:13, 9:9-13, 13:20-22. See also Matthew 19:16-22.) How do the parables address these dangers?

7) Summarise how these parables help us in times of doubt or persecution?

Response

The man “in joy went and sold all that he had” (Matthew 13:44). Earlier Jesus had told his disciples to “rejoice and be glad” when suffering for His sake (Matthew 5:11-12). Likewise, Paul tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4. See also Romans 5:3). How often would others describe you as joyful? Why? What would help you to be more joyful?

Spend some time thanking God for the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus” and for the precious gift of “righteousness that comes from God and is by faith” (Philippians 3:8-9).