Jesus taught that God’s kingdom is unique and valuable.
Matthew 13:31-33,44-50
Central Truth
Evaluating the ways we spend our time will reveal our priorities. We’re often known for what we associate with—we invest time in what matters most to us. For example, if we value God’s Word, we’ll dedicate time each day to reading it. If we value godly community, we’ll do our best to plug into our local churches. We are often willing to invest ourselves in worldly things instead, showing that those things matter more to us than the things of God.
Key Question
How do your priorities reveal what is most valuable to you?
Keep in Mind
Students are taught about what is valuable on a daily basis. In their culture, social currency is most valuable. Gaining popularity, hanging out with the right friends, dating the right people, wearing the right clothing, driving the right cars—they are taught to value these things and more. And many of them will allow these ideals to take priority over valuing God’s kingdom.
We will invest in what matters to us. It is easy to make excuses for not spending time in God’s Word and in prayer. But if it matters to us—if we value these things—then we will make time. We do this out of an overflow of love and gratitude for all that Christ has done.
APPLICATION
How does knowing that god uses the seemingly small and insignificant things in this world change the way you think about your purpose?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: We each have a purpose on this earth, and our obedience to God matters more than we might realize. If we aren’t sure of your purpose, we can remind ourselves of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. God has called us to make disciples. No matter how insignificant or unqualified we may feel, God has placed each one of us exactly where He wants us.
FOR THE LEADER: Our purpose as believers is to make disciples, and we get the honor to do that with students. We don’t need to have a seminary degree or to have lived a perfect life; we simply need to be obedient to the Great Commission.
