Directions – September-October 2022
The sanctity of life deals with hidden treasure. A person’s worth and purpose do not always appear obvious. God’s truth and Christ’s love locate and celebrate that value where others often overlook it. In fact, the incarnation of our Savior Lord establishes this pattern. The Almighty Maker disguises His divine majesty and might in human humility and gentle servanthood. Even the parables of Jesus have the same character. A simple and ordinary story smuggles in a profound and powerful Gospel.
Our Heavenly Father delights in hide-and-seek. Camouflaging surprises and burying treasures brings several advantages but also presents certain challenges. With a parable specifically about the experience, He invites us—everyone—into the fun.
Look up Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35. What is a parable? What are some of its benefits, and why do you think Jesus employed them? What can we learn from this practice about sanctity-of-life advocacy and dialogue?
Read Matthew 13:3-9. What do you think He means by “the kingdom of heaven”? (Check also Matthew 3:2.) Does it resemble more a place, a person, a time, a state, or an activity? Why?
Read Matthew 13:18-23. Who takes the initial and primary action and serves as the main character in this “guided practice” example? Consult also Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. How do they correspond? What can this tell us about our relationship with God—and where the sanctity of human life comes from?
What or whom does the ground embody in the parables?
Why do you think Jesus finds illustrations about cultivation so appropriate? (See Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:26-29, Luke 13:6-9, and 1 Corinthians 3:6.) How can this encourage us in our sanctity-of-life speaking and serving?
Turn to Matthew 13:44. Why do you think the man hid the treasure? What about the sanctity of life sometimes seems hidden? What about this actually enhances our appreciation for a person’s worth?
Why do you think the man bought the whole field? Would you say he overspent? What can this tell us about the value of a human life?
Following the paradigm revealed the in first two parables (Matthew 13:3-9 and 13:24-30), can you identify the man who sold all he had to obtain the treasure? And can you also identify who or what constitutes the treasure? How does this inspire our love for our Heavenly Father? How does it inform our love for neighbors?