Teaching

Seek and Find: Discuss pursuing God’s kingdom first.

Let’s say our SuperVerse together—Matthew 6:33:

In Large Group, you were asked to think about whether God’s kingdom was a place we could visit on earth—like you could visit a castle. Do you think so? No? Well then, where is God’s kingdom? Children respond.

In John 18:36, Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world. His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical or earthly one. It is located in the hearts of all who serve Him. Jesus came down from heaven to live and minister in the world as a human being. He lived His life perfectly, obeying God’s will and following His Word. People could look at Jesus and see what God is like. In this way, the world would witness heaven’s kingdom on earth. When we believe in Jesus and live according to God’s will and God’s Word, we experience His kingdom on earth, in our hearts and lives. This is what it means to live righteously. We can never live a perfect life as Jesus did; yet, we can seek to obey Him and trust in Jesus’ righteousness to please God.

Those who choose to make Jesus the Lord of their lives willingly obey him and let Him rule over their hearts. To seek God’s kingdom means to seek to do His will rather than follow our own desires. Can someone say the SuperTruth from memory? I will seek God above all else.

Simon the magician became a believer in Jesus, yet he continued to put his own interests and desires above God’s. When Simon offered money to buy God’s power, Peter said that his heart was not right. Simon wanted God’s power to impress and entertain people and to make money. Is that how we should use God’s power? No.

We want to use it for God’s kingdom by sharing the Gospel, so people choose to follow Him. When God’s power is unleashed on earth, we see His will being done as people are saved, healed, and set free. As a result, God’s kingdom expands on earth. Let us seek God for the right reasons—to draw closer to Him and to do His will on earth!

Each day, people make choices of how they will spend their time and energy—what they will seek and focus on. Simon focused on these things. Hold up the three balloons and choose three volunteers, each to read the word on one balloon: FAME, POSSESSIONS, POWER.

Many people today still seek after these same things instead of God’s kingdom. The sad part is that these things are temporary—they won’t last. Pop each balloon. (Remember that many children with special needs are afraid of the loud noise balloons make when they pop—adjust your presentation accordingly.)

Was anything inside the balloons? No, they were empty.

Exactly. Even if someone manages to get one or all of these things, their lives will still be empty. Hold up the GOD’S KINGDOM balloon and ask a volunteer to read the words on it.

Let’s see what happens when we seek God’s kingdom above all of these other things. Pop the balloon, and the cards will scatter.

Was this balloon empty? No!

Gather the cards. Let’s see what we receive when we seek God first. Give a card to five different children who are good readers to read the words aloud:

1. SALVATION AND FORGIVENESS

2. PROVISION AND HIS PRESENCE

3. PURPOSE, DIRECTION, AND WISDOM

4. PEACE, HOPE, AND JOY

5. LOVE, MERCY, AND HEALING

Briefly discuss each one and how they benefit and practically apply to us.

It is amazing what God provides for us when we seek Him first—and these are just a few examples! Not only will we have everything we need in this world, but we are also blessed with His presence forever in heaven! God’s blessings will never fade away or disappear! When we seek God’s kingdom first, does it mean that everything in our lives will go smoothly, and we won’t have any more problems? No.

The disciples faced rejection and persecution simply because they followed Jesus. However, God promises to give us all that we need, even in the midst of adversity and difficulties. The Apostle Paul talked about how God is faithful to supply all we need.

Read Philippians 4:19 (NLT):

Now let’s apply what we have learned about seeking God in our Discipleship Challenge!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed Lesson 1 a Seeker Scroll Pattern. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them assemble the craft at home. Hold up the sample craft.

Raise your hand if you prayed for the Holy Spirit to give you understanding before you read 1 Chronicles 16:11–12. Children respond.

Let’s briefly discuss your thoughts about the two questions from the first challenge.

1. How is seeking God’s face different from coming to Him for things we need or want? To draw closer and to spend time with Him, rather than asking Him for anything. Can someone please share about how you prayed during the challenge? Children respond.

2. What are some ways we can seek God’s face? By spending time in prayer and worship, praising Him for who He is—His holiness, and there is no one like Him, and He is above all. How can seeking God in this way build our faith in Him? Realize His greatness and power—that He is above the earth and far greater than anything we face. We more deeply understand His love for us.

Give a volunteer the scroll to read aloud the second challenge title. “Seek what God desires.”

For our second challenge, instead of praying for your desires like personal wants or needs in your prayer time each day, seek what God desires instead. Ask Him what will please Him and what His will for your life is. What does the SuperVerse for today say will happen when we seek Him above all else? He will give us everything we need.

The second part of this challenge is to read Psalm 37:4 each day and ask the Holy Spirit to give you an understanding of what it means and how it applies to seeking God’s desires. Discuss the verse with your family, if possible. Then, answer the two challenge questions and try to memorize Psalm 37:4 because it is not very long. We will discuss all of this the next time we meet.