Desiring God Ministries To Be Like Jesus 2003

Themes:
God provides for all of our needs
Earthly things are only temporary
Christians are not to store up earthly treasures but rather store up heavenly treasures eternal rewards
What we treasure shows what we love
Everything that a Christian does in obedience to Christ will reap a heavenly reward
Scripture:
Luke 12:16-21; Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:25-26; 1 Timothy 6:7; John 14:1-2; 1 Peter 5:6; Luke 6:35;
Matthew 6:14; Matthew 6:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; Colossians 3:23-24a
Memory Verse: Matthew 6:20-21
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves
do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Take it to heart: Make a list of some of your favorite possessions. How much do you value these
things? How is this shown in your life? Do you value these things more than heavenly treasures? Explain.
What is the hardest struggle you have when you think of earthly treasures? What kinds of things feed
this feeling? What do commercials, movies, books, and store advertisements tell you is worth storing
up? How can you protect yourself from this in some measure? Do you do this or do you continue to feed
your appetite for earthly treasures?
Read John 14:1-4. Do you believe that this promise is true for you? Why or why not? Is it hard for you to
think about the joy you will have from something that you cannot see or fully understand now? Have you
ever had to wait and save up for something special? How did you learn to be patient and wait? What can
help you to be patient and wait for heavenly treasures?
Have you ever received something that you were really happy and excited about? Suppose you had
asked your parents for a new bike for months. One day, your parents presented you with a wonderful new
bike. Did you feel as excited about the bike a week later? A month later? Two years later? Why not? What
does this tell you about earthly treasures and the happiness they bring? Will this happen to heavenly
treasures? Why not?
Pray about it: What is your hearts treasure and delight? Think about this for a few minutes. Read
Psalm 27:4. Is this verse true for you? Is Jesus your hearts treasure and delight? How does Jesus
compare with all other things and people? Who alone can make you happy forever? Ask Jesus for a
sincere heart that loves and treasures Him above all other things. Ask Him to give you a love for heavenly
treasure. Ask Him to draw your heart away from the love of earthly things.
Parent Resource Page
Lesson 22:
STORING UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN
TO be like jesus