Last night we reflected back on Matthew 5 before advancing to the next chapter. We developed an understanding of what the Gospel of the Kingdom is and how Jesus taught it and preached it. We addressed questions like: What is the Kingdom of God? What is its ‘good news’? and How do we live there right now? This sparked a great deal of conversation and seeking during small groups.
In order to live as a disciple, we must:
- Understand the Gospel of the Kingdom
- Decide/desire to live there
These were the two important precursors that we focused on last night. Our prayer is that all the kids would gain an accurate picture and understanding of what the Kingdom of God is and how it applies to them. And that they would greatly desire to live fully in this Kingdom. Join us in this prayer over them! The kingdom of darkness is a real force that is constantly warring to influence the Church. We must stand firm in the Kingdom of Light and decide to live there more completely.
Here is a short document that addresses some of the things that we talked about last night. This was handed to just the leaders to help guide conversation and understand terms and topics more accurately (it is meant to be a starting point to begin to reflect and comprehend these things more completely). Check it out and use it to develop an understanding of the Gospel of the Kingdom with your kids!
The Gospel of the Kingdom
Definitions:
- Gospel – good news
- Kingdom – “Basileia” royal power, dominion; not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
- Righteousness – right standing with God; approval of God (having met His standards)
- Disciple (specifically in a Christian sense) – someone who is with Jesus and learning to be like Him
- Eternal life – a type of life, specifically that which exists in the Kingdom of God (this is a qualitative life, as opposed to “infinite life” which would be a quantitative life)
Steps to discipleship
- Understand the Gospel of the Kingdom
- Determine to live there (become a citizen)
- Engage in discipleship (disciplines)
- Etc.
What is the Kingdom of God?
The place where the Eternal life and love of God has a perfect and unenforced dominion.
What is the good news?
This kingdom is now entirely available and within our grasp.
How do I live here (access this Kingdom)?
We live in the Kingdom by becoming like a citizen of such a place where the love and life of God has an unenforced perfect reign. This is the message of the Gospel: that we can presently live in the glorious Kingdom of God and experience eternal life. “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
When we plunge ourselves into the knowledge of God, we become intimate with the very source of the life of the Kingdom, and begin to live in it. Eternal life is a quality of life which we partake of when the reality of the Trinity is applied to our lives and energizes our soul. We become the person who naturally and without thinking does what Jesus would do.
Key verses: Matthew 4:17, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 17:3, Luke 17:20-21, 2 Peter 1:4
God Bless,
Dylan
