Welcome to the Parable of the Great Pearl, based on the scripture found in Matthew 13:45-46.
In a world like ours which places such importance on having things, this story gives us a chance to explore the greatest treasure one can possess: God’s kingdom and a relationship with God. What does it mean to sell all that we have to obtain this treasure? I bet the kids can help us figure this out.

The wondering questions are in the book. They include:
1. I wonder if the person was happy with the great pearl.
2. I wonder what the merchant is going to do now.
3. I wonder why the seller was willing to give up something so precious.
4. I wonder if the seller has a name.
5. I wonder if the merchant has a name.
6. I wonder what the great pearl could really be?
7. I wonder what could be so precious that a person would exchange everything for it?
8. I wonder if you have ever come close to the great pearl.
9. I wonder where this whole place could really be.

Thank you for having an adult take time to jot down the children’s responses to these questions.

Idea Sparkers for Our Give a Gift to God Time:
1. Make a “pearl” necklace. Hobby shops (Michaels, Hobby Lobby) has fake pearls that you can string. Each student could make themselves a necklace using one pearl and yarn, along with whatever other work they choose to do today.

2. What does the kingdom of God look like? What makes it such a priceless treasure?
Children could draw a mural together or individual pictures. What could they show people doing in the kingdom of God? Is nature in the kingdom of God? How are people treating nature and each other?

3. Children could make their own parable set, so they can retell this parable.

4. Make/buy a “pearl” snack to share. Maybe vanilla wafers to make the oyster shell and then frosting in between with a pearl of a dot of white frosting or a white jelly bean?

See more ideas on my Pinterest page, here.

Thanks, y’all!
Becky