What’s Your Treasure?

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Upper Elementary

Lesson 13
Winter 2022-23
By: RLD Editorial Team
February 26, 2023

Lesson Focus:

God wants us to treasure Him more than anything else.

Bible Basis:

Matthew 13:44-46

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

Internet access
God is My Treasure Map printouts (1 per student; template found here) Jeanne, the PDF for this will be in the file on Box
Pens/pencils

Summary & Links:

Students will watch a video about hidden treasure as they identify what our treasures reveal about us and will chart a plan to treasure the things of God.

Memory Verse:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
—Matthew 6:33

Students will watch a video about hidden treasure as they identify what our treasures reveal about us and will chart a plan to treasure the things of God.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

Show the following video [2:16; start at 0;16; stop at 2:00]:
Searching for Hidden Treasure in Michigan

This treasure hunter found relics with historical significance and insight about the past. The items found reveal something about different time periods and people who may have owned them.

What might we learn from war artifacts like the ones shown in the video? (Answers will vary; we can learn about our country’s history; we can remember various wars and battles that are part of our history, etc.)

This treasure hunter enjoyed finding significant items from the past. Imagine a group of treasure hunters living in our town 150 years or more from now. Think about your daily schedule, where you are and what you do at various times on each day of the week.

What might their fun-finds reveal about us and what we treasure? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
If you dropped something you use at home on a weekend, something you really like, what might that be, and what will the treasure hunters learn about you? (Answers will vary.)
If you dropped something when out with your friends at school or elsewhere on a weekday—something you like a lot—what might that be, and what will the treasure hunters learn about you? (Answers will vary.)
If you dropped a list of things you want to have more than anything else in the world, what would that list reveal to the treasure hunters who find it? (Answers will vary.)

The things we own, the people we enjoy, and the activities we choose to spend time on are what we treasure in 2023. Let’s be treasure hunters this morning and look back to what Jesus explained about treasures.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Internet access
God is My Treasure Map printouts (1 per student; template found here) Jeanne, the PDF for this will be in the file on Box
Pens/pencils

Before class, print out enough of the treasure map templates (template found here) so that each student has a copy. If your class is meeting online, email the template for families to print ahead of time. Invite students to bring printouts and pens/pencils with them to class.

In today’s lesson we learned that we should treasure God above all else.

If a treasure hunting group in the future looked back on our lives, what would they find that shows them we treasured God? (Answers will vary.)
Would they find anything that shows them we treasured God above all else? (Answers will vary.)
What changes can we make to give God first place in our lives? (Answers will vary.)

Earlier you thought about your daily schedule, where you are and what you do at various times on each day of the week. Let’s revisit that idea as we create a “God Is My Treasure” Map.

Distribute treasure maps and pens or pencils (or invite students to have items ready at home).

Next to each day, write something specific that you do on that day of the week—something different from the other days. This can include people you get together with, activities you participate in, games you play, and so forth.

How can we deliberately seek God’s kingdom as our main treasure when we are doing what we do each day of the week? (Answers will vary; ask God to help us show His love to those we are with; ask God to help us honor Him in the way we act during a game or event; ask God to help us want Him as much as we want something we are buying, etc.)

On your “God Is My Treasure” Map, next to or beneath what you wrote for each day, write how you can deliberately seek God’s kingdom and treasure God first at that time.

Roll up your treasure map. Each morning this week, unroll the map, look at the treasure hunt words for that day, and remember to do what you wrote.

You may want to play this music video in the background as your preteens work [3:04]:
Seek Ye First – Maranatha! Music [with lyrics]

Close in prayer asking God to help us put Him first before anything else we might treasure.

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David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Upper Elementary