Kingdom Alignment Part 7 with Discussion Guide

Kingdom Alignment Part 7 Discussion Guide

Summary

In this sermon from Matthew 6:19-21, the pastor explores what it means to truly value the right things in life. Using Jesus’s teaching on treasure, He unpacks the idea that earthly possessions, achievements, and comforts are all temporary. Whether it is technology becoming obsolete, homes wearing out, or bodies aging, nothing on earth lasts forever. The pastor draws on Ecclesiastes to reinforce this point, reminding the group that investing solely in earthly things ultimately feels meaningless.

The heart of the message is found in Jesus’s words: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The pastor emphasizes that our hearts follow our investments, not the other way around. When we consistently invest in things with eternal value, such as loving people, acts of generosity, sharing the gospel, and deepening our relationship with God, our hearts align more closely with God’s kingdom. The sermon challenges listeners to honestly examine what receives their best attention, energy, and affection, and to intentionally invest in what will last forever.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us together today. As we open your Word and discuss what it means to treasure the right things, we ask that you soften our hearts and open our eyes. Help us to set aside distractions and personal agendas, and give us the courage to be honest with one another and with you. May your Spirit guide our conversation and reveal whatever you want each of us to take away from this time together. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What is one possession or hobby you were really excited about at some point in your life that now seems much less important to you?

Key Verses

Matthew 6:19-21
Colossians 3:1-4
Proverbs 4:23
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Questions

Jesus says, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ What do you think it means that our hearts follow our treasure, rather than the other way around?
The pastor listed several things people commonly treasure, such as success, comfort, security, family, reputation, and achievements. Which of these do you find most tempting to place above your relationship with God, and why?
The writer of Ecclesiastes describes a life of pursuing earthly pleasures and accomplishments as ‘chasing after the wind.’ Have you ever experienced that feeling of emptiness after achieving or acquiring something you thought would satisfy you? What was that like?
The pastor described investing in things with eternal value, such as loving people well, acts of mercy, generosity, and sharing the gospel. Which of these feels most natural to you, and which feels most challenging?
The story from the student in Guatemala illustrated how one small investment, an online Bible course offered for free, had a profound and lasting impact on her life. Can you think of a time when someone made a small investment in you that had a big eternal impact?
Paul writes in Colossians 3 to ‘set your hearts on things above.’ What are some practical habits or rhythms that help you keep your heart focused on God rather than on earthly things?
The pastor suggested asking yourself three honest questions: What receives your best attention? What gets your best energy? What gets your best affection? How would you answer those questions right now, and what do your answers reveal?
The sermon connects treasure to worship, saying that whatever occupies first place in our hearts is ultimately what we worship. How does understanding treasure as a worship issue change the way you think about your daily priorities and decisions?

Life Application

This week, take a few quiet moments to honestly ask yourself: What receives my best attention, my best energy, and my best affection? Write down your answers and bring them before God in prayer. Then, make one intentional investment in something with eternal value. This could be encouraging someone who is struggling, serving a neighbor, sharing your faith, or carving out dedicated time with God. Let this be a concrete step toward aligning your heart with what truly lasts.

Key Takeaways

Earthly treasures are temporary. Whether it is possessions, technology, health, or status, everything on earth is subject to decay and loss, and placing ultimate hope in these things will eventually feel meaningless.
Our hearts follow our treasure, not the other way around. What we consistently invest in shapes what we become and what we ultimately worship, making it critical to invest in things with eternal value.
Heavenly treasure is formed through eternal investments such as loving people well, acts of generosity and mercy, sharing the gospel, and deepening our relationship with God. These are things that death cannot touch.
Guarding the heart is central to kingdom living. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that everything flows from the heart, which is why Jesus spends so much of the Sermon on the Mount calling us to examine what is happening on the inside.
When God holds first place in our lives, everything else falls into better alignment. A heart rightly ordered around God leads to a fuller, more abundant experience of the life He intends for us.

Ending Prayer

Lord, thank you for this time together and for the truth of your Word. We confess that it is easy to let the things of this world crowd out what truly matters. We ask that you gently loosen our grip on the temporary and draw our hearts toward what is eternal. Help us to invest our time, energy, and affection in ways that reflect your kingdom. May our hearts follow you above all else, and may the way we live this week be a reflection of what we truly treasure. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.