Object Lesson About the Kingdom of Heaven

Teaching kids about the kingdom of heaven? Present object lessons based on this passage from Matthew 13:44-46. The simplicity of Jesus' parables will make it easy for kids to understand and apply to their own lives.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Kingdom of Heaven Object Lessons

You could teach this as a two-part lesson or present them together. For supplies you need a shoebox decorated to look like a treasure box, change or paper money, a shallow tub of dirt, fake pearls.

Scatter the dirt in the tub and hide the pearl in the soil. Place the tub at your teaching station. Put the coins or money inside the box and hide the box in your room. Say: "Let's read the verse together. Let’s read it normal first, then let's read it 'under water style.'" (That’s just rubbing your fingers over your lips, up and down.)

After you read the passage say, "Wow! Jesus is teaching us about the Kingdom of Heaven. In the first part he's telling us about the attitude we should have about finding his kingdom. We should be willing to give everything to have it. Let's pretend that I gave all my money, all my treasure just to buy a deed to this room. That means everything in the room is mine! Guess what? There is a treasure here!" (Bring out the treasure box and show it to the kids.)

"Look inside guys. We’ve got all kinds of treasures here. Thank goodness I bought this room or I wouldn’t have this box of goodies."

(Show the dirt.) "This looks like plain old dirt, doesn't it? Grimy, dirty dirt. But there is more here than meets the eye. Who wants to volunteer to get a little dirty?" Pick a volunteer. "Okay, roll up your sleeves and find the treasure." (Wait for the child to find the treasure.) "Good job! See how easy that was? Finding the kingdom of heaven is just as easy."