Some Kingdom Parable Ideas and Resources:
1. A-V Workshop
"Matthew" DVD, this 'Visual Bible' video has the book of Matthew word for word and therefore, shows TWO of these four parables.
For A-V I'd also bring in a video camera and have the students dramatize these videos. I'd split them into four groups. Each group would have to dramatize it "straight" (Bible version) and also in a modern version (translating the pearl into some highly desirable object from today). This would also force them to think about what images Jesus might use today to help us understand the significance he was driving at when he used "leaven" and "mustard seed" in his day.
2. Cooking Workshop
Leaven is an obvious thing to use to illustrate something that's seemingly INVISIBLE yet makes something common like flour expand and get tasty. I'm also wondering what "treasure" you could bake that would have a "surprise" in the middle.
3. Bible Games Workshop
I'm thinking each of these verses could be part of a "Kingdom Olympics" competition to play after a good Bible study.
Memorize these parables!
Unlike many other sayings, THESE from the lips of Jesus have strong visuals which convey the meaning of what he was trying to teach about the Kingdom. Each will continue to unfold new meaning as well.
What these verses do NOT explain, however, is what the the Kingdom of God IS, or WHY you'd want to possess it (buy the field, so to speak, or care that it grew into a large bush). This is something the Bible study portion of the lesson needs to focus on. Jesus' metaphors only explain what the Kingdom is LIKE, not exactly what is IS.
Mustard Seed and Leaven:
Luke: 13:18 He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." 20 And again he said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
Pearl and Treasure:
Matthew 13:44-52
44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
