The kingdom Jesus taught about

The castle

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”

John 18:36 (BSB)

And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:16 (BSB)

Castles were built to protect a king’s land. When Jesus stood before Pilate, He said His kingdom is not of this world. He does not need walls or armies. One day everyone will see that He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Talk about itWhat makes Jesus different from every other king?

The writing room

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Matthew 24:35 (BSB)

Before printing, people copied the Bible by hand, letter by letter, for years. Kingdoms come and go and buildings fall down, but Jesus said His words will never pass away.

Talk about itWhat is your favorite Bible story? Why?

The shepherd’s cottage

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:11 (BSB)

A good shepherd knows each sheep and protects them from wolves. Jesus said: I am the good shepherd. He did more than protect us. He gave His life for us.

Talk about itHow does a shepherd care for sheep? How does Jesus care for you?

The gatehouse

I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.

John 10:9 (BSB)

A gate is the way in. Jesus said He is the gate: whoever comes in through Him will be saved. There is a way into God’s family, and the gate is open.

Talk about itWhat does it mean that Jesus is the way in?

The watchtower

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10 (BSB)

When danger came, people ran to a strong tower to be safe. The Bible says the name of the LORD is a strong tower. When you are scared, you can run to Him in prayer, any time.

Talk about itWhat could you pray the next time you feel afraid?

The bakery

Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

John 6:35 (BSB)

Bread keeps us alive, but we get hungry again the next day. Jesus said: I am the bread of life. He gives us what we need most, a life with God that never runs out.

Talk about itWhat is your favorite bread? What does Jesus mean by “the bread of life”?

The village well

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14 (BSB)

Jesus met a woman at a well and asked her for a drink. Then He offered her water of a different kind: the life He gives, which springs up inside like a fountain and never runs dry.

Talk about itJesus spoke kindly to a stranger at the well. Who could you be kind to this week?

The farm

Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.”

Mark 4:20 (BSB)

Jesus told a story about a farmer who scattered seed. Some fell on hard paths and rocky ground, but some fell on good soil and grew a big crop. When we hear God’s word and hold on to it, it grows in us.

Talk about itHow can your heart be good soil?

The orchard

Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:17 (BSB)

You can tell a tree by its fruit: apples grow on apple trees! When Jesus lives in us, His kind of fruit begins to grow: love, joy, kindness and patience.

Talk about itWhat fruit would people see in your life today?

The blacksmith

Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.

Isaiah 2:4 (BSB)

A blacksmith could make swords for war or plows for farming. Isaiah saw a day when God would bring peace, and people would beat their swords into plows. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and His kingdom ends in peace.

Talk about itIs there someone you need to make peace with?

The feast hall

The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant replied, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

Luke 14:21-23 (BSB)

In one of Jesus’ stories, the invited guests made excuses and did not come to the feast. So the master invited the poor, the sick and people from the roads, and there was still room. God’s invitation is for everyone, and there is room for you.

Talk about itWho might feel left out at your school or church? How could you invite them in?