Opening Prayer – 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Heavenly Father
Guide us and teach us
to know what it means to be a treasure
Open our eyes
to the treasures you have given to us each day
Lead us to seek
the treasures you have waiting for us in Your Word;
a heart of gold,
an attitude lined with silver
and infinite wealth.

Journal/Reflection Questions
1Kings 3:5,7-12
• The word understanding in Hebrew means obedient. What are your definitions of the words understanding and obedient? How do they differ? How are they similar?
• How does this scripture passage model prayer for us? Does Solomon do all of the talking? How does God respond? How is this similar or different to how you pray?
• King Solomon is noted as being a very wise person. How does his wisdom show through in this scripture?
Romans 8:28-30
• Have there been experiences in your life where able to relate to this adage of “all things work together for good?” Can you see where God was/is in the experience?
• Does this scripture mean that when bad things happen, God is not there? How would you explain what this scripture means to some who has experienced darkness, abandonment or loss in their life?
Matthew 13:44-52
• What does the phrase “kingdom of God” mean to you?
• How do you hear God speaking to you in your life? Is it a whisper? A shout? How do you respond?

General Questions for Journaling
• Is there anyone in your life whom you would describe as having an “understanding heart?” What qualities does this person have that lead you to this decision?
• How might your community, your job, your school, your country change if it was required for people in leadership to have an understanding heart?
• What do you treasure? People? Moments? Things?
• What do you think God treasures? What evidence is there of your belief?
• Do you think there are buried treasures? Could there be treasures buried within a person? What might be some treasures buried within you?
• How does this statement make you feel? “Your salvation was sold at a great price.” What does it mean?

Closing Prayer – Solomon’s Prayer
ALL: Therefore give to Your servant
an understanding heart
to judge Your people,
that I may discern
between good and evil.

Challenge for the Week: Spend time this week breaking down each request in this prayer. How can you put this prayer into practice so it isn’t just a bunch of words we pray? As you are discerning the actions you should take to bring this prayer to life, pray it each morning, each noon-time and before you go to bed. It is short enough that we might be able to memorize it quickly and add it to our daily prayers from now on.