Seek First the Kingdom of God
Month 5: Kingdom Living (Part 2) · Memory Verse
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 6:31-33
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Memory Verse
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”— Matthew 6:33 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Nehemiah 5-7
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 129 of 365 — the walls are finished, and Nehemiah deals with both outside enemies and unfairness inside the city.)The Heart of It
Yesterday Jesus told us not to worry. Today He tells us what to do instead. He says the people who don't know God spend their lives chasing after "What shall we eat?" and "What shall we wear?" They just run in circles after stuff (). But then Jesus reminds us of something wonderful. "Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." He's not unaware. He's not far off. He already knows. So Jesus gives us one big instruction. It reorders a whole life. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." Put God first. Make Him the number-one thing you go after. Not money. Not comfort. Not what other kids have.
And here's the beautiful promise tucked into our verse. "And all these things shall be added to you." When God is first, the everyday needs don't get forgotten. They get taken care of. It works like a backpack. If you stuff everything in sideways, nothing fits. But put the biggest thing in first, and the smaller things settle in around it. When the kingdom of God is the biggest thing in your heart, everything else finds its right place. This isn't a trick to get rich. It's a promise. A Father who has our hearts will not forget our needs. So let's hide this verse deep this week, because it's a map for a whole life.
Around the Table
Put God first! It's like putting the biggest toy in the box first so the rest fits. When we love God most, He takes care of the rest.
Let's do it: Hold up one finger high and shout, "God first!" three times.
Other people chase after things. Jesus says chase after God first, and trust Him with the things. Let's say the verse together five times.
Let's talk: What does "seeking God first" look like on a normal day? Think about home, school, and play.
"Seek first" is about what your heart actually runs after. The promise isn't getting rich. It's a faithful Father who provides as you put His kingdom above your own comfort.
Let's go deeper: Picture someone watching how you spend your time, money, and attention this week. What would they say you're seeking first?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you packed a backpack for a big trip and could only fit one thing in first, what would it be? Jesus says to put God's kingdom in first. Then everything else fits around it.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
"Seek first the kingdom" assumes God's kingdom is real and worth more than everything else. Jesus backed up that claim by His life, His miracles, and His resurrection. We can stake our priorities on Him, because He proved trustworthy in history ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
This verse quietly examines every father. Our calendars and bank statements are honest confessions of what we seek first. Jesus is not against provision. He affirms that God supplies "all these things." But He flatly refuses to let provision sit on the throne. The Wesleyan tradition speaks of ordering all our affections under the love of God. This verse is exactly that, in miniature. The danger for a hardworking dad isn't usually open greed. It's a slow drift. Good things like career, comfort, and security for the kids quietly become first things. Memorizing this verse with your children is one thing. Letting it search your own pursuits is another. Ask the Spirit to show you one place where the kingdom needs to move up the list this week.
Draws on: John Wesley, Sermon on the Mount (Discourse VIII).
Let's Pray Together
"Father, help us seek You first. Before our stuff. Before our wishes. Before everything. We trust You to take care of what we need. Make Your kingdom the biggest thing in our hearts. In Jesus' name, amen."
When I seek God first, everything else finds its right place.