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Matthew 25:14-30 Parables: Your Talents
Parables: Your Talents
HOOK:
Do a demonstration of your talent (play an instrument, read a poem or story you wrote, show some handiwork {needlepoint,knitting,craft project,a drawing or painting}, sing a song, tap dance, show a photo of yourself horseback riding or skydiving or car racing, bring in something you cooked or baked to share, or juggle). Everybody has something that is unique about them! Explain to the class that God has made each of us unique. That means we all look different and can do different things. Ask the children what they think their special talent is.
BOOK: Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus was always teaching the people about God and telling them stories to make it easier for them to understand. A story that teaches something is called a parable. One of the stories is about talents, what we were just talking about. Jesus said that a master gave 5 talents to one of his servants, 2 to another and 1 talent to his other servant. The master went away on a long trip and when he came back, he called his servants to him and asked to see what they did with what they were given. The servant who was given 5 talents, gained 5 more so he had 10 talents to give to his master. The next servant was given 2 talents, and he gained 2 more, so he had 4 talents to give to his master. The last servant who was given 1 talent went and hid his talent in the ground, so he had only 1 talent to give his master. The master was so angry that this servant just buried what he was given, that he yelled at him and called him lazy and got rid of him.
LOOK:
Jesus was trying to tell the people that we all have special things that God put in us to work for God. We don’t have to work to get into heaven, because we know that the only way to get into heaven is to have Jesus forgive your sins. But when we know God as our Father and best friend, we show our love to Him by the things we do. If we use the talents God gave us only for the things that we like and to make ourselves feel or look good, we will have nothing to give to God. When we use our talents to show people God’s love and tell them about forgiveness, that is being a good worker for the Lord. (Take out a dollar). If I give you this dollar and I tell you that it’s yours to do what you want with, what would you do? (Buy candy, video game, hairbow, toy). If you put this dollar in the offering at church, or give it to someone who hasn’t eaten in a long time to buy food, you used that dollar to show love to God, and not to treat yourself to something special. We all have so much we can use to give to God instead of always thinking about ourselves. When we are focused on God, He will tell us what a great job we did when we see Him in heaven!! (Review the memory verse at this time).
TOOK:
As you grow up and find out the things that you are good at, always ask yourself, “How can I tell people about God’s love and show God I love Him with my talents?
Briefly give some examples of people who use their talents for the Lord:
-people who play instruments at church
-teachers and helpers at Kingdom Kids and Super Church
-famous people who are Christians that use their gifts and money to help orphans
-those who clean or fix things for elderly people or even in their church
MEMORY VERSE:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for all the special talents you have given to each of us. Help us to learn what they are and to always think of ways to use them for you and for others and not ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
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