Faith Quest

 

Parable of the Talents

 

April 18- May 16, 2004

 

Good News

 

Scripture:       Matthew 25: 14-30 NSRV

 

Memory Verse:  “Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gifts well.” 1 Peter 4:10 CEV

 

Offering:  New Vision Home Orphanage in Jamaica

           

Concepts:

Ø     Jesus taught us about God’s Kingdom using parables.

Ø     God has given each of us special gifts and talents to use, not hoard.

Ø     God’s faithful followers use their gifts to serve God and others.

 

Objectives:

In the Good News Lesson we hope to:

  1. Understand how we can use our talents and gifts to serve others, here at the Kirk and in our community.
  2. Realize that each of us has a special talent and/or gift that can bring joy to others.
  3. Become more familiar with how parables are used to teach us lessons for life and strengthening our faith.

 

Procedure:                

Welcome and Introductions:

Wear your nametag. Make sure the children are wearing nametags. If not, ask the shepherd to supply a temporary badge. Remember you are interacting with a different group of students each week that may not know you. Remember to that if you need the shepherds to assist you in any way do not be afraid to ask, that is why they are present with the class. 

 

Scripture/Bible Story:

1.     Have the Children to stand and say the memory verse.  (You may want to have the verse on poster board.)

2.     Ask them to bow their heads for prayer. [Dear Lord, who has given us each unique talents and gifts, we thank you.  Help us to have an open mind this morning as we learn how better to use our talents and gifts to serve you and others. Amen.]

3.     Have them to sit and open their Bibles to the Scripture. Ask the children to volunteer/assist in reading the scriptures.  It is not necessary to have all children to read.  If you want to read and have them to follow along, that is your choice. 

 

 

 

 

Application:

Define the following words after the scripture has been read – you may want to post words on chart paper.  See if the children can first provide a definition before you give them the definition.  Remind them that the definition of these words come from the scriptures we just read.

 

Talents – The talents referred to in this parable were units of weight for precious metals. This was the measurement used in Ancient Rome and Greece.  A talent was an amount of money equal to the wages of a day laborer for 15 years.  During the Middle Ages the church defined a “talent” as a God given gift that should be used to serve others.

 

Expectation –   Looking forward to/meeting a specific goal/to complete what has been required or asked of you.  In your schools your teachers ask you to complete tasks and if you do so in the proper manner you are rewarded with a good grade.  We all have expectations of others – to help us, to play with us, to prepare food for us – we need others to support us.

 

Prepared –   Knowing what you have to do to complete something.  If you know you have a test on Wednesday you will study before the test.  If you are getting ready to play soccer you will practice and take the right shoes with you to the game. 

 

Serve or Service to others -   Helping others – being like Jesus would want us to be – being kind to others, and making them comfortable.

 

Lazy -   not doing what is required of you.  Not being prepared for a test or a game.  Not doing homework and trying your best in school.  Not learning a Bible verse because you don’t want to spend the time learning something new.

 

Reward –   Being recognized for going beyond the normal activity of the day.  Winning a game, or a race.  Receiving a prize for having the best project or art work.  Being happy with what you have accomplished.

 

Honor God -   To worship God.  To praise God.  To serve others as he has asked us to.  Not to waste what he has given us but to use what he has given us in a thoughtful way.  To treat others kindly. 

 

Ask the following questions regarding the parable about the talents:

  1. How did the master feel about the man he gave five talents?
  2. Was the master as happy with the 2 talent man as he was with the 5 talent man?
  3. How did the master feel about the 1 talent man?
  4. Why was the 1 talent man punished? 
  5. What reward was given to the men who used the talents?

 

Activity regarding our own resources, talents and gifts

Provide each child four or five colored dots (will be part of your rotation lesson packet) which will be provided.

Once they are given the slips of colored dots, ask them to write their initials on each dot.

Using the chart –with the following on the top:

 

 

 

 

 

Kirk Community Support – Where and how can I help?

 

Calling a sick friend                Not running in the church         Sitting quietly and listening in church

 

Picking up trash around the KOK grounds                               Making a card for an elderly member          

Part of my allowance              Pennies for hunger                    Sing in the choir         Ring bells            

 

Participate in church activities                        Share the good news of Jesus              Be an acolyte

 

Other items as you deem necessary ……

 

Post the chart on the wall –

Ø     In general, discuss with the students the different talents and skills we all have.  For example, good athletes, musicians, artist, etc.

Ø     Then ask them to look at the chart and make sure they are familiar with the roles noted and have the children to take turns placing their dot under the role they have a talent for. 

Ø     Review where the dots are placed and thank them for agreeing to share their talents in the Kirk Community.  Inform them at the end of the rotation, this chart will be posted in place where members can see their promise on paper. 

 

Reflection Time:

Distribute the journal page for the students to work on, if there is time.  Make sure there are copies for each child.  The Good News Journal page will be different from the other rotations.  There are questions to answer and they are to complete the shield of talents to share with others.

By 10:45 close with a prayer.

 

Closing:

Prayer:  Please prepare in advance.

 

Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Someone could empty the water in the sink in the kitchen. Have them to assist in anyway you need. Close/lock the door and turn off the lights. The pillows in the Puppet room need to be placed back in the closet if you used them. 

 

Teacher preparation in advance:

1.     Read the scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.

2.     Prepare a closing prayer for your lesson.

 

Suggested Supply List

Ø     Bible verse on poster board.

Ø     Chart and colored dots will be provided.

Ø     If you want – show pictures of people serving God – to help demonstrate how we should use our talents as they post the dots on the chart.

 

 

 

Reference:

Lori Houck, Kirk Faith Quest Bible Study Leader

Children’s Illustrated Bible by Parker and Dyson

EBibleTeacher – Lessons on Talents 10/29/03