Parable of the Talents • Talents

What is happening in this story?

Matthew’s Gospel offers several stories to help people understand what the kingdom of God is like. These stories reveal perspective about both the character of God and how it is that we are called to follow. In our Western society we look at the profit margin and figure this is why the servants receive praise. In their context what makes them good and loyal is that they trust in their ability to invest because the master believed in them. When we invest our gifts for God, we will never come up empty. The rewards will always be great.
 

Why does this story matter for kids?

It’s easy to encourage kids who have already developed many talents, such as reading, music, or sports. But there are other kids whose skills are yet undiscovered. God gives each of us special gifts we can share with each other. We need to be willing to take a risk to find out what they are, believe in them, and use them.

What is the lectionary connection?

The readings at the end of the church year speak of end times and Jesus’ second coming. We gather around signs of hope at the end of the Season of Pentecost, eager to welcome the good news of Christ’s coming among us. Those who await his return should make good use of the gifts God has provided.

 

WATCH

THE VIDEO

  • KIDS AGED 10 AND YOUNGER

In the video today, the kids are getting ready for a talent show. Let’s watch to see who is excited to share a talent and who isn’t.

Watch the video below:

 

Ask kids these questions about the video:

  • What surprised you about Clara’s talent?

  • I wonder why Clara was afraid to show her talent to everyone.

  • What part of the talent show looked like the most fun?

  • If you were in a talent show, what would you want to do?

 
 

  • KIDS AGED 11 AND OLDER

Is there someone you know who is really, really good at something, but they don’t want anyone to know it? I wonder why. Let’s see what happens when Leo tries to hide his light under a bushel.

Watch the video below:

 

Ask kids these questions about the video:

  • What was Leo trying to cover up? Why?

  • How did Leo let his light shine?

  • How do you feel when someone can do something better than you?

  • How can you use something you’re good at to help others?

 

read

the bible story

Matthew 25:14-30

We’ve been talking about talents as gifts or abilities. In this story the word talent refers to a coin used in Jesus’ time. It was a lot of money—a full year’s wage. In both cases taking the risk to use your talent is important.

Ask these questions after you read the story:

  • What did your group do with their talent(s)?

  • Parables can be called stories with a secret message. What’s the secret message of this parable?

    Help kids focus on Jesus’ message to be faithful with what we have been given.

  • What makes us afraid to risk using the talents God gives us?

  • I wonder what good things happen when you trust God enough to try something new and hard.

wrap up with

review + prayer

There’s one big takeaway today: Let it shine! Don’t bury your treasures, but use the gifts God has given you. Use them to have fun. Use them to help others. Be thankful as you use them.

Pray together:

Thank you, God, for giving every person gifts and talents. Everyone contributes as we build loving communities. Amen.

try one or two

Follow-up activities

This week’s theme is TALENTS. God gives us talents because God wants us to use them. Here are some activities that can help your family think about the talents God has given you, and how you can use them to serve God.

  • Digging into the Story

    Go outside to your backyard or someplace else you can safely dig. Put a small toy in a plastic bag. Bury it in the ground and keep it there for a week. How did it feel knowing it was buried in the ground? What was it like when you dug it up? Was this a good place to keep your toy? What does all this digging teach you about the story?

  • What’s a Talent Worth?

    Search online to see if you can find out how much 10 talents was worth during Bible times. What about 5 talents? 1 talent? What would the monetary equivalent be today?

  • Parable Search

    The parable of the talents is just one of many parables that Jesus told to teach people about God’s kingdom. How many other parables does your family know? Look in the Gospel of Matthew for parables. Write each one on a card. Play a game where one person draws the parable, and everyone else guesses which parable it is.

This week, our family is praying for:

Season of PentecostSalt 'n Light Kids