Be Faithful with Whatcha Got!

STICKY STATEMENT

Be faithful with less and let God bless.

LESSON OBJECTIVE

Children will learn the importance of faithfulness and be challenged to choose to be dependable in all areas of their lives.

LESSON OVERVIEW

Using the Parable of the Talents, children will learn the importance of faithfulness and dependability in all areas of their lives. Through discussion, the children will discover areas of their own responsibility and how to faithfully use the abilities God has given them.

KEY VERSE

Matthew 25:23

DEFINITIONS

Faithfulness: “the quality of being trustworthy or reliable”

TEACHER’S CHECKLIST

1. A PowerPoint is available for this lesson.2. The “People Are Awesome” video: https://teachersource.wol.org/resource/OBS20/16-1/ (Hook)3. Three small bags (Lesson Content)4. Fifteen coins (Lesson Content)5. The “Talents” card (one for each child) (Next Steps)

GENERAL LESSON INSTRUCTIONS

Teacher’s Note: Prior to teaching the lesson, prepare the three paper bags by writing the number “1” on the first, the number “2” on the second, and the number “3” on the third. Place five coins in the first bag and two coins in the second bag; leave the third bag empty. For visual effect, it is suggested that you use large coins. Keep the other seven coins outside the bags until you are ready to use the demonstration.

In addition, be sure to print out enough of the “Talents” cards for each child to have one. These will be used during the Next Steps section of the lesson and during the Personal Training (PT) Huddle groups.

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HOOK

Raise your hand if you have ever watched or performed in a talent show. [Allow for a show of hands.] At a school talent show, children go on stage to show their special abilities. Some may sing, dance, or play a musical instrument. What is the most impressive talent you have seen someone else show off? [Allow for some responses.] What is a talent you have? [Allow for some responses.]

Teacher’s Note: If you have chosen to use the Younger Adaptation, use it instead of the content below. Be sure to adjust the PowerPoint slides so the Younger Adaptation pictures are placed at the beginning of the PowerPoint.

People can have some pretty amazing talents. How many of you have ever watched a video online of people putting their talents on display? Take a look at this video of some kids doing some pretty amazing stuff.

Teacher’s Note: Show the “People Are Awesome” video: https://teachersource.wol.org/resource/OBS20/16-1/. Feel free to cut the video short if time does not permit you to show the whole thing.

That was some pretty awesome stuff, wasn’t it? All those kids are pretty talented.

Teacher’s Note: If you chose to use the Younger Adaptation, begin teaching with the Lesson Content.

God has gifted each one of us with talents, and we’ll talk about those talents a bit later in the lesson. First, we are going to read a story from the Bible about some men who were given talents, but the talents they were given were not the type of talents we have been talking about.

LESSON CONTENT

Tonight’s lesson is the fourth lesson in a four-part series called “Snapshots of Character.” Each of the lessons in this series is designed to help us develop Godly character in our lives. The first two lessons in this series dealt with kindness. The second two deal with faithfulness. Tonight’s lesson on faithfulness is from the Bible and comes from the Book of Matthew. [Show visual #1: definition of faithfulness.] “Faithfulness” is “the quality of being trustworthy or reliable.”

Tonight, we will tell you a story Jesus told while He was teaching His followers. You can find this parable in Matthew 25:14-30 in your Bible.

Jesus started His story by telling about a rich man who was leaving his home to go on a long journey. Before he left, he entrusted some of his wealth to three of his servants; he gave them a specific number of talents. Like we said earlier, the talents they were given were not like the ones we talked about a minute ago. In Biblical times, a talent was a type of money that had great value.

So, to help us understand Jesus’ story, we are going to need three volunteers to help us act out this story.

Teacher’s Note: Choose three children to participate in the lesson. Don’t give the bags to the children until after you have placed the additional coins inside the bags.

The first servant was given five talents. [Place five additional coins into bag #1, close it up, and give it to the first child.] When he received his five talents, he set off and used the talents to earn more talents. [Insert the name of the first child.], let’s see you do some work.

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The second man was given two talents. [Place two additional coins into bag #2, close it up, and give it to the second child.] He, too, went about working to earn more money with the money he was given. [Insert the name of the second child.], let’s see you do some work, too. [Insert the name of the first child.], are you still working? Don’t quit; keep using that money to earn more money.

The third was given one talent. [Place one coin into bag #3, close it up, and give it to the third child.] He did something different with his talent. Let’s read Matthew 25:18. [Read Matthew 25:18 and then instruct the third child to hide the third bag somewhere in the room.]

So, there is the set up for Jesus’ story. All three servants were entrusted with some of their bosses’ money. Two of them went to work, and the third one hid it so he wouldn’t lose it.

After a long while, the rich man returned from his journey and asked his servants to meet with him. The first servant showed up. Listen to what happened to the five talents he had. [Read Matthew 25:20.]

[Insert the name of the first child.], please come up here and show me what you got for all the work you did with that money. Count the coins in your bag. [Hold out your hands and count the coins with him or her aloud as the first child places them into your hands.]

Let’s read what the master said to him. [Read Matthew 25:21.] The master was happy the servant was faithful with what he had been given.

The second servant came to report to the master. Listen to what happened to the two talents he had. [Read Matthew 25:22.]

[Insert the name of the second child.], please come up here and show me what you got for all the work you did with that money. Count out the coins in your bag. [Hold out your hands and count the coins with him or her aloud as the second child places them into your hands.]

Let’s read the master’s response. [Read Matthew 25:23.] Again, the master was pleased with his faithful servant.

Now the third servant came before the master. [Insert the name of the third child.], please come up here and give an account for the one coin you received. How much did you gain?

Teacher’s Note: Hold out your hands and have the child place the coin into it. As he or she places the coin, begin counting like you are expecting there to be more coins. Something like, “One, tw– … wait, just one?”

Listen to what the third servant told his master. [Read Matthew 25:24-25.] The servant was actually blaming the master for his unfaithfulness. He used the fact that the master was a tough businessman as an excuse for not wanting to use the talent. It seems he was afraid that if he didn’t gain more money, he would be in trouble. But the master was more disappointed with his laziness and lack of faithfulness.

The master, rightly, became angry and punished the servant for his unfaithfulness. He took the money the third servant had been given and passed it to a more trustworthy servant. He knew the first servant would be faithful with it. In addition, the third servant was actually forced to leave. He would no longer work for the master. [Have the children return to their seats.]

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CONNECTION

Who remembers what the master gave the servants before he left on his trip? [Allow for several responses.] The master gave the three servants not just the talents but also a responsibility. They were to take care of the master’s wealth while he was gone and use the money wisely. Remember, too, that the master did not give each servant the same amount of talents. But the master was satisfied with both the first two servants because they used what they had been given wisely. They were blessed, not because they had more to begin with; they were blessed because they were faithful with what they had been given. Faithfulness was the key; it was more important than the amount they were given and the amount they earned.

When the master returned, the first two servants were happy to see him and report all they had done with the talents they were given. Who remembers what the master said to them? [Allow for several responses.] The master was pleased with their faithfulness and granted them even more responsibility. There was a blessing for their faithfulness and a lesson to be learned; be faithful with less and let God bless.

So, what have you been given? Just like the master in the story, God has given things to you that you are responsible for and things to care for until He returns. You may not have a bunch of money, but God has given each of us physical talents and special abilities. We should be faithful with what we have been given no matter what talent or ability we have. [Show visual #1 again: definition of faithfulness.] Remember, “faithfulness” is “the quality of being trustworthy or reliable.” It is our job to be faithful with less and let God bless.

It pleases God when you are faithful with what you have been given. As you show faithfulness and grow in being faithful, you will have opportunities to serve God in bigger ways. Will you be trustworthy and reliable with the abilities you have? Will you use them for God’s glory?

So, how can you use your abilities for God? Let’s brainstorm a little bit. What are some abilities you have? [Allow for several responses.] How can you use that ability for God?

Teacher’s Note: Have a short discussion about how the talents and abilities the children mentioned during the Hook section of the lesson could be faithfully used to glorify God. You could say something like, “[Insert the name of a child.], you said your talent was [Insert the name of the talent.]. How can you faithfully use that talent for God?”

But what if you don’t have any of these talents we mentioned? What can you do? Let’s think about it for a minute. Do you have the ability to speak? How can you faithfully use the voice you have been given so God gets the glory?

Teacher’s Note: Allow for several answers. Possible answers: 1. Tell someone about Jesus. 2. Speak only kind words. 3. Compliment others. 4. Be an encourager.

Do you have the ability to use your hands? How can you faithfully use your hands so God gets the glory? [Allow for several responses.]

Teacher’s Note: Allow for several answers. Possible answers: 1. Help out around the house. 2. Help out around the church. 3. Make a card for someone. 4. Bake cookies for someone.

Here are some other ideas.

● Will you choose to be faithful in loving your family? ● Will you choose to honor and obey your parents?

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● Will you faithfully show kindness to your siblings? ● Will you choose to be faithful in attending church and Olympians? ● Will you be faithful in reading and memorizing Scripture? ● Will you be faithful to do your very best on your schoolwork? ● Will you be faithful in encouraging your teammates? ● Will you be faithful to help your neighbors in need?

Will you be faithful with less and let God bless?

CHOICE

Now that you have an idea of ways to be faithful, it’s time to make a choice. Will you be faithful and diligent like the first two servants, or will you be unfaithful and irresponsible like the third servant?

Do you know how to become a faithful person? Becoming faithful happens one small action at a time. You can’t just become faithful overnight. Faithfulness is a result of choosing to do the faithful thing each time, over time. Faithfulness is a choice. Will you take the time right now to make that choice?

Take a moment to stop and talk with God about being faithful. Ask Him to help you to be a dependable son or daughter, brother or sister, student, teammate, and citizen. Be faithful with less and let God bless. [Allow time for the children to pray, and then lead in a time of prayer for the children.]

NEXT STEPS

Teacher’s Note: Have the “Talents” cards printed and cut out for each child. At the end of the lesson, instruct Personal Training (PT) coaches to give one to each child.

During PT Huddle, your PT coach will give you a paper with three “talents” on it. One has the word “family,” the second has the word “church,” and the third has the word “community.” This week, on the back of that paper, write how you were faithful in the responsibilities God has given you in each of these areas. Bring your card back next week to share with your PT coach so we can celebrate faithfulness.

YOUNGER ADAPTATION: (Hook)

Did you know that even animals in nature have talents? Let’s look at some examples.

[Show visual #2: the dolphin.]Dolphins can sleep with one eye open! God made their brains to be able to rest and stay aware of their surroundings at the same time.

[Show visual #3: the hummingbird.]Hummingbirds have the special ability to rotate their wings so they are able to fly backwards. Other creatures with wings can only fly in a forward direction.

[Show visual #4: the penguins.]Penguins might not be able to fly like hummingbirds, but some of them can jump up to 9 feet (3 meters) in the air. As they swim fast towards the surface of the water, they become surrounded by air bubbles that come from their feathers, catapulting them high into the air.

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[Show visual #5: the dog.]Wet dogs can shake 70% of water off their bodies in four seconds! They have extra skin surrounding their backbone that flops faster and with great force, sending the water flying through the air.

[Show visual #6: the basilisk lizard.]The basilisk lizard can run on water. It is able to move its feet and legs extremely fast in a unique fashion that allows the lizard to stay on top of the water for about 15 feet before it begins to sink.

God gifted each of these animals with some amazing talents.

PERSONAL TRAINING TIME

The Goal of the Personal Training Huddle: The goal of the personal training huddle is to help the children determine specific areas of responsibility where they can use talents faithfully for God’s glory.

Discussion Questions

1. What pleased the master most about the first two servants? (Allow the children to discuss the idea of faithfulness. See if they understand the concept that being faithful with what they have been given is more important than the amount they have been given.)

2. What are some of the “few things” you have the ability to do? (Help the children recognize that everyone has a way they can be faithful. While some are more talented than others, everyone can be faithful with what they have been given. It may be helpful to make a list of small abilities that children have and help them see how they can be faithful with those abilities.)

3. What are some ways you will faithfully use your abilities this week to show God’s love to your family, church, and community? (Give each child one of the “Talents” cards. Help them think of potential ways to faithfully serve. Use some of the ideas listed during the lessons or have the children come up with other ideas. Ideas could include completing chores promptly every time, volunteering to help clean up after Olympians each week, helping an elderly neighbor on a weekly basis, etc. Remind the children to bring their “Talents” cards back next week, with how they were faithful written on the back.)

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES*

Source: Dolphins sleeping with one eye openSource: Humming birds fly backwardSource: Penguins jump really high Source: Dogs shake drySource: Basilisk Running On Water

*The websites listed above are not affiliated with nor sponsored by Word of Life. The sites should be used only for reference or resource purposes and may contain content not endorsed by Word of Life.

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PARENT CONNECTION

Tonight’s lesson was the fourth lesson in a four-part series called “Snapshots of Character.” Each of the lessons in this series is designed to help your child develop Godly character. Tonight, we learned about faithfulness as we looked at Jesus’ story referred to as the Parable of the Talents. It is recorded in Matthew 25:14-30.

The children learned that God wants us to be faithful in the small things of life, both with the responsibilities and talents He has given each of us. This week, help your child discover both the unique gifts they have been given and ideas of how they can use them to share God’s love with your family, church, and community.

They have been given a card as a reminder to be faithful. When your child demonstrates faithfulness, remind them to write it down on the back of the card. Continue to remind them that faithfulness is a result of choosing to do the faithful thing each time over time; faithfulness is a choice.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What word is defined as “the quality of being trustworthy or reliable”? (Faithfulness)2. Who taught the Parable of the Talents? (Jesus)3. What did the master give the servants before he left for his trip? (Money and

responsibility to care for his property)4. What was a talent in Biblical times? (Money)5. Did the master give each servant the same amount of talents? (No)6. How many talents did the master give each servant? (The first servant – 5; the second

servant – 2; the third servant – 1)7. Why was the master happy with the first and second servant when he returned? (They

were faithful with what they were given.)8. Why was the master angry with the third servant? (He hid the money instead of working

with it.)9. Why did Jesus tell this story? (To teach the people to be faithful with what they have been

given)10. True or False: Being faithful in little things helps us to be faithful in bigger things. (True)

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