19 November 2023
Bible readings for today
Liturgical Colour: RED (Season: white) |
CollectWe pray you, Jesus,
take the old water, our busy conscientious lives, and turn them into gospel wine, that everyone may see your life and thirst; for the glory of your holy name. Amen. E Īhu, ka īnoi mātou ki a koe, tangohia te wai tawhito, ā mātou ngākau pukumahi hoki, hurihia hei wāina rongopai kia kitea ai e te katoa tōu oranga ka mate hiainu; mō te korōria o tōu ingoa tapu. Āmine. |
The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Today we learn about using our God-given gifts.
Who is our neighbour?Intergenerational service projects
Family Service for family small groups God has given us so much so we want to share His love and kindness with others. Participating in intergenerational service projects not only develops compassion and thankfulness but also build draw us closer together as God’s family. Things to consider:
Here are some ideas to get you started thinking:
Don't bury your talent bible storyLesson plansThe Salvation Army have some fantastic Junior Soldiers resources for their discipleship groups, and this one covers the theme of today's reading
Ministry Ark also have a lesson plan for Matthew 2514-30
Activity sheetsChildren's activity sheets based on the parable - wordfind, anagram, crossword, maze.
Download here A craft activity can also be found on Childrens Bible Lessons Blog
Service projects for familiesSimple ideas to encouage families to create a habit of serving together.
Family Service projectsGod has given us so much so we want to share His love and kindness with others. Participating in service projects as a family helps develops compassion and thankfulness while drawing us closer as a family. Involving children in the decision-making and prayer about who & how we serve, helps children recognise what they do makes a difference. Here are some simple ideas you might like to try: Ideas for families with young children …
As a family choose to go without dessert (or some other treat for the week) and donate the money you save, to a charity.
Craft - superpower masksWhat is your super power (talent) from God? (Kids might need prompting; include qualities, like kindness, helpfulness, generosity). Using the superhero mask template, colour it, decorate it, and write on it what your super power is to inspire you to go out and be a superhero this week.
Superhero mask template found on the CBC Kids website here |
Discussion questionsAbout the Bible Passage
Spiritual Gifts
Talent show activityThe following activity is adapted from a lesson on the Ministry to Children website, found here:
https://ministry-to-children.com/story-time-with-jesus-lesson-seven/
Parable of the talents - piggy bank![]() Discussion around using the talents God has given us, using a piggy bank as an analogy.
The parable of the talents explains the concept that God has given us talents that He wants us to use and develop. The teacher will have brought, or made a piggy bank, (this one quite involved and requires a lot in the way of resources, so is more suited to the teacher making one, rather than the whole group): If you would like an activity or take-home for the whole group to do, there is a colouring sheet attached on which the children can write some of their talents, or those talents that they would like to develop. Teacher Talk: In the same way that we put money into a piggy bank to be used later when something needs to be done or bought, when He created you, God put talents inside you, to be used later for the things He has prepared for you to do (reference: Ephesians 2:10 “God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live”). When we use these talents, we grow as people, we help other people and show them how awesome God is. We can tell our family and friends the talents that we see in them too, so that they are encouraged to use their talents too. If we don’t use and grow the talents that God has given us, it’s like filling up a piggy bank with money and then never using it – the money is wasted and the piggy bank has no purpose. If we don’t use and grow what God has put inside us, it is wasted and we don’t find our purpose (reference: 1 Peter 4:10 “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 gift well”). These talents can be things that we do, e.g. organising, encouraging, leading, or they can be more like personal characteristics, e.g. wisdom, compassion, generosity. Activity/Discussion: Brainstorm on the whiteboard (or verbally if one isn’t available) a list of talents that God has put inside you, people you know. Have the children write on a piece of paper a talent that they would like to have/develop/grow in, fold up the paper and put it inside the piggy bank. Take the talents out one at a time (as many as time allows) and discuss with the group, e.g. what does it look like when a person is a good encourager; how can we encourage other people; how can we be better encouragers? Put all of the talents back in the piggy bank and pray (teacher and/or children) over them and the children they belong to. ![]()
|
Media
Max 7 have an animation on the Parable of the Talents
|
|
Visual -- The Parable of the Talents, hand drawn
|
|
|