YEA Lesson Library
Talent on Loan
About This Lesson
Using the parable of the ten minas, this lesson teaches that the student needs to identify and use his/her talents for God’s glory.
Scriptures
Joshua 1:5
Proverbs 3:5-6
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
Luke 12:41-48
Luke 19:11-27
Romans 8:28-39
Colossians 3:23-24
Hebrews 13:1-6
James 1:17-18
Words to Know
MINA - (translated as talent) a unit of money, worth about three months’ wages
SCURRY - to run around quickly
The Lesson
Have you ever watched ants hard at work in an ant farm or outside? They scurry along carrying bits of food. Sometimes they work together to carry large pieces. Each tiny creature seems to have a job to do. They work hard storing food so they will have enough for winter. But who tells them what to do?
When God gives you, or even the tiny ant, a job to do, He will show you how to do it! Proverbs says, “In all your ways remember him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight” (Proverbs 3:6).
Have you ever wondered how the greatest NBA basketball players are able to jump so high? What about great baseball players? What if they had never picked up a baseball bat? Or, what if NHL stars hadn’t taken the time to learn how to ice skate? Our sports world might be a much different place.
What if Thomas Edison hadn’t been interested in science? We might still be in the dark! Think about Henry Ford and Alexander Graham Bell. What would our world be like without the invention of the telephone or the assembly line? Oh, maybe someone else would have done all these things. But maybe, just maybe, the talents of each person were given to them by God for a specific purpose. And maybe someone had the ability to invent a light bulb, but didn’t. Why?
Jesus told about a wealthy man who was going on a trip. He was traveling to a distant country to be made king, and would return home. Before he left, he gave each of his servants ten minas. He said, “Put this money to work until I come back” (Luke 19:13 NIrV).
When he returned, the first servant said he had invested the money. It had doubled the amount! The master was very happy. He gave his good and faithful servant a reward. He was made ruler over ten cities.
The second servant had also made money for his master. He gave him five more minas than he started out with. Again the master was happy. He put him in charge of five cities.
The third servant gave his master back the exact amount he had been given. He had kept it hidden in a piece of cloth. He told the master, “I was afraid of you. You are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in. You harvest what you did not plant.” The master got angry and said, “If you knew this, why didn’t you put my money in the bank so it would earn interest?” He took the money from the servant and gave it to the one who had earned the most.
God expects us to use what we’ve been given. We should work hard with the talents, money, or gifts He gives us. He will guide you if you ask Him for help to know what to do. He rewards the tiny ants for their hard work by giving them food in winter. And our memory verse says He will reward us for working for Him.
God has a special plan for you, no matter who you are or where you live. He will help you accomplish His plan. David probably had no idea he would someday be a king. After all, he started out as a mere shepherd boy. It was one of the least important jobs to people around him. But God chose David to be king of over Israel!
Following God’s will isn’t always easy. Sometimes you have to go through difficult things. After God chose David as king, Saul chased him and tried to kill him many times. You, too, may have to go through some difficult things while you are following God. But God gives us this promise, “I will never leave you. I will never desert you” (Hebrews 13:5). He uses everything that happens to you to make you the person He wants you to be.
God gives you your talents. They are a special gift from Him. What will you do with them? What does God want you to do? Trust God and pray for His guidance and protection. Ask for His wisdom. Read your Bible daily. And, “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIrV). The greatest thing you could hope to hear from God is what the master told his servant, “Well done, my good servant!”`
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for each talent that you have lent me. Lead me to do your will and to be a good and faithful servants for your glory.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Luke 19:11-27
Monday - Romans 8:28-39
Tuesday - Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
Wednesday - Proverbs 3:5-6
Thursday - Hebrews 13:1-6
Friday - Luke 12:41-48
Saturday - James 1:17-18
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Relate the parable of the talents to their own lives.
2. Explain that God expects us to use what He has given us.
3. Give examples of how they can use their talents to serve God.
Topics & Themes
Bible Study
God’s Gifts
God’s Plan
God’s Promises
God’s Will
Parables
Ten Minas
Prayer
Reward
Talents
Trusting God
Work
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students’ and teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse chart, stickers, cassette tape or CD and music player, ant farm, example of your talent, kid’s translation of the Bible, newsprint pad or chalkboard, marker
Preparation
This age group is very open to suggestions for outreach and community service. They have an idealistic mind set, untempered by the realism of adults. Their faith in God is simple and pure. When told that God will direct their paths, they believe that wholeheartedly (unlike many adults, who doubt). Therefore, this is the time to teach them to serve in whatever way possible, wherever their talents and interests lie. Once convinced of its merit and rightness, Juniors will embrace food drives, pamphlet distribution, etc.
To that end, before class, consult with your minister, local church group, community service groups, etc. to determine some possible projects. (Although Juniors are very willing, they often lack the knowledge of just what can be done.) Come to class prepared with several ideas, including visits to nursing homes, Thanksgiving baskets for needy families, bouquets for the elderly, ill and/or injured, get-well or encouragement cards for church members, or projects in your local church, like collecting songbooks after services, helping set up chairs and tables for potluck dinners, etc. The benefits are two-fold: The Juniors will feel like a valuable part of the congregation, and the congregation will benefit from willing workers.
How to Teach This Lesson
Begin this lesson by bringing something that demonstrates one of your talents (craft, painting, tape of you singing or playing instrument, sewing, poem, etc.). Ask the students to think of ways that your talent could be used to bring glory to God. The students should have completed the Activity in their student’s book. Ask for volunteers to discuss their talents and how they could be used for God.
Knowing God’s Will - Ask: In the parable in Luke 19, how were the servants to know what their master wanted them to do with the money he gave them? (Have someone read Luke 19:13 from a kid’s translation.) What happened when the servants did the will of their master? What happened to the one who didn’t do what his master told him?
What if I don’t use my talent for God? Think about the famous athletes of our time. They all make contributions to the sports world. If Michael Jordan hadn’t been interested in basketball, the world might have looked up to someone else as their superstar. But, Michael would have missed out on the adoration of his fans. If Alexander Graham Bell hadn’t used his knowledge to invent the telephone, someone else might have his name associated with it. The one who fails to use his talent often loses both the talent and the blessing.
How does the ant know what to do? (If possible, bring in an ant farm for the students to observe.) Watching ants on their continuous march to dig tunnels and carrying food may raise the question: “How do they know how to do that?” God has placed within their tiny brain the knowledge and instinct to do what they should. Our Master, Jesus, has told us in His Word, through our parents and our ministers, what He wants us to do. What are some specific things that you know God wants you to do? (Make a list on a newsprint pad or chalkboard.) It is not always easy to do what God wants. Sometimes people might make fun of you. Sometimes you may have to give up something you really enjoy. (Have students read John 13:17 and Matthew 5:16.) What is the result if you do what God tells you?
How can I know how to use my talent? King David started out as a shepherd boy. He probably took very good care of his father’s sheep to be given such a big responsibility. Ask: How would being a shepherd help him later be a king? (En- courage the students to compare and discuss taking care of sheep to taking care of a nation.) Now ask: What lessons can you learn from playing sports that can help you in your adult life? How can you be a good example while playing sports? If you are artistic – you like to draw, paint or make crafty things – how can this talent be used to bring glory to God or to help others? No matter who you are, where you are from or what your talent is, it can be used for God.
“Put this . . . to work until I come back” (Luke 19:13). When God gives you a talent, it’s as though He has lent you a very special gift to see what you will do with it. Do not be caught like the servant who hid what his master gave him. Use what He has given you for God’s glory. Ask for His wisdom. Read your Bible to learn how to please God. And, “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIrV). The greatest thing we could hear from God is what He told the servant who gained ten minas: “Well done, my good servant!”
Review Questions
1. What did the master tell his servants to do with the money he gave them?
2. What is a mina?
3. What did the master do for the servant who gained ten more minas? The one who earned five? The one who hid the money his master gave him?
4. How can you know what God wants you to do with your talents?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Brainstorm with the students about possible service projects where their talents can be used in a variety of areas: home, church, school, community, etc. After several have been suggested, ask them how they can accomplish these projects. Encourage them to ask for God’s guidance in the project. Select one and help them implement their plan to complete the project.
REACH Activity
Word Study: Ek and Psuche
The phrase “all your heart” (from the YEA lesson memory verse in Colossians 3:23) is translated “heartily” in the KJV. This word comes from two Greek words: “ek” which means origin, or the point from which the motion or action proceeds, and “psuche” which means the spirit or soul. In this usage, it is not an action which you determine to do, but something you do because it is who you are.
*Word Study notes are taken from Spiros Zodhiates’ Hebrew-Greek KJV Key Word Study Bible and Lexicon.
Did You Know?
A mina was equivalent to about three months’ wages (Luke 19:13). (Source: NIV Archaeological Study Bible, p. 1705.)
Music Notes: Work, for the Night is Coming
This hymn is found on page 158 of the CEM Hymnal. The words to this hymn were written by Annie Coghill (1836-1907) when she was 18 years old. At this point in her life, she was unmarried (Annie Louise Walker) and lived in Canada. Her poem was first published in a Canadian newspaper and later in her own book, Leaves From the Back Woods. Annie married a wealthy merchant, Harry Coghill, in 1883. She became very well-known as a poet and author, writing several books which became quite well-known.
“We are to put forth our very best effort into whatever work God gives us to do. For the Christian, every occupation is sacred when it is done for God’s glory. What counts in God’s sight is not only the actual work we do, but the attitude with which we do it. The story is told of three men who worked on a large church building, all doing similar tasks. When asked what they were doing, one replied, ‘I’m making mortar.’ Another, ‘I’m helping put up this great stone wall.’ The third, ’I’m building a cathedral for God’s glory.’ The right attitude makes all the difference.” (Source: Amazing Grace, Osbeck, K., p. 305.)
Journal Jot
You can do many things that your heart just isn’t in: homework, cleaning your room, drying dishes. But what the memory verse and the word study are telling you is that you do these things with a goal in mind. The goal is glorifying God through your everyday actions, even cleaning your room. If you decide that you’re going to do the chores your parents have assigned to you with a positive spirit, it will bring good things: you’ll feel better, your parents will be pleased, and you are not bringing dishonor on the name Christian. Think about this idea. Then write in your notebook how you can apply the memory verse to your life.
Back to the Bible
Have your parents ever asked you to do a job that you really didn’t think you could do—for example, wash the car or cut the grass? What if I don’t get all the dirt off? What if the wax doesn’t go on evenly? What if I miss a patch of grass? Can’t you ask someone else to do the job instead of me? It is difficult to be confident in all situations. God asked Moses to do a job. Moses asked God: What if no one listens to me? What if they don’t understand me? Even when God reassured him that He would help him, Moses still told God: “O Lord, please send someone else to do it” (Exodus 3: 7-19; Exodus 4:1-17). There will be times as you grow up that you will be faced with challenging job situations. Your parents may want you to try different chores and responsibilities to find out what your gifts and talents may be, and to build motivation and diligence into your character. Make a good effort to complete a job, instead of making excuses of why you can’t. As God told Moses, “I will be with you,” God will be with you, too. Moses did follow God’s will for him. He was not sure he was the right person for the job, but he trusted and believed in God’s help. Pray that God will give you faith and courage to be strong when you face difficult jobs. When God reveals your special talent, be sure to do your work with all your heart!
Just Toolin’ Around
Read Joshua, chapter 1, to find out what Joshua’s job was after Moses died. Did Joshua react the same way as Moses? What words did God say to Joshua that were the same as what He told Moses? What phrase did God repeat several times to Joshua? In your Bible notebook write what you found during your Bible reading.
Stretch It Out
Interview an adult about their gift or talent. Explain to the adult what you learned in this YEA lesson about talents, attitude, and following God’s will. Be well prepared by writing your questions before the interview. Share the interview with family or Sabbath School class.
Questions?
Remember to write any questions that you have in your notebook. That way you will remember to ask your parents, teacher, or minister.
Song
“Dare to Be a Daniel” is on page 9 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students in asking for God’s guidance, wisdom and protection as they earnestly strive to serve Him and to bring Him glory.
Printable Pages
