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The Parable of the Talents

Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Parable of the Talents Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this.

Introduction:

This lesson isn't about money as much as it's about using our gifts that God has given us.  The master gave a large amount of money to each of his servants according to their abilities.  God not only gives us abilities but they are very valuable just like the talents in the story.  If we are lazy or afraid to use our gifts God will take them away and give them to someone who is using theirs.

The message:  

Preschool thru Grade 1: God will give you more talents/gifts if you keep doing good for Him.
  
Grades 2 and 3: God gives us special gifts that only you are able to give.  Use them and God will keep giving you more.

I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level.  For the younger children, the message is simple: God will give you more talents/gifts if you keep doing good for Him.   For the older children, we expand on this message and say: God will give you more talents/gifts if you keep doing good for Him.

Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson.  Send the The Parable of the Talents Take Home Sheet  home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week.  It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator. 

Preview of the lesson:

Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around.  I like the first option, myself.

Always consider offering Gift Coloring Pages  for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time).  Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile.  Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons.  You can make a nice little booklet each week with the take home sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort! 

Description

Time Allotted

Supplies
Welcome!  

Receive name tags.  Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag.

Sing the Learning our Names song

 10 to 15 minutes Gift box name tags, scissors (or adults can precut),  crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape.

Craft time!

Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Piggy Bank Craft.  Instead of using this craft to store money, use it to store each child's talents or abilities.  For a bit more fun print out the Kid's pretend back cheques.  On it help the children to write out a few of their gifts or talents in the money section, and have the cheque written out to God.  They could write their number amount as "invaluable".  You could also leave it blank and allow the family to fill in what they think their gifts are (it might be difficult at this age for the child to know what their gift is).

Grade 2 and 3:   Make the Parable of Talents Craft.  This craft is just a special way for the children to see what they're good at and to remind them to use these gifts.  Spray paint the bottle caps ahead of time so they're dry. 

15 to 30 minutes 
depending on your
adult/child ratio		 Preschool thru Grade 1: Piggy Bank template  empty rectangular kleenex box, 2 toilet paper rolls (or 4 corks), pink construction paper or gift wrap (or paint paper pink).


Grade 2 and 3: Parable of Talents template bottle caps (3 ea.), gold or silver spray paint, printer, paper, black marker, something to color with, stapler or tape.

Bible Story Time:

Preschool thru Grade 1:  Read The Story of The Parable of the Talents (or read from your own store bought children's bible).   

Grades 2 and 3:  It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. 

 10 minutes The Gift Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story.  

 

Closing:

Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children what are some of the things that make them special?  Discuss how God doesn't just give us whatever talents and abilities but he picks them out special just for each of them.  God wants us to use our special talent lots so he can give us more.

Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children to talk about different talents or abilities that they've seen in other people.  Do they know what theirs is?  Encourage them to talk to their parents and find out what they're gifts are and how they could use it.

 

Standard ending song:  for example

We love to learn together, 
together, together
We love to learn together
And give thanks to God.

substitute "learn" for sing, pray, etc

(to the tune of The More We Get Together)

 5 to 15 minutes  

Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)

 

 

 

 

 

Words to:

standard ending song