Skip to main content

PARABLE: of the talents

 {PARABLE} of the talents_ 

Matthew 25:14-30 

 
God has entrusted each of us with resources to use in the furthering of God’s Kingdom of love. We each have been called to invest the resources we have been given so they can grow and multiply. 

 
[Group discussion starter] If someone loaned you a million pounds and you had to pay it back in ten years, what would you do with it? 

 

 
We do not need to fearfully horde or hide what we have been given. It is important that we not let fear trap us in this way. The results are tragic, as Jesus’ parable of the talents demonstrates... 

 
[Read Matthew 25:14-30] 

 

If you could re-name this parable, what title would you give this story? 

 

 
In verses 14-15, how and why does the master entrust his money to these servants? 

 

 
A ‘talent’ wasn’t a personal ability, but a weight measure of money, equal to 20 years’ worth of wages! Put yourself in the place of the first and the third servants. What thoughts, beliefs and feelings would you have experienced if you were entrusted with their talents? 

 

 
In verses 19-23, compare the reactions of the master to the first and second servants. 
What matters to him, and what does not matter? 

 
As you look at the statements of the three servants (verses 20, 22, 24-25), what can you infer about their relationships with their master? 

 

 
How might their relationships have affected their actions in verses 16-18? 

 

 
Think of people you have done jobs for. 
What bearing did your relationship with them have on your attitude towards the job? 

 

 
How is the master like God and how is he unlike God? 

 

 
How does our relationship with God affect our attitudes towards what we do? 

 

 
[Activity] List some of the resources God has given his people to further his Kingdom. 

 

 

 

 
How can you faithfully handle the responsibilities God has given you?  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Disciple: Judas

  {Disciples} JUDAS ISCARIOT_   Turning away     The most notorious of al the disciples – and the one universally scorned – is Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. His name appears in every list of the disciples (except in Acts 1), and it always appears last.   The other eleven are an encouragement to us because they show how common people can be used by God, even with all their faults and failures, to do remarkable things.   Judas, on the other hand, stands as a warning about the power of spiritual carelessness and pride, which can drag us away from loyalty to Christ.   Judas lived in close proximity to Jesus for three years.   He heard every teaching; he saw every miracle.   But in all that time his heart only grew harder.   The other disciples were being transformed, by Jesus, into passionate followers; Judas was being changed too...     [Group discussion starter] Have you ever had a friend or colleague that appeared to b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9

  [Grace and Peace] EPHESIANS_   [Activity] Spend some time exploring the logical flow of Ephesians 5:21-6:9…   [Read Ephesians 5:21]   Paul addresses different relationship types (marriage, family, co-workers) when he writes to the Ephesians. Before he gets specific in his instructions, he gives a general one. What attitude are we supposed to have towards others?     What should submission look like in daily life?     [Read Ephesians 5:22-33]   In verses 22-24, why does Paul tell wives to submit to their husbands?     How does remembering that a wife is really submitting to the Lord affect submission to a husband?     In verses 25-33, how are husbands, in turn, to treat their wives?     How does comparing a husband’s love for his wife to how the Messiah loves the church remove any danger of the husband abusing the wife’s submission?       What ...
Post a Comment
Read more

PARABLE: the rich man and Lazarus

  {PARABLE} the rich man and Lazarus_   Luke 16:19-31   Have you ever heard someone say that religion is just  a ‘crutch’ or just a source of comfort for the weak?   Have you ever heard someone say that religious people pay no attention to those who are hungry or suffering?   Christianity doesn’t teach passive suffering in the face of injustice and oppression. Jesus calls us to serve those who are in need.     [Discussion starter] Have you ever been asked for money by someone homeless?   How did you react?     The final parable in this study reminds us that suffering in this life can be replaced by bliss in the next ...     [Read Luke 16:19-31]     In verses 19-21, how does the parable reveal the rich man’s lack of concern for Lazarus?       How would you account for the rich man’s indifference towards Lazarus?       What are some of the ways that you have heard people explain why ...
Post a Comment
Read more