Off the top of your head, make a list of what God has given you. What was the first thing that came to your mind? Tangible things like a house, a car, or a job? Relationships like your spouse, kids, and community group? Or maybe even the gifts He’s given us like your brain and your body, which impacts all the other gifts you’ve been given. This week, we are challenged to be dependable with what God has given us. If this sounds daunting, there’s good news! As always, God can be trusted to help us when it comes to using our gifts for His glory.
TRUSTWORTHY: Being dependable without a doubt
MEMORY VERSE: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise." Hebrews 10:23
This Week’s Finish Line: God helps me be dependable with what He has given me
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells a parable about a master who gives his three servants different amounts of money, based on their abilities. He then leaves on a trip, and when he returns he wants to know how the servants used the money. The first two servants had earned double the amount they were originally given, while the third servant had buried his money in the ground. The master responded in praise to the first two servants and determined to give them even more responsibility. He was upset with the third servant, took his money, gave it to the first servant, and threw the third servant out. The first two were trustworthy, or dependable, with what they had been given, because they knew everything they were given belonged to the master and they trusted him.
Family Questions:
READ MATTHEW 25:14-30
- What did the master give his servants? (He gave them all large amounts of money.)Look at verse 15. How did the master divide up the money? (according to each servant’s ability.) What did each of the servants do with the money they were given? (The first two servants worked with the money and earned more. The third servant buried his money in a hole.)
- How did the master respond to the first and second servants? Why? (He rewarded them because they proved they were trustworthy with what he gave so he trusted them with even more.)
- How did the master respond to the last servant? Why? (The master was angry because the servant was lazy and did not do what he was supposed to do. The servant was not trustworthy so the master took back the money, gave it to the first trustworthy servant, and sent him away.)
- Did the servants in the story own any of the money themselves? Who did it all belong to? (It was all the master’s money. They were just servants.) Where does all the stuff we have come from? (It is all God’s.)
- Which of the servants do you identify with the most? How are you doing at being trustworthy with what God has given you?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
READ 1 TIMOTHY 1:12 Just like Paul, God chooses us, has plans for us, gives us what we need and the ability to do it. Just as none of the things we own really belong to us, all the strength and talents we have come from God, too. We could never do all of these things on our own. We need God to help us be trustworthy with what He gives us. What are some of the gifts and talents God has given you? What do you think God wants you to do with what He’s given you? How can you rely on God’s help to be trustworthy with what He’s given you this week?
Friend: Drive Time
Write each word from this month’s memory verse (Hebrews 10:23) on a sticky note. Post the notes on the inside of your car…on the windows, backs of the seat, etc. As you drive around, practice saying the verse. Each time you come to a stop light, remove one of the sticky notes and see if you can still say the verse. You could also mix the sticky notes up and have your sibling unscramble them before you get to the next light!
Counselor: Bedtime
Thank God for the help He is always willing to give for those who ask. Thank Him for the ways you’ve seen Him be trustworthy and ask Him to help you be faithful with all the things He’s given you. Ask Him to help you see all you have is really His.
Coach: Anytime
Have a family talent show night this week! Have everyone in your family choose an “act” based on ways that God has gifted them. (examples: play an instrument, do a card trick, gymnastics, recite something from memory, etc.) Pop popcorn, pick a theme, make it your own! You can keep it small or invite your neighbors. Either way, make this an opportunity to intentionally encourage others with the gifts God has given you!
Prayer
Pray and thank God for loving us no matter what! Thank Him for that He is dependable and trustworthy even when we may not trust him. Ask Him to help you be dependable without a doubt with what he has given you!
Looking Ahead
Next week, we will continue the month of March with our character trait, TRUSTWORTHY. We will be talking about the consequences for not trusting God's plan.
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