Superhero movies are fun to watch. It’s always crazy to think that the giant job of saving a whole city comes down to only one person! Have you ever watched one of those movies and wondered if you would ever get a really big responsibility? Have you ever caught yourself wishing you could get to do something more important? This week, we looked at what the Bible says about being entrusted with big responsibilities.
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 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: God helps me be faithful with what He has given me
We looked at the Parable of the Talents this week, which Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 25:14-30. In the story, there are 3 servants given 3 different amounts of money, based on how capable and trustworthy the master thought they would be with it. They were given excessively high amounts (one talent was worth around 6000 denarii, which was equivalent to 16 1/2 YEARS of wages for the average man at this time). These servants were given BIG responsibilities, and the master had high expectations upon his return. Two of the servants were faithful, and one was not.
Family Questions:
- Look at Matthew 25:14-30 together. Who are the 4 characters in this story? Which servants get what? (Draw a picture to show all 4 characters with a note of what they were given)
- What did the master expect his servants to do? What did they end up doing? (Make notes of this on your picture too)
- How did the master respond to the first and second servants? Would you trust them? Why?
- How did the master respond to the third servant? Would you trust the third servant with any other big jobs? Why or why not?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
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TEACHER: Be Faithful Now
At dinner this week, read 1 Timothy 1:12. Who ultimately is in control of our lives? (God) Discuss with your family the responsibilities God has given each of you and to your family as a whole right now. Brainstorm ways you can be faithful with these specific things right now.
FRIEND: Memorize God’s Word
While driving in the car this week, practice this month’s memory verse together (Hebrews 10:23). Need help? Make up hand motions to go with each word. Put the verse to a familiar song, or have your kids make up their own silly version of a song (opera style, cowboy style, underwater style, etc.) Be sure to also talk about what it means that we can always trust God!
COUNSELOR: Am I Trustworthy?
During bedtime this week, ask your child if you have acted in a trustworthy way toward them. Listen to their feedback, if any, and pray together for God to help you be more trustworthy. Then ask your child(ren) if they think they are trustworthy with what they’ve been given. Pray together for God to help them be more trustworthy too. Think of small specific examples to practice being faithful with small things this week.
COACH: Be a Faithful Steward
Give everyone in your family a set amount of money this week (it can be small or large), and have everyone pray of how they want to invest/multiply/bless the money they’ve been entrusted with this week. It could mean helping someone financially that is in need. It might mean spending the money on a lemonade stand to raise money for a specific cause or family in need. It might mean spending the money on craft supplies to make gifts for people who need a smile and a gift (maybe in a hospital or in a nursing home). Be creative, and let your kids lead out in creative ideas!
Prayer
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 & ask Him to help you be faithful with all of the things He’s given you. Ask Him to help you see all you have is really His.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue our study on being trustworthy, looking at the story of someone who didn’t act in a trustworthy way in Genesis 27.
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