CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH, NIGERIA FOR SUNDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2023.

To help the child realise that God has equipped him/her with special abilities and expects him/her to use them faithfully in promoting His work.

OBJECTIVE:

During and after the lesson, each child will show that he/she understands the lesson by:

1. Mentioning some talents and abilities God has given him/her and identifying ways he/she can use them in service to God and man during the coming week.

2. Saying the memory verse.

OUTLINE:

1. Jesus Tells a Story about Talents – Luke 19:11-26

2. John the Baptist and His Talents – John 1:19-28

3. Believers and Their Talents – 2 Timothy 2: 1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:58

INTRODUCTION:

Can you think of something you feel you do very well, that is, something you can say you are good at? Everybody has something he does well. Some can sing very well, others can teach well while others can preach well. This is in the spiritual. Even in non-spiritual things, we see people who are talented in certain areas. They are able to play an instrument well, play football, be a star athlete, be an outstanding student, etc.

Using talents is very important for when a talent is not used then it is lost. A person who can sing well should endeavour to practise and sing; otherwise he will find it difficult to continue singing well. Practice, they say, makes perfect. It is this practice element that has to do with using one’s talents for God.

LESSON COMMENTARY:

1. Jesus Tells a Story about Talents – Luke 19:11-26

The disciples thought that the kingdom of heaven would come immediately. Jesus told them a story about a certain rich man show it was not so. The rich man was about to travel abroad for the purpose of getting a kingdom for himself. He called ten of his servants and gave them money to invest in business while he was away.

When he returned, he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first came and said he made a profit of ten talents. The master praised him and made him in charge of ten kingdoms. The second came and announced that he made a profit of five talents. The master praised him and put him in charge of five cities. Then the third came and told the master that he kept thè money he was given in handkerchief and did not put it into business. He said he was afraid of the master who he said was a very hard man who reaped where he did not sow and took things that he did not keep.

Angrily the master ordered the others to take the money from him and give it to one that made ten talents. Jesus then said more would be given to those who have but the person that has not even little he has would be taken from him and given to the one that has.

2. John the Baptist and His Talent – John 1: 19-28

John the Baptist had his own talent even before he was born. He was sent to be a voice that would tell the people of Israel that the Messiah was coming. In our lesson this week, the Jews sent their priest and Levites to ask John who hể was. He told them plainly that he was not the Christ. And when they Insisted on knowing whether he was Elijah or one of the Prophets, he told them that he was a voice in the wilderness telling people to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

His talent was not a very attractive one. He was sent to be a voice. Yet, he used it faithfully in serving God. and man, He didn’t pretend to be someone special. He was not jealous of Jesus who has more attractive talents and was greater than him. He even confessed that Jesus was preferred before him and that he was not even worthy to untie His shoes. He was satisfied to do the work of preparing the way for Jesus that God has given him to do.

3. Believers and Their Talents – 2 Timothy 2:1, 2; 1 Cor. 15:58

Paul wrote to Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. He urged him to teach the things he had learned to faithful people who would use their talents in serving God and others. These people would in turn, teach others.

The memory verse says believers should always abound in the work of the Lord. Jesus left them with work to do and He has given each of them talents to use in that work. They do not have to sit back and expect others to do the job they ought to do. Paul went on to say in this verse that whoever is faithful in using his talents to serve God will surely be rewarded. His labour in the Lord will not be in vain. Believers who are faithful and dependable in using their talents to labour for the Lord should know this comforting fact.

APPLICATION

God has given each of us some gifts and special abilities and expects us to use them faithfully to serve Him and our fellow human beings. What we don’t use we lose. We all have been given the same chance, time, and the means to live for Christ and serve Him by our words and our deeds. In prayer, through offerings, by acts of kindness, and in many other ways. The more we use our talents for God’s work, the more He will bless and multiply them. We should not blame our disobedience on others or on God like the unfaithful servant when in actual fact we are simply lazy.

God will guide us in using our talents and abilities in the best way possible. This is one way we can witness about Christ with our lives. This, however should not prevent us from using our mouths to tell others about Jesus.

QUESTIONS

1. Why did one of the servants keep the money he was given in a handkerchief and did not put it into business?

(A) He was afraid of the master whom he said was a very hard man.

(B) He was very sick.

(C) There was no good business he could do.

(D) He did not attain basic education.

2. What was John the Baptist sent to do? He was sent

(A) To play football.

(B) To play instrument for Jesus in the temple.

(C) To be a voice that would tell the people of Israel that the Messiah was coming.

(D) To become the Messiah

3. What did Paul urge Timothy to do? He urged him to

(A) punish people who refused to use their talents.

(B) teach the things he had learned to faithful people who would use their talents in serving God and others.

(C) keep the things he had learnt to himself.

(D) Not to allow other people to teach in the temple.

4. Why did God give each of His children some gifts and special abilities? He expects us

(A) to use them faithfully to serve Him and our fellow human beings.

(B) to serve ourselves with them.

(C) be jealous and dislike people who are using their talents and gifts.

(D) all of the above.

DAILY BIBLE DOSE:

Mon: Serve God with Your Talents – 1 Chro 22:14-14

Tues: Trading with Your Talents 1 – Matt 25:15-21

Wed: Trading with Your Talents 2 – Matt 25:21-23

Thurs: Trading with Your Talents 3 – Matt 25:24-30

Fri: Reason for Your Talents – 1 Cor 12:4-11

Sat: Discover Your Talents – Eph 4:7-8