God s People Got Talents KEY VERSE Matthew 5:16 STICKY STATEMENT Got talents got purpose. LESSON OBJECTIVE Children will learn that every child of God has been gifted by the Holy Spirit and will choose to use that gift for God s glory. CHECKLIST 1. A PowerPoint is available for this lesson. 2. Visuals 1-9 (Introduction) 3. Talents Handout (One for each child) (Introduction) 4. Video: Tabernacle model, https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/32-2/ (8:00) (Body) 5. Video: Crossroad Kids Club: MV Tabernacle https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/32-1/ (2:46) (Younger Adaptation) LESSON OVERVIEW Many times children do not understand that their unique skills and abilities are from God and can be used in very special ways to accomplish works for Him much greater than they could imagine. Utilizing the Scriptures (Exodus 31:2-11; 35:30-35) regarding the building of the Old Testament Tabernacle, we will demonstrate the specific talents God gave the Israelites which were needed to accomplish this God-sized task. Younger Adaptation Teacher s Note: Many children love to use their creativity to build with Legos. This creative video uses Legos and a song which encourages them to use their talents to work together. Show the video Crossroad Kids Club: MV Tabernacle, https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly1 8/32-1/ (2:46) How many of you are interested in building with Legos? Well, today I want to show you a very creative video that tells about the building of the tabernacle. Of course, we know that the real tabernacle wasn t built with Legos, but I wanted to share this fun video and song with you. 32. God s People Got Talents (Module 9 God s Agents) - 219
INTRODUCTION Teacher s Note: Show Visuals 1-9 which show different talents. After each slide, have the kids raise their hands if that talent would be one of their areas of interest. When you finish, pass out the talents handout with pencils to each child for them to check off the areas that they have an interest in. I have nine different visuals to show you different areas of talents or abilities. After each slide, raise your hand if it is a talent you have or may have an interest in. [Show Visuals 1-9.] Did you notice that not everybody in our group liked the same talents? We all don t have to be good at the same things because God created us all to be unique. Too often we wish we were like others instead of getting to know how God made us. Be happy with your unique abilities and interests. Now, I m going to pass out a handout for you to place a check by the talent(s) that interests you. Teacher s Note: Give the kids a few minutes to complete the handout and collect the pencils. They can place the papers in their Bibles or under their chair until after the lesson. Did you know that you are God s masterpiece? [Read Ephesians 2:10.] God has a big plan, and we are part of His great plan. Each of us has talents and abilities that we should use to honor God and serve others. No one talent is better than another. No person is unimportant. BODY Now that you have an idea about which talents you may have, let s look at Matthew 5:16 to see why God gives you these talents. [Read Matthew 5:16.] By using your talents to serve others, you are doing two things. First, it shows others your good works; and second, you are glorifying God by using the talents that He gave to you. Every believer can say, got talents-got purpose! There are lots of examples of talents and purpose in the Bible, but I would like to focus on one from the Old Testament from the book of Exodus. You may remember the story of Moses. He lead God s people out of slavery from Egypt, across the Red Sea, through the desert wilderness to their final destination the Promised Land. On their long journey, there were no churches for the Israelites to worship God. So, while Moses was on Mount Sinai, in addition to receiving the Ten Commandments, God gave Moses instructions for building a portable tabernacle. This tabernacle would be like a movable church tent. It would be the place where God was going to live among His people. After the tabernacle was set up, the priests would go into the tabernacle to offer sacrifices for the people s sins. God gave Moses very specific instructions as to how the tabernacle and the furniture should be built along with a list of materials to use for this project. The materials list included things like certain types of wood, animal skins, a special cloth, jewels, gold, and other rich items. Where would these materials come from? After all, there were no stores in the wilderness! God already helped the Israelites get some of these items even before they left Egypt. Let me read to you what God told Moses from Exodus 12:35-36. [Read Exodus 12:35-36.] The Israelites just had to ask the Egyptians for gold, silver, and clothes. Did you hear how the Egyptians responded? The Egyptians actually gave them everything that they asked for. Wow! That in itself is a miracle! 32. God s People Got Talents (Module 9 God s Agents) - 220
Okay, we know where the materials came from, but where would they get all the skilled craftsman to follow God s instructions? God had that part covered as well. Remember what those Israelite slaves were doing in Egypt for 400 years? They were building those magnificent pyramids and fancy palaces for the Pharaoh. Many of the Israelites were expert craftsman already trained to work with wood and metal. Also, the Egyptians were known for their fancy jewelry and clothing. Who do you think made all those lovely things? You guessed it the Israelite slaves. God even prepared the Israelites with every skill they would need to build the tabernacle. Got talents Got purpose! Teacher s Note: You can show this video of a replica of the tabernacle in Israel or if your church has access to pictures or a replica of the tabernacle, you can use it in place of the video suggested. The video is a tour of a tabernacle model made in Israel. You may show all or just part of this video. Tabernacle model. https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/32-2/ (8:00). The tabernacle was designed to be a very special place of worship for God s people. God was the architect, Moses was the construction foreman, and the Israelites were all the skilled workers needed to accomplish this God-sized task. The finished tabernacle was exactly what God had instructed Moses to build. Got talents Got purpose! Teacher s Note: If using the Younger Adaptation, show the Lego video of the tabernacle after this paragraph in the place of the rest of the Body of the lesson. When finished, continue teaching from the application. Crossroad Kids Club: MV Tabernacle https://teachersource.wol.org/videos/oly18/32-1/ (2:46) Here is a real life example of how using your skills and working together can be used for God s glory. In 2010, a tornado went through a rural county in Ohio. Many people lost their homes or had severe damage to their property. The church in the center of this area lost its steeple and had major roof damage. The church family and surrounding community came together to rebuild their church and homes. Just like the Israelites who used their skills to build the tabernacle, the people worked together sharing their supplies and their talents. People who were gifted in the areas of math and construction calculated the supplies needed for the repairs. Those who were gifted in music played their instruments during meal times and at several praise services. The cooks and bakers who prepared the meals for all the workers were also greatly appreciated! Got talents Got purpose! Teacher s Note: If using the Younger Adaptation, begin teaching with the content in the Application. APPLICATION God has given each one of you talents. If you are a believer, God will bring opportunities into your life for you to use your talents to glorify Him. Look for ways to use your talents in your family, your school, and in your community. When a team of people are willing to use their talents together, they can accomplish so much more for God. It s always better when we work together. Got talents Got purpose You marked your paper with the area that interested you the most. I would like to challenge you to think about how you could use your talents in ministry for the glory of God. Right now, you can practice using your talents to serve at home, in your church, or in the community. In the future, you may be able to go on a mission s trip to help with building projects, work with the tech team or be part of the music ministry. Remember the statement that I have been using throughout our lesson. Let s all say it together, Got talents Got purpose. 32. God s People Got Talents (Module 9 God s Agents) - 221
[Close with a prayer asking for a sincere commitment to seek God s help in using their skills and talents.] PERSONAL TRAINING TIME Goal of this Personal Training Time Children will understand that their skills and abilities are God-given. In using these skills and abilities God can accomplish His mission through them no matter how young they are. Discussion Questions 1. At the beginning of the lesson, what areas of interest did you choose? (Their answers will help you determine how to direct the next discussion on putting their skills and talents into actions.) 2. Why does God give each believer a talent? What are the two reasons? (First, that others will see our good works. Second, that our talents will bring glory to God.) 3. Challenge your Olympians to sign their commitment sheet and set some goals to use their talents for God. (As the PT Coach, be sure to help keep each child accountable to meet the goals.) PARENT CONNECTION We shared with your child that God gives talents to all believers to show others our good works and bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16). We showed how God prepared the Israelites in the Old Testament with their skills in order to build the tabernacle. Got talents Got purpose! As a family share examples of how God has allowed you to use your talents. Explore ways your family and your children can use their talents and skills in the community you live. Also, encourage your children to pursue new areas of interest that could prepare them for future service opportunities. 32. God s People Got Talents (Module 9 God s Agents) - 222
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