Aim

To introduce the gifts of the Spirit.
To help children understand they have gifts and talents.

Preparation

Before the lesson read the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Photocopy one worksheet for each group.

Lesson

Begin lesson by asking children to make a list of what they consider to be their talents. Invite individuals to share their lists with the rest of the class. Is there anyone in the class whom the children would consider particularly talented?

Now ask them to make another list of talents which they would like to possess.

• Is there a talent which is greatly valued and sought after?
• How are they to go about acquiring these?
• Has anyone in the class had the experience of acquiring a new talent?
• What is the difference between 'a talent' and 'a gift'? (Answer: a gift is a talent which did not have to be earned.)
• Which of the children's talents are gifts?
• Do they know any 'gifted' people?

Christians believe that the Holy Spirit brings with Him a whole set of gifts.

According to the Bible, the gifts of the Spirit include:

• the ability to speak in a different language
• the ability to understand a different language
• the ability to trust in God no matter what
• the ability to understand the Bible
• the ability to communicate God's words to other people
• the ability to heal people
• the ability to perform miracles
• the ability to know things about God and other people
• the ability to make the right decisions and say the right words
• the ability to know when someone is for real

Which of these gifts would the children like to receive? Which could they happily live without?

Activity

In groups, ask them to arrange the list in order of preference.

• Would this order be the same as for the order of importance?
• How would the children use their preferred gifts?

According to the Bible, the gifts cannot be used for selfish purposes but only for the glory of God.

All Christians receive gifts of the spirit, but not all Christians use them.

Jesus told a rather scary story about people who do not use their talents. Share with children the Parable of the Talents. What caused the servant to bury his single talent?

How do the children use their own natural gifts and talents?

Conclusion

Conclude lesson with a shared commitment to use the talents and gifts within the class for the benefit of the class as a whole.