Identifying Talents and Abilities
Let us remember
- What did God create?
- How are human beings different from the rest of the creation?
God’s purpose for my life
Activity 1: Discussion
In pairs, do the following:
- Give the meaning of the word purpose using a dictionary.
- Look at the pictures below and discuss God’s purpose in Jude and Jane’s life.
God’s purpose means stating the reason God created us.
One of God’s purposes for Jude is to take care of animals.
One of God’s purposes for Jane is to take care of plants.
Activity 2: Answering Questions
In class:
- Write a composition on God’s purpose in your life?
- Present your composition in class.
Activity 3: Discussion
In pairs:
- Discuss why it is important to live a purposeful life.
- Present your points in class.
Activity 4: Bible Reading
In class:
Read Jeremiah 29:11 and answer the questions.
- According to the verse, who knows the plans for your life?
- What kind of plans does God have for you?
- How do God’s plans in the verse apply to Christians today?
Activity 5: Reciting
In groups:
- Retell Jeremiah 29:11.
- Recite the verse to your class.
- What are the lessons from the readings?
- Present in class.
Lessons learnt from the verse
- God alone knows the plans He has for our lives.
- God’s purpose for our lives is to make us successful.
- His purpose is to give us a good future full of hope.
- God’s promises are not to bring disaster in our lives.
Activity 6: Singing
With guidance of your teacher, sing the following song using your own tune.
When He calls me
When He calls me, I will answer × 3
I’ll be somewhere working for my Lord
I’ll be somewhere
Working, working somewhere × 2
Working for my Lord
I’ll be somewhere
Working, working somewhere × 2
Working for my Lord
Questions
- What do you learn from the song?
The Parable of the Talents
Activity 7: Reading
In turns, read what these learners are saying about their talents.
Questions
- What is a talent?
- Identify your talent or talents.
- Talents are special gifts that God has given us.
- God has also given us abilities.
- Abilities are the skills we have to do something well.
Activity 8: Reading and Writing
Read what Grade Five learners have written about talents and abilities. Write the points in your exercise book and answer the questions that follow.
- Talents are special abilities or gifts that God has given us.
- Each person is given different talents and abilities.
- Some people are given talents such as running, cooking, dancing and acting.
- All talents and abilities are important.
- We should use our talents for the good of other people.
Questions
- What are talents and abilities?
- What talent or talents has God given you?
- Why has God given you these talents?
- How will you use your talents?
Activity 9: Work in Groups
In groups, answer the following questions:
- Why is it important to know your talents and abilities?
- Write your points in your exercise books.
- Present in class.
Activity 10: Discussion
- In pairs, list down in the table below the reasons why you should enjoy participating in different activities at home, school and church.
Home | School | Church |
- How do you use your talents and abilities to benefit yourself and others.
- Present your answers in class.
Activity 11: Bible Reading
- In pairs read James 1:17.
- What does this verse teach you about talents and abilities?
Activity 12: Bible Reading
- In turns read Matthew 25: 14–30.
- Narrate the parable of the talents.
- Write the story in your exercise book.
The master and three servants
Activity 13: Story Telling
In class read the story below and answer the questions.
- Look at the picture.
- Read the story and answer the questions that follow.
A man had put three servants in charge of his property when he was away on a journey. He expected each one to invest the money and make more. The first servant was given 5,000 gold coins. The second servant was given 2,000 gold coins and the third 1,000 gold coins.
When the master came back, from his journey, he asked the servants to report what they had done with the money he had given them. The first servant who was given 5,000 gold coins invested the money wisely and earned 5,000 gold coins more. The second servant invested the money and earned 2,000 gold coins more. The master was pleased with the first and second servants and told them “Well done good and faithful servants.”
Instead of investing the money, the third servant buried it in the ground. He, therefore, brought back the 1,000 gold coins the master had given him. The master was angry with him and told him, “You bad and lazy servant.” He took the 1,000 gold coins and gave it to the servant who had 10,000 gold coins.
Jesus used this parable to teach Christians that they should use their talents and abilities well. Those who use their talents well will be blessed by God. Those who do not use their talents well will be punished.
Questions
- Why was the master happy with the first and second servants?
- How did the master show that he was unhappy with the third servant?
- What did the master say to show that he was happy with the first and second servants?
- Why did the third servant not invest the money?
- If you were the master, how would you have treated the third servant?
Lessons and values christians can apply from the parable of the talents
Activity 14: Discussion
In groups:
- Read the parable of the talents from Matthew 25:14-30.
- Discuss lessons Christians can learn from the parable of the talents.
- How will you use these lessons in your daily life?
- Present your points in class.
Activity 15: Matching
Match the statements in table A and B to form lessons learnt from the parable of the talents.
A | B |
We should work hard | if we do not use our talents well. |
God will punish us | when we use our talents and abilities. |
We should use our talents | use our talents and abilities well. |
We should use our imagination and creativity | in a responsible way. |
God blesses us when we | when using our talents and abilities. |
We should use our talents and abilities | to glorify God. |
Activity 16: Discussion
In pairs:
- Identify values learnt from the parable of the talents.
- Present in class.
Activity 17: Completing the Table
Indicate how each of the values in the table is identified in the parable of the talents.
Value | Example from the parable |
1. Responsibility | |
2. Obedience | |
3. Hard work | |
4. Loyalty |
Video
With the guidance of your teacher, watch a video clip on the parable of the talents using a digital device.
Discuss lessons learnt from the parable.
Activity 18: Working in Pairs
In pairs:
- Discuss why it is important to identify your talents.
- Write your answers on flashcards.
- Display your flashcards in the CRE area in your class.
Think about this
Suppose your uncle gave you Ksh 2,000. How would you use your talents and abilities to make more money? Present your findings to the class.
School Activity
- Narrate the parable of the talents to members of the Bible Club in your school.
- Discuss with them the benefits of talents and abilities to self and others.
- Report the activity to your teacher.
- Present your report in class.
Home activity
With the guidance of your parent or guardian:
- Choose an activity you enjoy doing.
- Perform it as your parent or guardian watch.
- Present in class why you enjoy performing the activity.
Community Service Activity
With the guidance of your Sunday or Sabbath School teacher, use your talent of singing to compose and teach a song to the children’s choir:
- Choose a Christian theme.
- Compose a song on the theme.
- Using your own tune, practise the song.
- Teach the song to other children in the community.
- Sing it in church.
- Report how you did this activity to your teacher.
- Present your report on this activity in class portfolio.
What I have learnt
- God created every person for a purpose.
- God has given every person special talents and abilities.
- I should use my God-given talents for the good of myself and other people.
What I will do
- I will thank God for making me know my purpose.
- I will use my God-given talents to serve other people.
- I will be responsible in using my talents for the good of my community.
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