The idea of talent in the multiplication of bread.

SCRIPTURE:

Mathew 14:13-21

OBJECTIVES:

1. Show that a context or situation can encourage us to use our talents;

2. Show that talent in this context is what we have at hand; what is available for us to use;

3. Focus our thoughts on the words of Jesus:

4. “You give them something to eat”.

5. Show the importance of hustling in life.

INTRODUCTION:

Start the lesson with a short song and/or a prayer.

PRESENTATION:

After hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” In other words, use what you have, do not place the responsibility on someone else; instead of sending these people away to go and disturb someone else, you yourselves do something. Given that the disciples had some money, they answered the master: should we go and buy food for all these people? “How much bread do you have?” He asked them. After verifying, they answered: “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.”

“Bring them here to me,” He said. And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. What was the problem at hand when Jesus landed from the boat?

2. How did the disciples think they could solve the problem?

3. What did Jesus suggest?

4. What talent did the disciples have?

5. Is there a lesson for us to learn from this story?

ACTIVITIES:

Reproduce the dialogue between the disciples who thought the solution was elsewhere and Jesus who was convinced that the disciples should use their talent, meaning what they have at hand, what is available.

The disciples: Master, it is getting late, there is nothing to eat here; tell the crowd to go and buy something to eat in the nearby villages.

Jesus: No, You give them something to eat!

The disciples: Should we go and buy bread to give them to eat?

Jesus: How much bread do you have? Go and check.

The disciples (checked and answered): We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.

Jesus: Make the people to sit down on the grass.

RESOURCE PERSON:

The Sunday school teacher decides if he/she needs somebody to help clarify the Scripture.

ACTION TO ENCOURAGE:

In other countries, Sunday school children raise funds to help others (cf. “Samaritans purse”). Ask the children what they can do, with the help of their parents, to help members of the congregation who are in need.

MEMORY VERSE:

“But he answered; you give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37).

CLOSING:

Close with a short song and or the dominical prayer.