Time to Serve the Lord

1. THE NATURE AND NUMBER OF TALENTS (v14-18)

1. He gives them responsibilities in the light of their individual abilities and opportunities.
   1. God has given to us the complete revelation of the Triune God Himself in the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God – the Bible.
   2. He has given us His Holy Spirit.
   3. He has given us the Glorious Gospel of Redeeming Love, Mercy and Grace.
   4. He has given us Life and time. God does not hold you responsible for gifts He has not given you, only for the ones He has given you.

2. THE USE AND ABUSE OF THE TALENTS (v16-18)

1. The Five Talent Man – He immediately went and invested the resources.
2. The Two Talent Man – He was given less because he was created with less ability.
3. The One Talent Man – He was given under the same conditions and same possibilities as the others.

3. THE RETURN AND REWARD OF THE TALENTS (v19-30)

1. The great principle we learn is that the Lord is not going to ask us how much have we done for Him, but how faithful we have been in doing what He gave us to do. It is not success that counts, but faithfulness.

QUESTIONS. ICE-BREAKER:

ARE YOU MORE OF A SAVER OR A SPENDER? WHICH OF THE THREE SERVANTS CAN YOU RELATE TO MOST? WHY?

1. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MAIN MESSAGE OF THIS PARABLE? WHY DO YOU THINK THAT?
2. HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU ARE GIVEN A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY- NERVOUS OVERWHELMED OR CONFIDENT?
3. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE MASTER IN THIS STORY?
4. WHAT HAVE YOU INVESTED IN THE GOSPEL SO THAT IT IS PRODUCING DIVIDENDS IN YOUR LIFE?
5. IF THE MASTER RETURNED TODAY, HOW MUCH OF YOUR TALENTS AND POTENTIAL WOULD HE SAY YOU ARE USING FOR HIM RIGHT NOW? EXPLAIN.
6. WHAT NEW WAYS OF MULTIPLYING THE GOSPEL HAVE YOU COME UP WITH LATELY?
7. WHY IS IT FOOLISH TO TRY WORK OUT THE DATE OF CHRIST’S RETURN?
8. WHAT EXACTLY DOES JESUS MEAN BY TELLING HIS FOLLOWERS TO KEEP WATCH AND AWAKE?