Big Idea: Living with intention “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had received two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was mine with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mathew 25:14-30 Have you placed your complete trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ? I will choose to live with intention by: Taking inventory of talents and opportunities Using talents and opportunities, what does an intentional life look like Striving to be better not your best Family Corner: [Choose one day this week to ask questions to go deeper in faith as a family. Try this over dinner. Keep it to 12 minutes or less.] Open in Prayer. This guide aims to facilitate a meaningful discussion, encourage personal reflection, and foster mutual support within your small group. Feel free to adapt it to better fit your group’s dynamics and needs. Big Idea: Living with intention When Jesus tells his parable, he decides to use a talent as the resource he gives to each of the servants. Since we know a talent has such great value (20 years of one man’s wages), what do you think the talent would represent to His listeners? Why are each servant given different amounts? How do you think the listeners reacted to that? Was it unfair? What are some of the reasons that the third servant thought he could get away with treating the master’s resources the way he did ? Based on the excuse he gave, what do you think he thought of the master? When the master repeats back the third servant’s accusations about him, do you think he is doing it in agreement or is he being sarcastic? Do you think the first two servants had the same view of the master? In the end, the third servant blamed the master for his own laziness and fear. Why do you think blaming the master would keep the servant from learning from his mistake? What “talents” do you think God has given to you? What are your responsibilities given you possess these “talents?” What will the future look like if you put the talents to good use?