Use your talents for God!
key words
biblical reference
Exodus 25:1-9, 31:1-11, 1 Peter 4:10
lesson objective
To help children identify some of their talents and encourage them to use those talents for the service of the Lord
memory verse
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV*)
prepare yourself to teach
In Exodus 25, all of the materials that God wanted for the construction of his Tabernacle are mentioned. Then he describes to Moses the specific measurements and designs for everything that should be in the tabernacle. Maybe Moses asked, “Who can do all of this?” He was the political, religious, and military leader, but he had no artistic talent to do everything God asked.
It was not God’s purpose to just miraculously build his temple. No, he wanted people to build it, using their God-given talents. God chooses, prepares and directs his servants to complete daily tasks. God chose Bezalel and Oholiab as Moses’ helpers to create beautiful pieces for the tabernacle.
God called these men specifically to make artistic objects with gold, silver, precious stones, metals, fabric, wood, animal skins, etc. And he equipped them to make different things like banisters, carpentry, carved jewelry, clothing, etc.
In addition to their natural talents, God also gave them the Holy Spirit so they could work with wisdom, intelligence and discipline. What a privilege for those two men. They did not do all the work by themselves; they had many artists who they directed until they finished making the beautiful sanctuary in which to praise God.
It is interesting to discover that serving God is not a result of having sufficient talents or abilities; it is because we have been chosen by God and directed by the Holy Spirit. Many times, we serve God because he chose us for a special purpose. But sometimes we serve because we just like to. We might not be sure that what we are doing is something that God has called us to do. Nevertheless when this happens, 1 Peter 4:10 is helpful: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
introduce the lesson
Review Activity: Who am I?
To remember the lesson, divide the group into two teams; read each of the following statements and then ask, ‘Who am I?’ The team that chimes in first should be able to say who said the phrase. Each correct answer is worth 10 points and the team that has the most points at the end wins.
1. Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me. (Abraham)
2. We require this pasture for the game and flocks of our master. (The shepherds)
3. I choose the Jordan plain. (Lot)
4. God has sent us to destroy the city of Sodom. (Angels)
5. If you go towards the left, I will go to the right; if you go towards the right, I will go to the left. (Abraham)
6. Get up, leave this place’ because Yahweh will destroy this city. (Lot to his sons-in-law or Angels to Lot)
7. We are going to move to Sodom. (Lot)
After the review, talk to your children about the talents and abilities that God has given them. Explain that God has given human beings talents to be used in specific areas like music, math, business, manual labor, farming/gardening, organization…
teach the lesson
Ask, “Have you ever tried to help build something? How did you feel when you finished?” (Let them relate their experiences.) Ask them to pay attention while you read the Bible story:
“Bezalel! Bezalel!” called Oholiab, “Where are you off to so fast?”
“I’m going to Moses’ tent,” responded Bezalel. “He wants to talk with me.”
“He asked me to come as well,” said Oholiab.
“I wonder what he wants to tell us. I’m sure it has something to do with building the tabernacle,” said Bezalel, while they hurried to meet Moses.
They knew that God had given plans to Moses to build the tabernacle. This would be a place for the whole community to unite and praise God. Moses told Bezalel and Oholiab that God had chosen them to lead the construction of the tabernacle. This would be a huge mobile tent, since the Israelites traveled so much. Therefore, the tabernacle would look like a tent on the outside, but would be amazingly beautiful on the inside.
When Bezalel and Oholiab got to Moses’ tent, he greeted them. “Welcome! I’ve asked you to come so I can tell you what God told me when I was on Mount Sinai,” Moses said. “The Lord said to me, ‘Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I’ll show you.’ God has promised that if we do everything exactly as He has instructed us that His presence will descend upon the tabernacle and He will dwell there,” continued Moses.
“The city has brought many offerings,” said Bezalel.
“Yes,” agreed Moses, “We have all the materials that we need. The community was very happy to give what they had for the construction of the tabernacle.”
“They’ve brought, gold, silver, wood, and fine linen,” said Oholiab.
“Now we are ready to get started on building the Tabernacle just like God showed us,” continued Moses.
“What would you like us to do?” Bezalel asked.
“When I was on Mount Sinai,” responded Moses, “the Lord also told me, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him.’”
Bezalel and Oholiab were happy to have been chosen by God for this job but they were scared. When he noticed this, Moses said, “Do not be afraid, God has chosen you for this construction and he’s given you the talents and ability to do so.”
“This is such a huge job,” said Oholiab, “can we really do it?”
“Yes,” replied Moses, “God and the people will help you so you know what to do.”
Some artists worked on the wood. Others made decorations out of gold and silver for the inside of the tabernacle. Some sewed animal skins together for the outside of the sanctuary. Others made curtains and still others made clothes for the priests.
At the end of the narration, ask:
• What decisions did Bezalel and Oholiab make when God told them what to do?
• What abilities or talents did they use to serve God?
• Who helped Bezalel and Oholiab to build the tabernacle?
• What happened when Moses, Bezalel and Oholiab obeyed God?
connect the lesson
Lesson review
Give the children Student Activity Sheet #266-B and #266-C and help them review the lesson. I will do it for God.
Tell your children that just like Bezalel and Oholiab, we also can serve God. Have them write on Student Activity Sheet #266-A the abilities and talents that they have that they have decided to use for God’s purpose.
Learning activity
Have the children share what they wrote on Student Activity Sheet #266-D and help them make plans to use their talents in church. (Emphasis what 1 Peter 4:10 says.)
practice the memory verse
Verse of the month club
Ask who remembers the memory verse. If they can say it, make them part of the Verse of the Month Club. Give everyone an opportunity to say the verse. Bring it written on a piece of cardboard and cut it up, word by word; give each child a piece of cardboard and have them organize themselves so the verse is in the correct order. Have them repeat it aloud together and then let them say it from memory. Relate it to today’s lesson.
wrap-up
Pray
End the session by praying for your children, that the Lord allows them to use their abilities to honor him and bring him glory.
Encourage
Encourage the children to find ways to give thanks this week for the abilities and talents that God has given them.
Invite
Thank your children for their attendance and announce something about the next lesson to spark interest in them. Remind them to welcome visitors.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™