Spending Your Talents

Read It: Matthew 25:18 (NRSV)

18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 


Learn It:
This verse comes from the story of the Parable of the Talents.  1 Talent in Jesus' time was worth about 15 years worth of a regular workers wages.  So when the man in the parable hands his servants 5, 2, and 1 talents for them to care for, you can see a person handed this much money might be a bit hesitant to try to spend it because there is a good chance they could never pay the money back.  However, Jesus shows us that it is good for us to 'risk' using our talents (our gifts) for the master's will (God) than to hide it in a hole.  Jesus is telling all of us to use the gifts we have been given instead of hiding them or only using them for ourselves.  


Share It:
What kinds of talents (not the money kind in the story) do you have that you can use to glorify God?  What are ways that you can make your gifts 'double' as the servants did in the parable that Jesus tells?  How can using the gifts God gave you make them do more than just knowing you have them?  Do you know what gifts you have?  Do you think you have discovered all of them right now or do you think you might have more gifts from God waiting to be discovered?


Live It:
Spend this next week using the good gifts that God gave you to help others or to spread the word of God.  Gifts (talents) come in all different shapes and sizes and sometimes might not even seem like a gift.  Try to use what you're good at to help your neighbors out this week.  Maybe you'll discover a new talent in the process!

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Interactions

Read It:  Matthew 5:3-12 (NRSV)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 


Learn It:
There has always been much discussion about the beatitudes listed above.  Many people wonder why Jesus would say blessed (or happy) are those people who experience these things.  This passage is one that tends to stump a lot of people about what Jesus means by all of these sayings.  One thing you could say that these sayings all boil down to is our attitude/behavior toward God and toward our neighbors.  They don't have to deal with following certain laws or rituals but instead about how we interact with those we encounter. 


Share It:
With the idea that these qualities might be behaviors or attitudes toward God and neighbor read the passage above again line by line and try to see as a family how your responses might fit into each one.  How did you see the passage before you came up with your responses and how do you see the passage now?  Is it more confusing now or less confusing?  


Live It:
Try to pick one of the above beatitudes and try one out.  If it is one that you decided works with God then interact with God that way this week and if you chose a one that has to do with your neighbor then try to figure out how you can interact with a neighbor in that way.  

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Survey Says...

Read It: Matthew 22:37-40 (NRSV)

37 He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Learn It:

At the time of this question about what is the greatest commandment Jesus has already entered into Jerusalem for the final part of his ministry leading up to his death.  The Pharisees and Sadducees are doing whatever they can to try to stop Jesus and have his followers deny him.  They ask a series of questions trying to trick him into answering their questions in such a way that will prove that he is not a prophet but simply a phony who isn't worth following at all.  The reason why this question was meant to be tricky is that there were 613 mitzvot (commands) in the Old Testament.  As Christians we only focus on the 10 Commandments but every time God declared the people to do something it became a mitzvot, a commandment.  So you can see the whole idea of picking which one is greater than the rest is not quite so easy.  

Share It:

Think about your favorite items.  What are they (color, ice cream, sport, instrument, musical group, movie, TV show, subject in school, etc)?  Is it always easy to come up with your single most favorite thing for everything?  If your parents (whether you are an adult or child right now) gave you 613 rules to follow (I know it may seem like they do or did) do you think you could remember all of them well enough to make sure that you didn't break a single one of them?  What if they broke it down to something simple like love your parents and love your siblings?  Would that be easier?  Why or why not?  Talk about these questions and anything else that may come up during your time together.

Live It:

Spend this next week living by rules of love God and love your neighbor as yourself.  It's just two rules you have to follow this week.  See how well you do and see how loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself might change the way that you interact with people this week.  

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Giving Your All

Read It: Matthew 22:21b (NRSV)

 “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Learn It:

Jesus shows the Pharisees that we must obey the civil laws of the society that we live in but we must also live out the calling that God has called us to be and do.  When we are baptized we die to our old lives and we then live out our new lives in Christ Jesus.  Those new lives are dedicated to the service of God who created all things.  Since God created all things the idea about giving to God what is God's is really about giving God our everything.  Jesus is teaching the Pharisees and us that our lives need to reflect the promises and gifts that God gives us each day.  The way we live out those gifts is how we give to God what is God's...which again is our all.

Share It:

Based on what you read above what does it mean to you to give to God what is God's and give to the emperor (the government) what is the emperor's?  In what ways do you already do that?  What are some ways that you can continue to give your all to God?  What are areas that you might be able to do more for God?  When you first read this passage did the idea of belonging to God come to mind or what did you think the passage was about?  How has your perspective changed?  How might it have stayed the same?  Discuss these and other questions or ideas that come up during your conversations.

Live It:

In the Share It section you talked about what areas you might be able to do more for God.  Use that idea or pick one if you had several and figure out a way to live that out this week.  See how giving more back to God who created all of this for us might help you to become closer to God and to the rest of God's creation.  

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The Fairness of God

Read It: Matthew 20:11-16 (NRSV)
11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”


Learn It:
When I was a child I always had the impression that God was fair.  After all, God loves everyone and we are all God's children so God must be fair and equal to each and every one of us.  That is what I was brought up understanding (whether I taught that to myself or learned it I don't remember exactly).
While I was in seminary I spent some time chatting with a professor about fairness.  As you might guess the professor brought up this passage and asked me if in this passage I thought God was fair.  I couldn't help but answer with a "no" even though I very much wanted to say yes because of my childhood understanding that I brought into adulthood.  God loves us all but that doesn't equal God is fair to us all.  All the workers in the passage above received the same wage even though they didn't all work the same amount.  God gives us all the gift of life and gives us God's promises no matter what.  We may not want "this person" or "that person" to be saved as we are because they didn't believe as much or as well or they weren't as "good" a Christian as we were.  Fortunately it's not up to us.  God loves us all...no matter what.  Salvation is up to God not us.  Trust me when I say that is a VERY GOOD thing!


Share It:
What do you think about this whole idea of God being or not being fair?  What is your impression or feelings about this?  How would you differentiate fairness from God to God's love for everyone?  What are examples that you can come up with that show that God isn't fair?  Do you think God should be fair in everything or do you think that God should be "generous" in God's promises and gifts?  Share you answers and any other questions that might come up during your time together.


Live It:
Spend this next week trying to do what is loving and generous not necessarily what is fair.  There are times when those two things might be different.  If you can't find a way to do it yourself spend the next week watching others and see if you can identify times when people are being fair but not loving and times when people are being loving but not fair.  Good luck!

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Forgiveness

Read It: Matthew 18:21-35 ( NRSV)

21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 

Learn It:

Today, as you may know, is September 11 and it has been 10 years since the attacks on the Twin Towers.  I think it is very profound and wonderful that today's Gospel reading is the text that Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness.  One of the helpful things to know is that 7 is a special number.  6 is the number of days that God created the world and on the seventh day he rested.  We also see the number 7 appear again and again in the Old Testament.  Seven has become the number for perfection, so when Peter asks how many times should I forgive he is picking the perfect number...he thinks anything more than that would be superfluous.  Jesus corrects him by telling him not 7 times but 77 times (or 70x7 which = 490!).  Either way to forgive someone that many times is great and meant to show that there is really no end to the amount of times we should forgive someone.

I know that many people still hurt from the attacks, but the power to forgive and heal from our past and from the injuries of others is something that is hard but very powerful.  The more we forgive the more we are able to move our lives forward and move forward God's Kingdom.  

Share It:

What does it mean to you to forgive someone?  What all needs to take place/happen so that you might feel you have forgiven someone?  What does it take for you to feel like someone truly forgives you for something you have done?  Why does it seem so hard to forgive at times?  Talk about these questions and anything else that may come up during your conversation.  

Live It:

Spend this week focusing on forgiveness.  Try to forgive someone without holding a grudge or holding it over them for very long.  At the same time make a genuine form of forgiveness.  Don't just tell them you forgive them for what they did but really reconcile your differences so that you both can return back to the relationship you had before whatever happened.  It may be harder and take more time but I think it'll be better in the long run.

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Food vs. Words

Read It: Matthew 15:10-12 (NRSV)

10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 

Learn It:

In the Old Testament there are different laws about what types of food you can and cannot eat.  For Jesus to basically say that you can eat any kind of food goes against a number of laws that the Pharisees hold onto as part of their faith.  Jesus tries to point out that the greater evil of the mouth is not what goes in (food and water) but what comes out (our words).  When I was little I used to hear and even say the phrase, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me".  I have since learned that that phrase is not true at all.  There are things that we say that is not nice or helpful and when we're angry we even say things that are downright mean.  We may later feel sick for things we ate or how much we ate but there are times when the words we say can cause great trouble and rifts.  Words are more dangerous than the food we eat.

Share It:

What might be some things recently that you have said that you later regretted saying because you realize that it might have been wrong or hurtful to say?  Why do you think that we sometimes say things before we think them through?  What are some specific ways that we can use words to build each other up?  What are ways that we can be more careful of the words we choose to say?  

Live It:

This next week spend some time building people up with words of kindness.  Take this week to really think about the words that come out of your mouth before you say them.  When you are talking to someone really listen to what they have to say, think about how to respond, then respond to them with your carefully chosen words.  See how spending some intentional time choosing words might affect your conversations this week and in the future.  

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The Power of Water

Read It:  Matthew 14:26-27 (NRSV)

26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 

Learn It:

Water is a very powerful image in the Bible.  In the Old Testament it is often associated with chaos in one's life.  Water was also very dangerous because of storms and creatures in the sea that could cause fisherman to never return to the shore again.  Of course I don't think that times have changed too much.  If you have ever seen the show, "Deadliest Catch" or some of the others like it on the Discovery Channel then you will know that even today seas and oceans can be very dangerous and difficult places to traverse.  The disciples are justified, in my opinion, in thinking they saw a ghost because nothing should be out in a storm like that...especially something walking on the water.  Water gives us life as well.  Without water to drink we cannot live.  Also water is what gives us new life with Jesus when we are baptized.  Water is a powerful element in our lives.

Share It:

Talk with your family about the different ways you use water on a daily basis.  What are the different ways that we use water?  What are ways that water is beneficial for us?  In what ways does water still show itself as dangerous?  What are some ways that we can use water to be a blessing in our lives and for our faith?  Share these thoughts and others that may come up during you talk together.

Live It:

Spend this next week paying attention to all the ways that you use water.  Think about how water is used to bring about life.  What might be something you can do with water this week to continue to bring about life in this world?  When you come up with it try it.

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A Reminder

Read It: Matthew 28:1-10

28 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” 

Learn It:

What an amazing morning!  The two Mary's were probably on their way to the tomb to go and mourn the loss of Jesus, as was the custom when a loved one passed away, when an angel of the Lord not only appears but causes a great commotion.  The angel then tells them something they already knew!  I'm here to remind you that Jesus isn't here...he's gone like he said he would be.  Go and tell the disciples.  Then as they are on their way Jesus comes to them and he too reminds them to go and tell the disciples and also lets them know where he will be to speak with them.

Jesus told them before he died that he would rise from the dead; then an angel appears to them on the day of the resurrection to remind them that he has risen; and finally Jesus reminds them again that he is risen and to tell the disciples.  3 times the disciples including these Mary's are reminded of his resurrection!

Share It:

What are some things that you need to remind your brothers or sisters, or child(ren), or parents about because it is so important?  How many times do you think would be the right amount to remind someone of something you think is really important?  Is there anything so important that you think you will always repeat it so that you remind others?  What kinds of things do you think God wants us to remember?  What constant reminders do you think God sends us?  Share these and other thoughts with your family.

Live It:

With the excitement of the Resurrection go out this week and remind people of the amazing power and gift of the Resurrection.  Remind them of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice for each of us.  Share those important reminders with everyone that you care about.  Reminding people about things is always important and it is especially important when it's about Jesus.

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Grounded

Read It: Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Learn It:

The temptations of Jesus is a very famous passage and many people know all about Satan coming and tempting Jesus three times and Jesus denying every time. One of the best parts of this passage is a great example of how well Jesus knew scripture. When Jesus says that "One does not live by bread alone..." he is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. Then again when Jesus says, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test," comes from Deuteronomy 6:16. When Jesus is tempted a third time he quotes, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him," which is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:13. Jesus was able to fend off temptation which is great, but the amazing example that he gives us is that he is able to do it so well by quoting the Bible.

Share It:

Look again at the first thing that Jesus is tempted with...food. Not all temptations in our lives are BIG things. What are some of the things that tempt you in your life? What are some of the ways that you have been able to resist that temptation? Have you ever used scripture to resist temptation? Talk with your family about some of these things and other ways that you are tempted either by friends or things.

Live It:

Spend some time as a family or by yourself and search through the Bible for some scriptures that you think would be great verses to say to yourself when you are experiencing times of temptation. You could also use the scriptures that Jesus used in the verses above. Write down or think about what ways that Word of God was able help you resist temptation. God's Word is a very powerful tool.

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Mountains

Read It: Matthew 17:1-8 (NRSV)

1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 

Learn It:

Take a look also at these readings from today's lectionary readings: Exodus 24:12-18 and Psalm 99.  They are both about Moses going up to the mountain to talk with God.  There are many things that happen that are important when God's people go up to a mountain.  Moses received the 10 Commandments, Jesus is transfigured in front of the disciples, Jesus teaches and preaches from the tops of  mountains like when he tells us about the Beatitudes.  Jesus is also at the top of a mountain when he ascends into heaven after his resurrection.  The tops of mountains are special places for God's people.

Share It:

Because of these wonderful and profound experiences that God's people and God's own son have experienced on the tops of mountains people today call special spiritual moments "mountaintop experiences".  Have you ever been somewhere or done something that was a mountaintop experience?  Share with each other what the event was about what was so special about it.  In what ways was it life-transforming?  How did it touch you and why do you remember it so well?

Live It:

Plan to attend a Bible study or retreat either through the church or through an organization.  Many times you will find that mountaintop experiences happen when you are away from your usual elements and are taking some time to spend intentionally with God.  See how taking some intentional time with God can be a way to open yourself to experience more mountaintop experiences.

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Say It

Read It: Matthew 5:37 (NIV)

 37 Simply let your‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Learn It:

Luther says that we should not say anything more than what we mean.  The things that we say should  be based on what we feel God is telling us to do at that moment.  Some examples he gives us is when you get angry you should only get angry if it is justified and that if you feel a certain way about something that you should conduct the way you say it based on what example Jesus leaves us about such matters.  

Share It:

John Mayer has a song entitled Say.  Check out these lyrics and talk with your family about them.  Do you think it is better to say what you need to say than to not have said anything at all?  What might it be like if you were to say exactly what you were thinking without filtering it?  Do you think that it would be hard to stop and think about what you are going to say to say the right thing? Why or why not?  What makes it hard to say "no" to people when they ask you to do something?  Why do or don't you say "yes" to lots of things?   

Live It:

Jesus tells us to say exactly what we mean to say.  Don't say yes when you don't really want to do it or when you're heart isn't in it.  The next couple times someone asks you to do something whether it is a family member or a friend, stop and think for a moment about if you really want to do it.  Let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no".  See how freeing that might be and see if you are responding the way that God asks us to respond.  Share with your family what it was like. 

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