God's Gifts
Prepare for Launch
get ready with these Helpful Resources
Luke 12:35-48; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11
“Teenage Talents on Tape”
Time for another installment of "Embarrassing Home Videos of Dad!" Our daughter loves to queue up hours of footage of our community and school talent shows from my youth. Whether I was attempting to sing a song, play an instrument, or just get a laugh, there was no shortage of my cringe-worthy teenage talents on tape. But isn’t it funny how some people make their performances look effortless? So as we continue to examine God's amazing gifts, let's take some time to appreciate the unique abilities he gives to each of us.
God manifests his wisdom and glory in the diversity he has filled his good world with.
THE BIG IDEA
We see it in every aspect of his creation, from the millions of strange and wonderful animal species to the breathtaking spectacles of the cosmos. But maybe no part of God's creation displays his creative range more than the abilities he has given humanity. His image bearers reflect his creativity, order, rationality, and love. From the Mona Lisa to the Empire State Building, from mapping the human genome to walking on the moon, our achievements come from our unique abilities.
And what a gracious God who gives us each something unique (Rom. 12:6-8)! Some people can brighten a day with a sentence, while others can explain the most complicated subject and make it understandable. Some people are passionate about feeding people, some love fixing cars, while others want to explore the world and climb every mountain. Our diverse abilities and interests allow humanity to rule over God's world as he created us to do. With our rich tapestry of gifts all woven together, we serve each other and reflect the way God has blessed each of us to his glory (1 Peter 4:10-11).
How often do you stop and appreciate the good that God fills the world with through the incredible range of gifts he gives us?
THE BIG QUESTION
Talents
Appreciate Your Unique Abilities
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Teenage Talents on Tape” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
Teenage Talents on TapeACT I
FINDING JESUS — Rom. 12:3-8 & 1 Cor. 12:12-26
Where do you see Jesus in these passages?What do these passages teach you of the character, work, and reign of Christ?What does our Lord Jesus want us to learn from these texts about his body?
ACT II
HELLO, MY NAME IS — Bezalel & Oholiab
As we dive into this character study of Bezalel & Oholiab, open your Bible to Exod. 31:1-11 and then Exodus 35:30-39:43. Setting The Stage
Bezalel and Oholiab’s story takes place as the children of Israel traveled towards the promised land, when God gives Moses plans for an extravagant royal tent where God’s presence would rest and the people could worship him. Bezalel and Oholiab were the craftsmen selected by God to make the tabernacle and the holy things associated with it. Telling The Story
SCENE 1: Called by Name (Exod. 31:1-11): What do you learn here about Oholiab and Bezalel, and their work? Anything else jump out at you in this section?SCENE 2: Tabernacle & Furnishings (Exod. 35:30-38:30): What does God do here? What do Oholiab and Bezalel make, and what do you notice about these items and their construction?SCENE 3: Priestly Garments & Tabernacle Completion (Exod. 39:1-43): What happens here? What phrase do you see repeated? How would you describe the tabernacle and vestments?EPILOGUE: Glory of the Lord (Exod. 40:1-38): Who erected the tabernacle and put everything in place? What do you notice about vv. 1-16 and vv. 17-33? How does the book end (40:34-38)?Applying the Scripture
What do you take from the example and story of Oholiab and Bezalel? ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What skill do you wish you had, but never invested time or energy into developing?
WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Mention someone’s unique talent to them, and thank them.
REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
For example: "Help us use the abilities you’ve given us faithfully” (Matt. 25:21)
NEXT SESSION — Singing
Prepare by reading Acts 16:25; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13