Ways to Develop your Child's Talents | The Parable of the Talents

Are talents a gift from God or developed? Some may say talents are God-given, and others may say they are developed with time. Both are true.

Talents are God-given. Psalm 139:13-14 says that God pieced us together and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God gave us each talents that we can use to glorify His name. Your child has been given talents from the Creator, and this is truly a blessing.

Talents are developed. Talents are lost if they are not nurtured regularly. For instance, a child will lose the ability to play an instrument if they do not practice. As parents, we should be the ones to encourage our children to endure through practicing.

So, how do you develop your child's God-given talents? T.A.L.E.N.T.S. is an acronym to use to help you learn how to develop your child's talents.

T is for think - Think about things you're good at.

A is for ask - Ask others what they think your talents are.

L is for look - Look for ways you can use your talents.

E is for enjoy - Enjoy your talents. Have fun learning and doing them.

N is for nurture - Nurture your talent. Practice and the skill will continue to grow.

T is for thank God - Thank God for the talent He gave you. Remember it is a gift from God.

S is for share - Share your talent with others. Do nice things, entertain, or teach someone.

Here is a free T.A.L.E.N.T.S. printout to help you remember the ways to develop your child's talents.

Discovering Your Child's Talent

Maybe your child does not know what their talents are. The T.A.L.E.N.T.S. acronym walks you through the process to help you discover your child's talent.

First, have your child think about the things he or she is good at. It may help to write them down. Then, your child can ask family, friends, or teachers what they think he or she is good at. Remind them to pray and ask God, the giver of their talents. After, your child has a list of things they're good at, have your child look for ways they can use their talent.

Next, you want your child to enjoy their talents. They should have fun learning these skills. You want to nurture your child's talent. You can do this by encouraging your child. Make sure they are practicing regularly. Most importantly, make sure your child gives thanks to God for his or her talent. Teach your child that their talent is a gift from God and they should be used to praise God and not themselves.

We have created a free T.A.L.E.N.T.S resource to help you with the process. Download it here.

Lessons from the Bible

The Bible has many great passages you can use to teach your child valuable lessons. The Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30, is one of these passages. In this parable, the master represents God and the servants represent us. God gives us talents and He wants us to be like the servants who multiplied their talents. If we use our talents the way God wants we make God happy. The parable also teaches us that if we hide, or don't use our talents, we will lose them.

By sharing this parable with children, we communicate the importance of recognizing that our abilities have purpose and value in many ways.

Use this free Bible lesson below to teach your children this important message

The Parable of the Talents Kid's Bible Lesson

Lesson of the Story:

This parable reminds us that God gives each of us talents, and wants us to use them. Our gifts are to be tools, and we are entrusted with building others up through our blessings. Lesson focus: This lesson considers how we can be stewards, not just of money, but of our time, resources, and abilities.

Passage: Matthew 25:14-30

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 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.’ 21 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.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 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.’ 24 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, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 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? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 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. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

Discussion Questions:

Why did the master give different amounts of talents to each servant? How do your talents differ from your friends’ talents? your family members’ talents?
Why does Heavenly Father give different gifts to each of us?
How can we show our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the talents He gave us?
What did the servants who were given five and two talents do with them?
How do you think they were able to double their talents?
What did the servant who was given one talent do with it? Why do you think he did this?
Why do you think some people don’t develop their talents?
What happens to people’s talents if they do nothing with them?

Activity: Talent Show

Give the kids a chance to show off their talents by hosting a simple, non-competitive talent show. Set a timer for two minutes, and let kids stand in front of the group and share something they do well for up to two minutes. They can do partner talents too, if they are more comfortable. Give everyone a chance to shine and encourage everyone to participate, but do not force any child to participate. Some ideas of talents to encourage them to show off: gymnastics/tumbling, singing, telling jokes, drawing, reading a story, or reciting Scripture. End by telling the kids how proud you are of each and every one of them, even if they didn’t perform, and that God has blessed them all with some really amazing talents.

Check out the more FREE kids Bible story activities.