Scripture Time

The Parable of the Talents

By Jean Bingham

Learn about the New Testament together this year!

Jesus told a story, or parable, about a man who lent some coins to three people who worked for him. Then the man went away. While he was gone, two of the people worked hard and used their coins to earn more coins to give back to the man. But one person just buried his coin because he was afraid of losing it. When the man came back, he gave rewards to those who increased the coins he lent them. But he took the coin away from the person who hadn’t tried to increase it. (See Matthew 25:14–29.)

Learn More

A talent is a special ability, like a talent for drawing. But in Jesus’s time, the word talent meant an amount of money that was of great worth. How are these two types of talents alike?

Like the man in the parable, Heavenly Father has given each of us some something very valuable—not coins, but special abilities or talents, like singing, showing love, running, or helping others. Like the people in the parable, you have to work hard to make your talents grow!

How can you follow Jesus’s teachings by using and improving your talents? You will feel happier and help others when you do.

Family Talent Show

Plan a show to share your talents!

You can print more invitations at friend.lds.org.

1. Have each family member share something they are good at, like reading aloud, baking a treat, performing a musical number, telling a joke, doing a somersault, or sharing a happy smile.

2. As each person finishes sharing a talent, have the other members of the family tell something good they have noticed about that person.

3. For refreshments, combine each person’s favorite fruit to make a yummy fruit salad!

Family Talk

Help each family member name at least one talent he or she has. How can you help each other make your talents grow? Talk about how using your talents helps others and shows Heavenly Father your gratitude. Challenge family members to look for each other’s talents and share a sincere compliment each day.

Song: “‘Give,’ Said the Little Stream” (Children’s Songbook, 236)

Scripture: D&C 46:11

Video: Go to Biblevideos.org to watch “The Parable of the Talents”

Scripture Tip

Acting out a scripture story is a fun way to learn more about it.

1. Assign someone to play each part in the story. You can use simple costumes and props like bathrobes and paper coins.

2. Have someone read the story, pausing after each verse so the players can act out what was just read.

3. Act out the story again so everyone has a turn.