2015 JULY WEEK TWO LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 12, 2015.

WEEK 28

CAUSES OF NON PERFORMANCE

Main Text: Matthew 25:24-25

Memory Verse: 1 Cor 15:58 “Therefore my dear Brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not vain”.

Introduction

In the reading, one servant was negligent and lazy. He refused to use his talents. The talents represent the totality of God’s investment in us, by way of gifts, abilities and responsibilities. God intends for his servants to use these endowments to work for His kingdom. His purpose for His servants is that they apply themselves and their talents to harvest souls for the kingdom. The Lord said “the fields are white but the workers are few”. The unfaithful servant cited some reasons why he was unfaithful. He stated that the Master was too harsh and demanding, that he was unfair and inconsiderate. His twisted assessment of his master caused him to apply his energies wrongly, burying his talent. He also cited fear as a reason for his non-performance. Either this servant was not well acquainted with his master or he was being deliberately malicious.

Discussion Questions

1. What do the talents represent?

2. Why does the master give us talents?

3. What was the bad servant’s assessment of the master?

4. Was the assessment by the servant of the master true? Vrs 21, 23

5. Why was the bad servant fearful?

6. How do you use your God-given talents?

Conclusion

Many people give excuses for their non-performance. Just like the unfruitful servant in the reading, excuses do not solve problems. God gives talents so we can work with them to transform lives. When a Christian under performs in the use of his or her talents, lives that need to be transformed stay unchanged.

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