MESSAGE: Parable of the Talents   Date: 7/20/2025

SERIES: Jesus’ Parables

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Jared Mckinney

CHECK-IN & SHARE WINS: What was one highlight from your week? Where have you seen Jesus at work—in your life or in the world around you? Sharing wins help move the mission of God forward. 

THINK, DISCUSS, LIVE: These questions are great for personal devotions or group discussions. They’re designed to help you grow spiritually, connect more deeply with your Jesus friends, and live out your faith in the world around you.

1. If you asked your close friends or family, what do you think they’d say is your greatest gift or talent? (Remember, since our gifts come from God, recognizing them isn’t bragging—it’s stewardship!) 
2. Read Matthew 25:14-15. Why do you think the master gave each servant a different amount of money?  Is one more important than the other? Why or why not? What does that teach us about how God gives us gifts or responsibilities?
3. In Matthew 25:21 and 23, the master gives the same praise to both the 5-bag and 2-bag servants. Why do you think that is? Was it just because they doubled the money—or was Jesus teaching us something more? 
4. The servant with 1 bag made excuses instead of doing something with what he had. Can you think of a time when you made excuses instead of taking action? Is there something God might be asking you to do right now that you’ve been avoiding? What’s stopping you?
5. Read 2 Peter 1:3 and Ephesians 1:3. How much has God already given you? (Think in terms of “bags.”) Is there something you’ve been hesitant to do that this truth changes? How could this truth of what you have in Christ shape your next steps?
6. Why is it dangerous to compare what you have spiritually, physically, or even financially with what someone else has? How does comparison hold us back from being grateful, faithful and obedient with what we do have?
7. Read Colossians 3:23. Paul challenges us to approach life with a higher mindset—one that works wholeheartedly, not for human approval, but for the Lord. How can you put this into practice in your daily life? What’s one specific step you can take this week that shows your motivation is to honor God, not just to impress people?
8. Read Luke 16:10. What do you think Jesus is trying to teach us in this verse about the “little things” in life? How can you apply that to your everyday choices—and what’s one specific way you plan to live it out this week?
9. We’ve all said it: “Someday when…” But the truth is, how you live right now is shaping who you’re becoming. Luke 16:10 reminds us that being faithful in the small stuff matters. So what would it look like to bloom where you’re planted today? How can you build habits—right where you are—that honor God and move His mission forward?
10. Read Ephesians 5:15–17. Paul wrote some of his most powerful letters while sitting in a prison cell. What does that teach you about making the most of every season—even the difficult ones? What season are you in right now, and how does this encourage you to make the most of it?
    
    

TAKING NEW GROUND! This week, take new ground by reflecting on the gifts, talents, and life experiences God has given you. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to make the most of them in this season. What’s one small step you can take this week to put that into action? And who can you invite to walk alongside you for encouragement and support?

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL MODEL: Update where you are in the Canvas Circle, Jesus Friends Circle, and Lost Friends Circle. How are you growing more like Jesus, showing His love to others, and moving closer to the center?

2025 LIFE CHANGE CHALLENGE: We’ve put together a Bible reading plan to help you read through the entire New Testament in one year. Just one chapter a day, five days a week—plus a short bonus passage to reflect on. You can find it on the Canvas Church app—just tap “Bible Reading Plan.” Prefer to listen? That’s an option too! Join us on this life-changing journey with Jesus.

INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PRAYER OPTIONS: “When you pray, things happen. And the reverse is also true. When you don’t pray, things don’t happen.” John Mark Comer, My Name is Hope: Anxiety, depression, and life after melancholy

1. Conversational Prayer: Rather than taking turns giving long, formal prayers, try encouraging short, honest, and spontaneous prayers—like you’re having a shared conversation with God. Let each person build on what others have prayed, just like you would in a real conversation.
2. Praise Sentences: Take a moment to offer short sentence prayers of thanks to God for who He is and what He has done this week. Allow multiple people to pray, even more than once. Then, lift up the needs shared within your group. Finish by thanking Him for hearing your prayers.  
3. Prayer Clusters: Meet in groups of two or three (same gender) to share praises and prayer requests. Pray together and for one another during the week. Let those in your group know you prayed—send a quick text of encouragement.

SOUL SNACK: “Our job is to make the invisible God visible — to mirror and mimic what he is like to the world. We can glorify God by doing our work in such a way that we make the invisible God visible by what we do and how we do it.” John Mark Comer, Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human.