CHURCH RESOURCES
Five Talents began in 1998 as a means for individuals and churches to respond to the realities of global poverty. Inspired by the Parable of the Talents, Five Talents uses an innovative Savings Group Model to help communities recognise, develop and use their own resources.
Working with socially and economically excluded populations in the world, Five Talents partners with churches and supports local organisations to empower, facilitate community savings and provide business skills training.
Below we created free, downloadable materials designed to help you recognise, develop and use your own talents for good. Learn more about our different materials below.
A Devotional Guide
Over the years, we've discovered a wealth of treasure in the Parable of the Talents. That’s why we've prepared these free lessons to Matthew 25 featuring reflections from pastors and Christian leaders. These lessons are designed to help you recognise, develop, and use your talents for good. These guides to life, work, and ministry will help you grow your faith and understanding of calling and work. We recommend using these lessons for private study or in small groups. Download each lesson below - or click here to get all 9!
Sunday School Curriculum
Empower children to use their talents and resources to glorify God. Based on the Parable of the Talents, this is an interactive five week curriculum that helps children understand global poverty, develop compassion for those in need, and discover how to grow and use their talents to serve God and help others. In the final lesson, children learn to create and manage their own small businesses based on their own interests and abilities. You can download and learn more about this free material below.
Devotional Guide
Journey through Matthew 25: How the Parable of the Talents provides a framework for life, work and ministry.
Lesson 1
The Master’s Purpose | Martyn Minns
Bishop Martyn Minns is the founding chairman of Five Talents, founding bishop of CANA, and former rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
Download here.
Lesson 2
Keeping the End in Mind | Laurie Thompson
The Very Rev. Dr. Laurie Thompson is the President of Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, USA.
Download here.
Lesson 3
Talent, Ability & Calling | Five Talents Team
This lesson was produced by members of Five Talents’ staff in the USA office.
Download here.
Lesson 4
Hiding or Helping? | Ross Kane
The Rev. Dr. Ross Kane is the Director of Doctoral Programmes at Virginia Theological Seminary, USA.
Download here.
Lesson 5
Biblical Stewardship | John Guernsey
The Rt. Rev John Guernsey is the Bishop of the Diocese of Mid-Atlantic for the Anglican Church in North America.
Download here.
Lesson 6
The Good & Faithful Servant | Cathie Young
The Rev. Cathie Young is the Interim Rector of St. James Anglican Church in Costa Mesa, California, USA.
Download here.
Lesson 7
Value & Investment in God’s Economy | Robin Denney
The Rev. Robin Denney is the Associate for Christian Formation at St. Cross Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach, California, USA.
Download here.
Lesson 8
Grace, Work & Happiness | Five Talents Team
This lesson was produced by members of Five Talents’ staff in the USA office.
Download here.
Lesson 9
Weighing Your Life’s Work | Jeff Macknight
The Rev. Jeffrey Macknight is the Rector of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Download here.
Sunday School Curriculum
Our goal with this curriculum is to educate children about poverty and empower each child to use their own talents and resources to glorify God. The curriculum includes four lessons, along with an optional (but highly encouraged) interactive lesson on the fifth week. The fifth lesson includes a “Market Day” in which your class will have an opportunity to use their God-given talents, have fun and raise money for communities where we work.
Each lesson includes an activity, a Bible story, a memory verse, a take-home lesson and a special Five Talents story. Each lesson should take approximately 45-60 minutes to complete. The target age group for this curriculum is around ages 9-13.
After finishing the Growing Faith & Talent Sunday school curriculum, we’d love to hear from you! Send us any comments, suggestions or student quotes to info@fivetalents.org.uk.
Download the full Growing Faith & Talent curriculum here - or click below to download each lesson as you like!
Download all of the handouts here - or click below to download each one as you need it!
Lesson 1
What Does God Say About the Poor?
Download here.
Supplies:
-An object that can represent money such as coins, sweets etc.
-Handout A, cut out and displayed
-Handout B, cut out into strips
-World map
-Pencil & paper
-Bibles
Lesson 2
How Should We Respond to People in Need?
Download here.
Supplies:
-Handout C
-Colored pencils, markers and/or crayons
-Bibles
-Map (bonus lesson)
Lesson 3
Discovering Your Talents
Download here.
Supplies:
-Handout D, cut out and displayed
-Tape
-Bibles
-Map (bonus lesson)
Lesson 4
How to Use and Manage Resources Wisely
Download here.
Supplies:
-Handout E, cut out multiple copies
-Whiteboard or four pieces of white paper
-Bibles
-Tape
Pencils
-Map (bonus lesson)
-Handout F
Lesson 5
Creating Your Own Business
Download here.
Supplies:
-Handout G, for each child
-Handout H, for each child
-Handout I, for each child
-Chalkboard or whiteboard
-Posters (or paper) and markers
-£5 loan for each student (donated by church or parents)
Handout A
For Lesson 1: What Does God Say About the Poor?
Download here.
Handout B
For Lesson 1: What Does God Say About the Poor?
Download here.
Handout C
For Lesson 2: How Should We Respond to People in Need?
Download here.
Handout D
For Lesson 3: Discovering Your Talents
Download here.
Handout E
For Lesson 4: How to Use and Manage Resources Wisely
Download here.
Handout F
For Lesson 4: How to Use and Manage Resources Wisely
Download here.
Handout G
For Lesson 5: Creating Your Own Business
Download here.
Handout H
For Lesson 5: Creating Your Own Business
Download here.
Handout I
For Lesson 5: Creating Your Own Business
Download here.
Member Photos:
Lesson 1 - Consolate from Burundi
Lesson 2 - Natalana from South Sudan
Lesson 3 - Maria from Bolivia
Lesson 4 - Setiowaty from Indonesia
The materials on this page were created by the members of the Five Talents USA office.