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STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes) Describe a time when you felt that you had been cheated
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(How would it feel to be the third servant?)
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)
COMMENTARY
The parable of the talents is a warning about the way the world is, rather than a story of the kingdom of God. Jesus is telling his followers of the way things are in the world. People knew about absentee landlords [v.14]; they knew too about those who used resources to exploit others. They knew also about the ability of the markets to control people's affairs, and the expectation of the rich that they would get richer [vv.26-27]. Above all they knew the reality that, to everyone who has will more be given, but anyone who has not, will be deprived of even what he has [v.29]. Jesus wants his communities to understand that the kind of world they live in is one where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It is a world in which those who fail get thrown on the scrap heap, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth [v.30].
The placing of the story is quite important for our understanding of it. Note that Jesus has been warning his followers, in the account of the unready bridesmaids, to be ready for him to come at any time, but in the meanwhile to work for justice [vv.1-13]. In this parable the servants are not working for justice but rather to achieve rewards. The parable that follows immediately after concerns Jesus being recognised in the homeless, the stranger, the hungry and the imprisoned [vv.31-46]. [Price Reflections on Matthew's Gospel]
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. What verse in this reading speaks to you?
What is God saying to you?
2. Do you agree that this parable describes the way of the world?
Construct a modern version of the parable.
Are you willing to share it with others [see question 4]?
3. In what ways are you being sucked into behaviour that exploits
others?
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets / pray for each other –25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
4. Allow people to share their modern parables from no 2 above.
5. What practical outcome is there from our reflection?
Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
GROUP MEMORY TIME
(Review the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)
REVIEW TIME
Did this interpretation of the parable change your way of thinking about it?
PRAYER TIME
You could have a time of silent confession for people to reflect on their lifestyle and then a time of prayer for those who are the victims of injustice.
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