Conversation Starters: Live Productively
Posted by Karah
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Everyone wants income, but not everyone is willing to work—or work hard—for it. An entitlement mind-set leads some to believe that they should have all the needs and luxuries of life without necessarily working for them. The Book of Proverbs paints a different picture. Work is not a bad thing. Work is not always easy, but it is a noble—and Christ-honoring— thing to work and earn the money we need for daily living.
Concept: Live Productively
Preschool
Matthew 20:1-16
LIFE POINT: Jesus taught people about God through stories. He knew that everyone understood that people work to make money, so He told this story:
There was a man who owned much land and grew grapes on that land. He needed people to work the land. He agreed to pay workers to help him. At the beginning of one day, he agreed to pay a group of
workers a certain amount of money. Later that day, the man brought in more workers to help. He agreed to pay them the same amount of money as the workers who started at the beginning of the day. The workers who started first were not happy. However, the owner reminded them that he had kept his promise and paid each of them what he had said he would.
LIVE IT OUT: Ask your child if she knows the meaning of the word promise. Help her understand that
a promise is something someone says he will do. Guide your child to make a promise to you. Follow up
to make sure she keeps.
Kids
Matthew 20:1-16
LIFE POINT: Jesus told this story to His followers to help them understand what heaven is like:
A man had a vineyard. Early in the morning, he found men to work. “I will pay you one denarius if you work all day for me.” Later in the morning, at noon, at three o’clock, and at five o’clock the owner found more men to work for him. At the end of the day, the men got paid. Everyone received one denarius. The men who started early wanted more than the ones who started later in the day. “Didn’t you get what you agreed on?” the owner asked. “Are you jealous because I was generous to the other men?” Jesus said, “The last will be first and the first will be last.”
LIVE IT OUT: Remind your child that everything she has comes from God. Encourage her to thank
God for the generous gifts God has given her.
Students
Proverbs 6:6-11
THE POINT: Our work reflects our relationship with God. What’s the toughest job you’ve ever done What is the is the most difficult job for you to complete with excellence? How is laziness a spiritual
problem? Discuss the following quote:
“Laziness may look inviting, but only work gives you true satisfaction.”1 —Anne Frank
LIVE IT OUT: Take time to discuss your student’s scripture readings out of Matthew 20:1-16 and Proverbs 6:6-11 from this week.
1. Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl (New York: Doubleday, 1991) 325.
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