Resurrected Christ with arms outstretched stands above a throng of people
The Savior taught the parable of the talents and the parable of the sheep and the goats to help His disciples know how to be ready for His Second Coming. This lesson can help you identify truths from these parables and help you prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming.
Student preparation: Invite students to read either the parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14–30) or the parable of the sheep and the goats (see Matthew 25:31–46) and prepare to share lessons they learned from their study.
Possible Learning Activities
To help students recall their past experiences studying parables, show the images of a seed, a coin, and a pearl, or, if possible, bring a few of these objects to class. Invite students to recall a parable they have already learned from the New Testament and briefly explain its meaning. It may be helpful to pause to allow students sufficient time to recall examples. If needed, provide some reminders of parables (a parable involving seeds can be found in Matthew 13:3–8, 18–23; a coin in Luke 15:8–10; and a pearl in Matthew 13:45–46).
Recall a few of the Savior’s parables. The following images may help you remember some you have already studied this year.
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mustard seeds
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stack of silver coins
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pearl sitting in a shell
What teachings can you remember from these parables?
How have the teachings you have learned this year from parables helped you?
If students cannot think of specific ways the teachings have helped them, consider sharing a personal example.
How confident do you feel in your ability to learn about the Savior through His parables?
Listen to students’ answers to the previous questions, and adjust the following material according to their needs.
Review how to understand parables
It might be helpful to review suggestions for how to understand parables. Earlier this year, you learned four steps for understanding parables. If you did not study them or need help remembering what they are, consider referring to the lesson “Matthew 13.”
Write the following headings in your study journal. Leave space between each heading to record findings and insights.
Find important details.
Make spiritual comparisons.
Discover valuable lessons.
Determine personal application.
As you continue this lesson, you will apply these four principles to the parables found in Matthew 25:14–46.
Find important details
As the Savior taught about the Second Coming and Judgment, He shared parables to highlight what we can do to be prepared for His return. Select and study one of the following parables the Savior gave, looking for important details.
Be sure to display or provide the following handouts for students to use as they study. The handouts suggest that students draw a picture of the parables. Students could do this on the back of the handout. Depending on what is best for the class, consider dividing the class into two groups instead and inviting each group to prepare to act out the parable they studied. If this is done, consider assigning roles for students (for example, director, reader, and actor) to help them be involved in their group.
Read Matthew 25:14–30, or watch “The Parable of the Talents” (3:03), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The following information may be helpful as you study this parable:
A “talent” refers to a very large sum of money in ancient times. In this parable, it can symbolize “something of great value,” such as the gospel or blessings, gifts, abilities, and opportunities the Lord gives us (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Talent,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
The term “usury” can refer to simply charging interest on a loan or can imply an unduly high interest rate (see Bible Dictionary, “Usury”).
The lord symbolizes Jesus Christ.
The servants represent each of us.
Draw a picture that illustrates this parable.
The parable of the sheep and the goats
Read Matthew 25:31–46, or watch “Ye Have Done It unto Me” (3:14), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The following information may be helpful to know as you study this parable:
The “right hand”: In ancient times, being seated at the right hand of the king, or next to the king on his right side, was the most honorable position at a feast.
Draw a picture that illustrates this parable.
Make spiritual comparisons, and discover valuable lessons
Use the following questions to help you identify lessons the Savior taught through His parables. Be as specific as possible.
Be sure to allow adequate time between each of the following questions for students to develop thoughtful responses.
What truths or lessons did you learn as you studied this parable?
These are some truths students may identify: If we faithfully use the gifts and abilities the Lord has given us, He will be pleased with our efforts and will bless us with joy and eternal life. We can show our love for the Lord in the way we treat others.
How would knowing and living these truths help us prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming? Why do you think the Savior taught these truths?
In what ways is the Lord both merciful and just?
How can you feel the Savior’s love in the truths He taught through this parable?
How does knowing these truths impact your desire to prepare to meet the Savior at His Second Coming?
Determine personal application
Help students to apply what they learned from this lesson in personally meaningful ways. The following activities are suggestions. Use or adapt these activities according to the needs and abilities of students.
If you studied the parable of the talents, make a list of abilities and blessings the Lord has given you. If possible, identify some of those blessings by reaching out to people you know or by reading your patriarchal blessing, if you have one. Think of how the Lord might want you to use these abilities and blessings.
If you studied the parable of the sheep and the goats, think about what it could mean in your circumstance to offer food, drink, clothing, and companionship to someone. Think about the people you usually see, and identify someone who you feel the Lord wants you to help. Write down how you could help that person come closer to Him.
Share a truth you learned in this lesson from the Savior’s parables, and explain how you could implement that principle in your daily actions.
Consider inviting students to share their thoughts from the activity they completed.
Invite students to testify of the principles they identified. Encourage them to use their gifts and abilities to serve others and to prepare to meet the Savior.
Commentary and Background Information
What if someone receives more or less than I receive?
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated:
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Elder Quentin L. Cook
The growth in our own talents is the best measure of personal progress. … Comparing blessings is almost certain to drive out joy. We cannot be grateful and envious at the same time. If we truly want to have the Spirit of the Lord and experience joy and happiness, we should rejoice in our blessings and be grateful.
(Quentin L. Cook, “Rejoice!,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 29–30)
What actions will the Savior judge us by?
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated:
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Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
At the final day the Savior will not ask about the nature of our callings. He will not inquire about our material possessions or fame. He will ask if we ministered to the sick, gave food and drink to the hungry, visited those in prison, or gave succor to the weak [see Matthew 25:31–40]. When we reach out to assist the least of Heavenly Father’s children, we do it unto Him [see Matthew 25:40]. That is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What does the Lord expect us to do with what He gives us?
Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Quorum of the Seventy shared insights regarding the parable of the talents:
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Elder Stanley G. Ellis
The servant who received five and returned ten, as well as the one who took two and returned four, were declared good and faithful servants. But what caught my attention was the servant who received one, took care of it, and returned it safely back to his lord. I was surprised by the response of the master: “Thou wicked and slothful servant, … take therefore the talent from him, … and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness”! (See Matthew 25:14–30.)
This seemed to be a harsh reaction to one who seemed to be trying to take care of what he was given. But the Spirit taught me this truth—the Lord expects a difference!
(Stanley G. Ellis, “He Trusts Us!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 52)
Elder Ellis suggested we can make this “difference” in our lives by abiding in the Lord (see John 15:5), doing our spiritual duties, and following the Spirit and our Church leaders.
Supplemental Learning Activities
An alternate lesson idea: the widow’s mites
If students would benefit from learning how the Lord feels about what we offer Him, consider inviting students to learn from the story of the widow’s mites.
Bring two pieces of money, one with very little value and one with substantially more value. Ask students to think of what they could buy with each. If two people gave them these pieces of money, which gift would students value more? Why?
Students could then read Mark 12:41–44 or Luke 21:1–4 or watch the video “Jesus Teaches about the Widow’s Mites” (0:58), located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, looking for how the Lord determines the value of our offerings. Students could list examples of offerings they make to the Lord (for example, giving a small but full tithe, doing quiet acts of service, or teaching a lesson or giving a talk even if they are nervous) and discuss why the Lord appreciates our offerings.
Serving others
To illustrate the concept of using the “talents” we have been given to help others (see Matthew 25:35–40), consider showing the video “The Coat” (2:07), which depicts an event from the childhood of President Heber J. Grant. The video is available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Invite students to watch the video, looking for whom the boy was serving.