** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <February 1, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
The Gifts We Can't Always See
• READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:5-6; EPHESIANS 2:10; 1 PETER 4:10-11
Maybe you’ve heard, “You’re so talented in sports, or music, or school, or fill-in- the-blank.” We all have our own unique gifts: some may be very obvious, and others may be harder to spot. For example, I am writing this devotion. I never thought that I was any good at writing or that anyone would even want to read what I wrote. Yet I had teachers, friends, and family all saying that I was good at writing and that they could all see I had potential.
So why did it take me almost five months to finally submit some writing? Well, all my life, I was known as the sports girl. School never came easily to me; it was something I had to work at if I wanted to do well. So when my dad told me I should write for "Unlocked," I kind of just thought it was funny. I thought to myself, "First, I’m not good enough to write for a publication. Second, no one would even want to read anything I write." I allowed fear and the lies of the Enemy to stop me from sharing the gift God has given me.
For some reason, as we grow older, we often become scared to try new things or to put ourselves out there. We fear rejection and the thought of not being good enough. But, as children of God in Christ, we are accepted and loved by Him. Therefore, we can follow and trust God wherever He calls us to use the gifts He’s given us—whether it’s trying out for the school play or reaching out to that new kid at school.
We all have gifts we may or may not see, but God has created us each uniquely. Some may be good at sports. Others may be good at math or science. Some may be great at organization. Others may be great at knowing exactly what other people need. The question is, are we going to use our gifts to build up our own kingdom or to build up the kingdom of Christ? • Anastasia Yoder
• What are some gifts you have? How could you use them to show Christ to those around you? If you don’t think you have any special gifts or talents, ask God to reveal them to you and ask someone who knows you well what they see.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <February 11, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
Not Like My Father
• READ: PROVERBS 3:5-6; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31
Johnson Oatman Jr. admired his father. Johnson Oatman Sr. was a gifted singer at church and an intelligent businessperson.
In many ways, Johnson Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, even working at the family business. But he didn’t have all the same gifts as his father. While he loved music, Johnson Jr. wasn’t quite as good of a singer as his father. But, after several years, Johnson Jr. discovered he could write songs. He wrote songs like “No, Not One,” “Higher Ground,” and “Count Your Blessings.” In fact, Johnson Jr. wrote thousands of songs—many of which are still sung in churches today.
Though he didn’t have all the same gifts as his father, Johnson Jr. discovered his talent. God showed him what He wanted him to do, and he did an excellent job, glorifying God in the process.
When we are young, we sometimes want to be like our
parents. We want to do things they can do. And then we find we cannot do all the things they do. When this happens, we may become discouraged and feel like failures.
God, however, knows what we are good at doing. He created us! Talk to the Lord about what your talents and spiritual gifts might be. Then, talk with wise Christians in your life about what talents and spiritual gifts they see in you. In following after God’s voice and listening to His leading, we get the opportunity to serve Jesus and His church in whatever way He wants us to. In Christ, God has an amazing plan for each one of us! • Anna Gregory
• Do you enjoy doing things no one in your family does? Do you think these things might be your talents?
• Aside from the talents we’re all created with, the Holy Spirit gives Christians special abilities called spiritual gifts—like teaching, encouraging, or serving. What do you think are some of your spiritual gifts?
• If you’re not sure what your talents or spiritual gifts are, talk to a trusted Christian friend in your life, such as a pastor, parent, or counselor.
For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (CSB)
