DISCOVER. DEVELOP. DEPLOY.

High SchoolAmplify United
Written By Amanda Hahn

Preached to: Middle & High School Students

Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn

Have you ever had something valuable—but didn’t realize it until later? Maybe a pair of shoes you never wore, a gift you never used, or an opportunity you passed up. The truth is, some of us are doing that right now—not with stuff, but with what God has placed inside of us.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about servants who were each given talents. Two of them used what they were given and grew it. One hid it out of fear. The issue wasn’t that he didn’t have something—the issue was that he did nothing with it.

God has given every student gifts and talents on purpose. The question is: what are you doing with yours?

We challenged students with three simple steps:

  • Discover – Recognize what God has already placed in you. You’re not talentless—you just might not be paying attention yet.

  • Develop – Growth takes effort. What you don’t grow, you’ll lose confidence in. Start practicing and take it seriously.

  • Deploy – Your gift finds purpose when it serves others. Don’t let fear keep you from using what God gave you.

The takeaway is simple: God didn’t give you talents to hide—He gave them to grow and use.

This week, don’t bury what God has placed inside of you. Step out, be bold, and start using your gifts to make a difference.

Keep up with all that’s going on at Amplify Youth, including dates, times, sign-ups, and forms, on our main page.

Amplify Main Page

  • 🌙 Night 1: DISCOVER – “What did God put in me?”

    1 Peter 4:10

    Talk About It:

    • What are 2–3 things you enjoy doing that don’t feel like work?

    • When have others encouraged you or said, “You’re really good at that”?

    • Why do you think some people struggle to believe they have gifts?

    Go Deeper:

    • Do you think saying “I’m not talented” is humility or something else? Why?

    • How can we better recognize God’s design in ourselves?

    Family Challenge:

    • Each person at the table shares one strength they see in someone else.

    🌙 Night 2: DEVELOP – “Am I growing what God gave me?”

    2 Timothy 1:6

    Talk About It:

    • What is one thing you’re good at but haven’t been working on lately?

    • What usually stops people from growing their gifts? (Time, fear, laziness, etc.)

    • Who is someone you could learn from or ask for help?

    Go Deeper:

    • Why do you think practice and discipline matter spiritually, not just practically?

    • How would your confidence change if you consistently worked on your gift?

    Family Challenge:

    • Each person picks ONE thing to grow this week and shares their plan.

    🌙 Night 3: DEPLOY – “Where can I use my gift?”

    2 Timothy 1:7

    Talk About It:

    • What fears keep people from stepping out and using their gifts?

    • Where are some places you could use your gifts right now? (church, school, home)

    • Who could be impacted if you actually used what God gave you?

    Go Deeper:

    • Why do you think God cares more about faithfulness than perfection?

    • How can using your gift actually help other people?

    Family Challenge:

    • Each person commits to one action this week:

      • Encourage someone

      • Serve somewhere

      • Invite someone

      • Step out in a new way

  • Intro:

    • We often overlook what’s valuable until later

    • Some students are doing this with their God-given talents

    • Matthew 25: Servants given talents

      • Two used and grew them

      • One hid his out of fear

      • The issue wasn’t lack—it was doing nothing

    1. DISCOVER – Recognize What God Put in You

    • You can’t use what you don’t recognize

    • Truth: Everyone has been given something (1 Peter 4:10)

    • Not humility to say “I have nothing”—it’s blindness

    • Next Steps:

      • What am I good at?

      • What do I love?

      • Where do others affirm me?

    2. DEVELOP – Grow What God Gave You

    • What you don’t grow, you lose confidence in

    • Growth requires effort, practice, discipline

    • “Fan into flame…” (2 Timothy 1:6)

    • Next Steps:

      • Pick ONE thing

      • Practice it this week

      • Let someone help you improve

    3. DEPLOY – Use It to Serve Others

    • Your gift finds purpose when it serves people

    • Fear keeps gifts buried (Matthew 25)

    • God gave you power, not fear (2 Timothy 1:7)

    • Next Steps:

      • Use your gift THIS WEEK

      • Invite, serve, encourage, step out

    Conclusion:

    • God isn’t comparing you—He’s calling you

    • The question: What are you doing with what He gave you?

    • Challenge:

      • Discover

      • Develop

      • Deploy

  • Matthew 25:14–30 (NLT)
    The foundation of the message—servants entrusted with talents and held accountable for what they did with them.

    1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
    “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

    2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT)
    “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…”

    2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.”

Amanda Hahn
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