MATTHEW 25:1-13

Click Here to read Matthew 25:1-13.

• What one word or idea stood out to you and why?
• What do you think Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God/Heaven?
• Why does a flashlight need batteries? Why do we charge our phones? 
• If we hide some treasure or candy outside in the dark and you don’t have batteries in your flashlight or your phone is not charged, will you find it?
• Do you know what oil lamps are? Oil lamps were like flashlights today. The oil was like the battery for a flashlight. Without the oil you couldn’t light your lamp.
• Do you know what a bridesmaid is? How about a groom? In this parable, a bridesmaid is a woman waiting and ready to get married. A groom is the man who will choose a bridesmaid and marry her. 

Have you ever been late for something? Late for piano practice? Baseball practice? Church? Don’t you hate that really rushed feeling you get? Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! One of the things that often make us late is that we don’t prepare before we leave. If you need to leave the house right now but you haven’t gotten dressed yet, then you will be 10 minutes late to wherever you are going. 

Now imagine you are not late for piano practice or church but you are late to catch an airplane to Hawaii. If you are late to piano practice or church then it doesn’t matter a whole lot. You can start your piano practice a little late or join the church service after it has started. With an airplane flight, however, if you miss the flight you can’t get on it late. It is gone and you don’t get to go to Hawaii. 

The bridesmaids/goats in today’s lesson forgot to get batteries or oil for their lamps. So, like missing the airplane, when the groom came they missed the chance to marry him. They were not ready. Jesus is the groom in today’s lesson. Some people think “Oh, I will believe in Jesus later.” or “I am too busy to believe in Jesus now.” No! Don’t wait to believe in Jesus. Believe in Him now, before it is too late.  He may come back soon and you will miss the chance to be with Him in heaven.