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Read Matthew 25:1-13

Today we hear Jesus’ parable of the Ten Bridesmaids.  First, we remember that parables are teaching stories.  Jesus used parables to teach us something by telling a story.  Bridesmaids are people who are part of a wedding.  In Jesus’ day, bridesmaids would have their lamps ready as they waited with for the bridegroom to come and lead them to the wedding, which was usually at night.  When the bridegroom came to get them, five of the bridesmaids lit their lamps and were ready to go.  Five weren’t ready.  Let’s watch the video and find out why.

Watch this video together:

Read:

Five of the bridesmaids were ready for the bridegroom.  They had brought extra oil for their lamps.  Five of the bridegrooms did not bring extra oil for their lamps and so they weren’t ready.  So what can we learn from this story?  Jesus is teaching us to be ready.  But ready for what?  Jesus is teaching us to be ready for Jesus coming again.  Jesus died on the cross and then rose to new life so and because of that we are forgiven of our sins and made part of God’s family forever.  Jesus promised that he would come again at the end of time.  No one knows when that will be so we should be ready at all times.  But we also have to be ready because we never know when we will be able to share God’s love with someone else or when we will be able to serve others in Jesus’ name.  Jesus tells us that when we serve someone in Jesus’ name, we are serving him.  Like the bridesmaids in Jesus’ story who were ready when the bridegroom came, we want to always be ready to share God’s love and serve others in Jesus’ name.

Discuss

  • How do you think the bridesmaids who weren’t ready and couldn’t go felt?
  • Why didn’t the five bridesmaids with oil share their oil?
  • How do you feel when you ask a friend to so something and they don’t do it?

Song

This Little Light of Mine.  Sung by Go Fish Guys.

Activity

This is a game called “Be Ready.”  Take a piece of paper (8 ½ by 11).  Fold it in half the long way (you want it to be 11 inches long).  One person holds it at chest height at the top.  The other person catches the paper between their thumb and forefinger at the bottom of the paper.  The person who is dropping the paper can release it at any time without warning.  The person catching it has to be ready to catch it.  Take turns dropping and catching.

Activity

You have an opportunity to write a letter or make a card (or more than one) for those serving in our military who are deployed.  Address the letter “Dear Deployed Troop.”  Here are some suggestions:

  • Express your thanks for their service.
  • Keep messages positive.
  • Share a hopeful message or well wishes.
  • Prayers are welcome.
  • Share information about yourself, family, hobbies, school, pets, interests, etc. (Do not include contact information or any information that would identify you such as your last name, school name, hometown, address, phone number, etc.)
  • Feel free to send a drawing or picture.  Add your age to any drawing or picture.

Once you have your letter(s) or card(s) complete, mail them to:

Operation Gratitude
Attn:  Letter Writing Program
9409 Owensmouth Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311

Veterans Day is this week on November 11.  This project recognizes future veterans and is a way to share God’s love and serve others in Jesus’ name.

Prayer

God, we thank you for all the gifts you give us.  Help us to be ready at all times, ready for Jesus to come again at the end of time and ready to share your love with others and ready to serve others in Jesus’ name whenever we can.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  There will be a new one for each Sunday while we are unable to gather together physically in our congregational buildings.  Contact him at dfugate@iksynod.org.

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Growing Faith