The Parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13
Understand It
- To what did Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven in this parable? (25:1)
- How were the ten women described? (25:1-2)
- Why were some of the virgins described as "foolish"? (25:3)
- What made some of the virgins "wise"? (25:4)
- What happened to the bridegroom? (25:5)
- What happened at midnight? (25:6-7)
- What did the foolish virgins ask of the others? (25:8)
- How did the wise virgins respond when asked to help the ones who weren’t prepared? (25:9)
- When did the bridegroom arrive and the wedding banquet begin? (25:10)
- What did the foolish virgins discover and do when they returned? (25:11)
- How did the bridegroom respond when some virgins wanted to come to the wedding late? (25:12)
- With what warning did Jesus conclude this parable? Why? (25:13)
Apply It
- What spiritual preparation do you need to make today in order to "keep watch"?
- How can you change your attitude this week in order to reflect your belief in the imminent return of Christ?
- What Christian should you lovingly warn about the imminent return of Christ?
The Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30
Understand It
- To what did Jesus liken the kingdom of God in this parable? (25:14)
- What did the man in the parable give to his servants? (25:15)
- What did the servant who received five talents do with his money? (25:16)
- What kind of return on his investment did the servant with two talents get? (25:17)
- What did the third servant do with the one talent his master gave him? (25:18)
- How did the master react to the report of the first servant? (25:20-21)
- What was the response to the report of the second servant? (25:22-23)
- What excuse did the third servant give for not investing his talent? (25:24-25)
- How did the master respond to the third servant’s explanation? (25:26-27)
- What orders did the master give about the third servant’s one talent? (25:28-29)
- What judgment was handed down to the "wicked, lazy" servant? (25:30)
Apply It
- What resource do you need to commit to Christ’s use at this time in your life?
- How can you invest your talents in serving God this week?
- What reminder can you use to hold yourself accountable for the way you manage your God-given resources?
The Sheep and the Goats - Matthew 25:31-46
Understand It
- How did Jesus describe His Second Coming? (25:31)
- Where will all the nations be at Christ’s return? (25:32)
- According to Jesus, how will the people of the earth be divided? (25:32-33)
- How will Jesus divide humanity? (25:33)
- What will Jesus say to those on His right? (25:34-36)
- Why will the group on Jesus’ right be blessed? (25:35)
- How will the "sheep" respond to Jesus’ words on that day? (25:37-39)
- What criterion will Christ use to judge people? (25:40)
- What will Jesus say to the "goats" on His left? (25:41)
- Why will the goats be judged? (25:42)
- What will cause the goats to be judged? (25:42-43)
- What defense will those on Christ’s left use to justify themselves? (25:44)
- What will hell be like? (25:46)
Apply It
- What act of kindness or mercy toward the needy can you do today?
- In what practical, realistic way can you begin today to treat each person you meet as though he or she were Jesus Himself?
- Without being overbearing or pushy, how can you serve your non-Christian friends this week?
