The Parable of the Ten Virgins

2010, December - wk 2(Grade 5)

DISCUSSION

  • Why did the Lord teach using parables?
  • Read the parable (Matthew 25)
  • Review the parable:
  • Ten virgins were invited to a wedding feast.
  • They took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
  • But five were allowed into the feast, and five were rejected.
  • Five were wise, and the other five were foolish.
  • The foolish brought their lamps, but took no oil with them.
  • The wise took flasks of oil, with their lamps.
  • As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered (slept).
  • At midnight, there was a cry, “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him.”
  • Why are 5 called wise, and the others foolish?
  • What did all 10 do when the bridegroom was delayed?
  • What was the cry heard at midnight?
  • Continue reviewing the parable:
  • All those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps
  • The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out”.
  • But the wise replied, “Perhaps there will not be enough for us and you; go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves”.
  • And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with Him to the marriage feast;
  • And the door was shut.
  • Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us”.
  • But He replied, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you”.
  • Then Jesus said to the people, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
  • Who are the wise virgins? Answer: those who are READY for Christ’s coming (second coming).
  • Who are the foolish virgins? Answer: those who are NOT READY for Christ’s coming.
  • What is the oil? Answer: good works, done out of love, done in faith, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
  • Who is the bridegroom? Answer: Our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • What does it mean, “perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you … go and buy for yourself”
    Answer: everyone will be judged according to their own works
    It is not enough for me to be friends of a good guy – I need to be good yourself.
    It is not enough for me to be Coptic, in a church full of saints – I need to continue to work to be a saint.
  • What does it mean, “the door was shut”?
    Answer: on the day of Judgement (at the Lord’s SECOND Coming), it is too late to start to repent.
    So, REPENT NOW, not later, not tonight, not tomorrow, start NOW (nobody knows when the day is coming).
  • Conclusion
  • Nobody knows when we will meet the Lord again.
  • So, we have to be always prepared (to be ready) to meet Lord Jesus.
  • We have to be awake (careful) about our spiritual life, and use every minute in our life to come closer to Lord Jesus.
  • That way, when He comes, He would know us, and we would know Him well.
  • In my life …
  • Imitate the WISE VIRGINS
  • Even if I feel I do not want to PRAY, fight that though, do the SIGN of the CROSS, and say a PRAYER to be ready.
  • Even if I feel I do not want to READ the BIBLE, do the SIGN of the CROSS, and READ at least a few verses every night.
  • Get closer to the Lord: REPENTANCECONFESSION, COMMUNION at CHURCH (use my SNB to help remember).
  • Do NOT let the devil trick you to be like the FOOLISH VIRGINS.

MEMORY VERSE

“Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him.” Matthew 25:6