The Ten Bridesmaids
Keep Your Lamp Ready
Matthew 25:1-13about 2 minutes to read aloud
"The kingdom of heaven is like ten bridesmaids," Jesus said. "They took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom."
"Five of them were wise. They brought oil in jars with their lamps. Five were foolish. They took lamps but brought no oil."
"The bridegroom was a long time coming. The bridesmaids grew sleepy, and all of them fell asleep."
"At midnight, a cry went up. 'Here is the bridegroom. Come out and meet him.' The bridesmaids woke and trimmed their lamps."
"The foolish ones said, 'Give us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones answered, 'There may not be enough for all. Go and buy some.'"
"While they were away, the bridegroom arrived. The ones who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast. Keep watch," Jesus said. "The Lord is coming."
Questions to talk about
Whom were the ten bridesmaids waiting for?
Show the answer
They took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
What made the wise bridesmaids different from the foolish?
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The wise brought oil in jars with their lamps.
What does Jesus tell us to do?
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'Keep watch,' Jesus said. 'You do not know the day or the hour.'
The lesson
The Lord is coming. To keep our lamps ready is to live today the way He has taught us.
