Christ continues to discourse to His apostles; these three parables are told right after His discussion of the signs of the times. Christ is teaching us how to prepare for the tribulations to come, but really how to prepare to enter into His presence now, so that we can be ready to greet Him when He comes again in glory.
Parable of the Ten Virgins
In marriages in ancient Israel, the
bridegroom would lead his wedding party at night through the streets of the
city, picking up guests as they went, until they arrived at the house where the
wedding feast would be provided. Each of
the guests were expected to hold a small oil lamp, so that the party looked
like a stream of light following the bridegroom.
READ Matthew 25:1
What is the “kingdom of heaven”?
Why is the kingdom of heaven likened unto
virgins?
What does the fact that they were part of
the wedding party imply about the virgins?
READ Matthew 25:2-4
Is there a difference between being
invited to be in the wedding party and being wise?
What did all ten virgins do?
What did the five wise virgins do that
the others did not?
What does the oil represent?
If your lamp is filled with oil, what
does the extra oil represent?
READ D&C 45:56-57, 59
What distinguishes “wise” from “foolish”
covenant makers?
How does one avoid being deceived?
READ Matthew 25:5-6
Why did the Bridegroom tarry?
Why did both the Wise and Foolish sleep
when the bridegroom tarried?
READ Matthew 25:7-9
Why didn’t the Wise share their oil with
the Unwise?
What does the oil in the lamps of the
Unwise “going out” mean?
READ Matthew 25:10-13
Why is the door shut?
If the Unwise were invited to the
wedding, why did the bridegroom tell them, “I know you not”?
Going back to the Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47-50), how is the same two-step process represented in this parable?
Parable of the Wedding Feast
READ Matthew 22:1-14
What is implied by the fact that some are
“bidden” to the wedding feast?
What is the significance of the “marriage
of His son” to the “kingdom of heaven”?
What does it mean that the invited guests
“made light of” the wedding?
Why did the invited guests treat the
servants so badly; why did they not just politely decline or use an excuse?
What will happen to those invited guests
who reject the invitation?
Who are those in the “highways”?
What did the servants do with those they
found on the highways?
Why do the servants invite both “bad and
good” to the wedding feast of the king’s own son?
What is the king’s main concern with
regards to the wedding?
How did the “friend” from the highway
come to the wedding without an appropriate wedding garment to wear?
What is the “wedding garment” and what
does it symbolize?
How does the king define “bad”?
What does it mean to be called and
chosen?
Parable of the Talents
READ Matthew 25:14-18
Why did the man give his money to his
servants?
What do the talents represent?
How did the two servants gain the
additional money?
Did the servants incur risk by trading
with their master’s money?
READ Matthew 25:19-23
Why was the man away for so long?
Why did the man really give his money to
his servants?
What is a sovereign?
What is the result of good stewardship
over a few things?
Why did the master feel he could now
trust the two servants with “many” things?
READ Matthew 25:24-30
Why did the last servant hide the money?
What did the last servant misunderstand
about the Lord’s expectations?
What does it mean that “to those that
hath, shall be given” while those that have not will be taken all that they
have, and how is this fair?
Whose money is the principle that is
invested?
Whose money is the interest that was made
through the hard work and investment of the servant?
What is this parable really about?
Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
READ Matthew 25:31-34
What is the difference between a sheep
and a goat?
Ye Have Done It Unto Me
READ Matthew 25:35-46
How does the Lord prove the desires of
our hearts – that we are a sheep not a goat?
Why is serving the hungry, poor, homeless
and prisoners really serving Christ?
How were these righteous people
“exercising” faith?
How are types of people that will inherit
the various kingdoms of glory illustrated in this parable?
