39.

Practical Living to Show Readiness for Christ’s Return

Matthew 25:1-30

  • Session: 39
  • Week: 6
  • Day: 4
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Introduction

In Matthew 25:1-30, Jesus addresses the stumbling blocks that hinder making His second coming known. In this session, He provides His disciples with practical ways to live in anticipation of His return. Jesus uses three parables to illustrate how three types of people will live in the last days: the Jews (parable of the 10 virgins), the Christians (parable of the three servants), and the Gentiles/nations (parable of the sheep and goats).

Objectives

By the end of this session, you will have:

  • Understood the principles of being ready and prepared for the return of Jesus by explaining the importance of watchfulness, prayerfulness, and faithfulness.
  • Appreciated the role of the Holy Spirit, who is our oil that keeps the lamp burning.

Outline

  • Our response to His sure coming: watchfulness, prayerfulness, and faithfulness.
  • Jewish practical working and living before Christ returns (Parable of the Virgins).
  • Christian practical working and living before Christ returns (Parable of the Three Servants).
  • Gentiles’ practical working and living before Christ returns (Parable of the Sheep and Goats).
  • Lessons from the three groups for our preparation.

Group Study Time

Matthew 25:1-30

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

What do the verses mean?
(In small groups, attempt the following questions.)

  • Read Matthew 25:1-13. Who are the key characters in the parable, and what is the difference between the wise and foolish virgins?
  • What two things signify being ready for Jesus’ return? (Matthew 24:40-42, Matthew 25:13; Matthew 25:5-7, Luke 21:36).
  • In your view, what is faithfulness as we wait for Christ’s return? What is the reward for being faithful?
  • Read Matthew 25:14-30. List the key persons mentioned in this parable. What was the main difference between the first two servants and the third servant?
  • What six lessons do you learn from the parable about being faithful and ready as we wait for Jesus’ return?

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.