CLICK HERE to read the parable of the ten Bridesmaids (Virgins).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
During Bible times the groom and his friends would travel in a festive procression from his house to the home of the bride. It was the Jewish custom for the bridegroom to appear unexpectedly, sometimes in the middle of the night. Meanwhile the bride and her bridesmaids would wait expectantly for him to show up.

Usually no one went about on the streets after dark without a lighted lamp. They did not have lighted street lamps like we do today. So the wise bridesmaids kept their lamps filled with oil and ready to light on a moment's notice. When the groom arrived, he led the procression back to his home for the days of the wedding festivities while the foolish maidens were out looking for oil. After the wedding party entered the groom's house, the door was locked and no one else would be allowed to come in.

Jesus used this story to explain the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God will shut out all those who pretend to be Christians. Any person who remains a stranger to Jesus Christ will not be ready for Judgement Day. Even though God's Grace is Great, it has its limitations. Just as the bridesmaids could not borrow any oil, people cannot borrow relationships with God. Each one of us must receive Christ personally to be entitled to enter the gates of Heaven.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PARABLE:
CLICK HERE for Quiz from this Lesson

If you do not think you are ready
you can read the answers below before you take the quiz.

There may be more than one correct answer for the questions. The questions are asked to help students think more deeply about this parable:
1. Who was Jesus speaking to in this parable?
(His disciples)
2. What do the ten virgins (bridesmaids) stand for?
(All who think they are going to Heaven.)
3. What did each virgin (bridesmaid) take when she went out to meet the bridegroom?
(A lamp)
4. Why did they need lamps?
(In order to go with the groom to the wedding feast.)
5. What do the lamps signify?
(Our outward profession of faith through actions, talking, reading the Bible, attending services of worship and our personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ.)
6. Who does the bridegroom represent?
(Jesus Christ)
7. Who is Jesus' bride?
(The Church)
8. What did the foolish bridesmaids do?
(They did not have any oil in their lamps.)
9. What does the oil signify?
(Belief in Jesus, spiritual life, preparedness for Jesus' return)
10. Did they know when the groom was coming?
(No. They knew about when he would come but not the exact hour. It was the Jewish custom to surprise the bride and her bridesmaids.)
11. What did the bridegroom's arrival signify?
(The return of Jesus Christ.)
12. Do we know when Jesus will return?
(No. His coming will be a surprise.)
13. Was anyone angry because the maidens were sleeping?
(No, Not at all)
14. Why was the bridegroom angry at the foolish bridesmaids?
(Because they were not prepared for his coming; they had no oil.)
15. Why couldn't the wise bridesmaids share their oil with the foolish ones?
(They only had enough oil for themselves.)
QUESTIONS TO MAKE YOU THINK DEEPER
16. Can a person share his grace with another person?(No, like the oil, it cannot be divided. Each person must receive his own grace, must individually accept Christ as their Savior.)
17. How can we help our "foolish" friends?
(By bringing them to know God, by telling them about Jesus; but they, themselves, must make the decisions to become part of Christ's Church.)
18. When will the door be shut?
(On Judgement Day, only those who have accepted Christ will enter the kingdom.)
19. How can we be sure we will be invited to the wedding festivities?
(By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, by asking forgiveness of our sins.)
20. Challenge: Make sure you are ready every day for the return of Jesus Christ.

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
No one knows exactly when Jesus Christ will return to earth. But we do know that the time is near. We, as Christians should always keep our lamps burning brightly at all times. Whenever you do anything, think WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) How would Jesus feel if He arrived to watch you. Sometimes when I yell and argue with my family I think, "Wouldn't it be sad if Jesus came back today and I was angry at my own family It would be terrible to miss out on going to Heaven because I was mad at the people I loved most!"

Christians who are ready to meet the Lord can help others get ready before He comes. Remember we will not be able to help anyone after He comes. Only those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and have asked forgiveness of their sins will be welcomed at the door of God's Kingdom. Each person is responsible for his own relationship with God. On Judgement Day not one will receive a second chance. The door will be shut and they will not be allowed in.

Let us all be prepared to welcome Jesus with open arms when He returns by opening our hearts to Him today.

PRAYER
Our Father God, who art in Heaven,
Help us to be prepared for the return of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to bring others to Christ before He returns. Thank you for opening the door to Your Kingdom to all of those who believe.
In Jesus' name, amen.

(Allow time for students to pray individual prayers.)

CLICK HERE to read the parable of the ten Bridesmaids (Virgins).

Quiz from this Lesson

(The above 20 questions were taken from "Parables for Young Teens". 1986 The Standard Publishing Company, by Susan F. Titus. I was unable to find this Junior High Program available on the internet. It appears that the author is now Susan Titus Osborn who writes many Christian books.)