The Parables of Jesus - Lesson 13

By John Harrison

Parables of the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13)

Objectives: By the end of this lesson the learner will be able to:

Describe important background information that will improve the readers' understanding of the parables of the Ten Bridesmaids.
List the major lessons conveyed by both parables.
Determine applications of the major lessons to contemporary situations. O/H 1

Teaching Aids and Materials:

Easy to understand Bibles for every student (CEV, RSV, NAV, NIV, NRSV, etc.)
A chalkboard, marker board, or overhead projector.

Lesson Plan for Conducting the Class

Introduction: (about 8-10 minutes)

Begin class by welcoming members and any visitors; make all necessary class announcements; songs.
Lead the class in a prayer that will include asking God to give us the wisdom to be morally prepared when he comes.
Q: Who would like to share what they identified as an area where they struggle with a commitment to the kingdom? (Allow 2-3 learners to respond. You may need to start this by sharing your own areas of struggles.)
Q: Do you think that most Christians live each day hoping Jesus will return sooner or later? (Allow about 3 learners to respond and ask them to explain their answer.)
Share with the learners the lesson objectives. O/H 1
Have someone read Matthew 25:1-13.

Learning Experiences: (about 20-25 minutes)

Part I: Background information for the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

This parable is only found in Matthew's Gospel. It is part of a section of Matthew that scholars label "The Eschatological Discourse" because these teachings of Jesus deal with events that will occur at the return of Christ. Along with the preceding parable of the faithful and foolish slaves, it is primarily directed towards anticipation of final judgment. It is important to observe at the beginning that Jews would have been accustomed to hearing a story in which God is portrayed as Israel's husband. In several Old Testament passages the imagery of marriage to God is utilized to characterize the personal relationship between God and his people (see Isa. 54:5-8; 62:5b; Jer. 31:32; Ezek. 16:8- 14; and Hos. 2:1-23). When Jesus told this parable, the Bridegroom most naturally would have symbolized God. Explain to the learners that in order to reconstruct the marriage customs of Palestinian Jews in the first century we are dependent upon information that comes primary from either the Old Testament or later rabbinic sources (sources written in the 2nd century A.D.). This means that what we can understand about Jewish customs during this time is limited. It is very likely that there were customs observed that could not be dated back to the Old Testament period or did not survive up until the time of the writing of the rabbinic sources. Q: Does anybody know at about what age a Jewish couple would typically get married in the first century? A: According to ancient sources couples got married when they were quite young. Generally the bride would be about 12-13 years old and the groom was 18. The couple getting married would go through two stages. The first stage was known as the kiddushin or erusin. This stage is equivalent to a betrothal in which the parents (and possibly with the consent of the couple) made a contract for the marriage. One important thing to remember is that during this period the woman was legally the man's wife and that this contract could not be broken except through the legal proceedings of a divorce (see Matt. 1:19 where Joseph considers divorcing Mary, his betrothed wife). After about a year, the actual marriage occurred. This second stage was known as the nissu'in or huppah. It was not until this marriage took place that the couple actually lived together. When the husband had his home ready for his bride, he would go to join his bride and her attendants at his parent's home. It is at his parent's home that the marriage festival took place. This festival usually lasted for seven days. Q: Why were five of the bridesmaids foolish? A: They did not take extra oil for their lamps. Explain to the learners that the word for "lamps" (the Greek word is lampadas) could be used for two different kinds of devices. It could mean "torches". Jews often took wooden poles, wrapped the top ends with cloths, drenched the cloths with olive oil, and then lit them. These kinds of lamps were typically used for outdoor purposes. The women would then have trimmed these burning lamps that were getting ready to go out by removing the outer layers of cloths and applying more olive oil. The other possibility is that these lamps were fashioned out of metal or clay and came with a wick. These were primarily used indoors. With these lamps the women would simply have to add oil and adjust the wicks. Between these two possibilities, the second is more likely. Since it appears that the women are inside and are called to come out (v. 6) to meet the bridegroom, it is less likely, though still conceivable, that they would have used torches. Draw the learners' attention to the issue that the basic lesson of the parable could be conveyed without verses 11-12. Its presence adds an additional lesson that is a familiar theme in Matthew's Gospel. On the day of judgment, some disciples will call out "Lord, Lord" but because they have been morally disobedient, the Lord Jesus will not welcome them (see Matt. 7:21-23 and 25:37-40).

Part Il: Lessons from both parables

Q: Whom is Jesus talking to? A: Jesus is addressing the disciples on the Mount of Olives. They have asked him to explain when Jerusalem would be destroyed (25:3). Q: Who are the main characters? A: The main characters are: 1. The bridegroom 2. Five foolish bridesmaids 3. Five wise bridesmaids. Q: What do you think the oil symbolizes? What will some disciples have that foolish ones will not? A: It is probably best to interpret the symbolism of the oil (and the talent) with the clearer description of the foolish actions of the slave (Matt. 24:48, 49) and those who on the day of judgment will be condemned by the King (Matt. 25:41-45). Q: What lessons do the main characters convey? A: The lessons they convey are: 1. God's day of judgment (or Jesus' return) may not come as quickly as some disciples anticipate. 2. Wise disciples must be ready to show Jesus their good deeds when the time comes to enter into the final kingdom of God. 3. Those who have no good deeds to show when Jesus comes will find they have no time to get prepared and still enter the final kingdom. O/H 2

Part III: Contemporary applications of the main lesson

Q: In what ways might a Christian run out of "oil" before Jesus would return? A: There could be several answers. One example would be that they start off strong in acts of kindness and patience but soon lose interest because they get tired or burned out. Also they may lose their focus on righteousness because they are resentful that their righteousness is not appreciated. Q: This parable seems to suggest that when Jesus returns those who are saved have enough righteousness. Does this lesson contradict the theology that says we are saved by grace through faith alone? A: Jesus is not teaching through this parable that one merits salvation through righteousness but rather warning those who think they will be saved even though they have not behaved righteously. Salvation can't be bought, but neither will it be mocked.

Application:

Distribute to the learners the handout 1 "Prepared for the Bridegroom". Ask them to list specific examples of righteous acts that Jesus will be expecting to find in them when he returns. Ask if a couple of learners would like to share what is on their list.

Assignment: (about 2 minutes)

Instruct the learners to take their list and concentrate this week to show more examples of that kind of righteousness in their lives.

Lesson Wrap-up

Review the lesson objectives. If time permits, ask the learners to reflect on this series and tell you what things they have learned or what things they would still like to learn about Jesus' parables.

Overhead 1

Lesson Objectives

Describe important background information that will improve the readers' understanding of the parables of the Ten Bridesmaids.
List the major lessons conveyed by both parables.
Determine applications of the major lessons to contemporary situations.

Overhead 2

Lessons from the parable

God's day of judgment (or Jesus' return) may not come as quickly as some disciples anticipate. - Wise disciples must be ready to show Jesus their good deeds when the time comes to enter into the final kingdom of God. - Those who have no good deeds to show when Jesus comes will find they have no time to get prepared and still enter the final kingdom.

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Lesson 13 Handout

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