There are things in life that catch us unready. Sadly, Jesus’s return will be the most meaningful moment of unreadiness for many people. But it doesn’t have to be!

KEY VERSES

Matthew 25:1-13 (NASB)

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take extra oil with them; 4 but the prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps. 5 Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and began to sleep.” 6 “But at midnight there finally was a shout: ‘Behold, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 However, the prudent ones answered, ‘No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’” 10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the groom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, because you do not know the day nor the hour.

UNDERSTANDING

• Pastor Jeff talked about things in life that catch us “not ready,” like a coach who after
  a loss says, “We weren’t ready for their offense,” or a college dropout who later says,
  “I wasn’t ready to handle the responsibility.” What is something in your life that caught you unready?

• Do you try to live in a state of “operational readiness,” as Pastor Jeff explained, or do you tend to fly by the proverbial seat of your pants?

• What is something you want to be ready for in 2022?

• Who do the two groups of virgins represent?

• What was the defining characteristic that distinguished the foolish from the wise?

• What was the one responsibility of the virgins?

• How might the foolish actions of this group relate to us today? What things distract or even prevent us from being watchful and ready for Christ’s return?

• What characteristics made some of the virgins wise? Practically speaking, what can we learn from them in regard to our own spiritual preparation?

• What does the lamp oil represent? How does this relate to being ready for Jesus’s return?

• What do these verses reveal about salvation? About a person’s relationship with Jesus?

• Why must our relationship with God be our own, not something we rely on others for?

• What does the wedding feast represent?

• What stands out to you about the bridegroom’s response to the foolish bridesmaids (v. 12)? How does this relate to Jesus’s words in John 14:6?
  

APPLICATION

• What does watching for Jesus’s return involve? How would you relate your level of preparedness for Jesus? What steps can you take to be better prepared for His return?

• How does a sense of urgency in regard to Christ’s return influence how we live on a daily basis? Explain.

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