Parable of the Great Banquet
Jesus told a story of a master who gave a feast and the guests he invited.
Before You ListenLet's Get Started
Theme: Reflecting God - Jesus Talks About God’s Kingdom
- It feels really good to be invited to something like a birthday party. Can you think of something you were invited to and were excited about?
- In this story, a master of a house invited lots of people to a big celebration feast. As you listen, notice the excuses people gave when they said no to the master’s invitation. Then, notice the people that said yes.
After you listen
Memory Verse
At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
Quiz
A: Those who are poor. He also invited those who can’t see or walk.
Reflect
Undoubtedly, the master had a great deal of time, money, and effort to prepare for this celebration. So when he sent his servant to bring in the guests, he must have been excited for them to arrive. But one by one, they refused his invitation. Their reasons varied, but the bottom line was that they were all too busy to attend the master’s celebration. Their refusal must have both hurt and angered him. They just didn’t want to stop what they were doing to celebrate with him.
But the master wouldn’t settle for an empty house. He sent his servants out again and again to invite the people in his community who were usually ignored, forgotten, or even mistreated. While he was sad and angry about those who did not come, he was excited to open his house to those who did say yes.
God is also inviting us to celebrate with him―both here on this earth and eternally in heaven. Are you too busy or too distracted to reply to God’s invitation? Make sure that following God takes priority in your life. Answer when he invites you!
Jesus spent a lot of time talking about the kingdom of God while he was on this earth. Want to dig deeper and learn more about what Jesus said about the kingdom of God? Check out some other stories in Luke 13:18-21 and Matthew 13.
Challenge
Think of a time when you were invited to a celebration. Or maybe you had a celebration and asked other people to come. Being invited and included is a great feeling. It is even greater to know that God invites us to be with him and welcomes us into his kingdom forever.
- Plan a celebration! Ask your parents or friends for help and invite people to attend. Do your best not to leave anyone out. Notice how inviting people excites you. How excited are people to say yes? How will you make everyone feel welcome when they arrive?
- As you plan the celebration, thank God for inviting you to celebrate with him as you accept his invitation.
