Parables #10 – Study Questions
Wise and Foolish Maidens
Matt. 25:1-13
INTRODUCTION: Every parable has a context, and understanding it is often very helpful in understanding the parable. Often though, the details of the context can become shiny little distractions on our journey to unlocking the meaning of a parable. We must treat those elements with care and resist reading too much into or out of them. In this parable, it is helpful to have an understanding of general marriage customs. To the frustration of all interpreters of this parable, information about wedding customs in the ancient world is relatively sparse, and practices may have differed from place to place. Typically the betrothal took place in the bride’s father’s house and was a festive occasion with blessings, candles, and celebration. During the period between betrothal and marriage, which could extend several years—the young woman remained in her father’s house. When the wedding day came, after the bride was suitably adorned and perfumed, she would be taken in a festive procession to the groom’s home (or that of his parents, if the couple were to live there). About nightfall the procession would begin and the bride would be escorted to the groom’s house by an entourage with torches or lanterns. The groom would go out to receive the bride and bring her into his home where blessings and celebration would last as long as seven days. [1] With that, a key feature for any bride was the expectant anticipation of the groom. The bride was to be actively waiting, expecting, anticipating. Jesus uses this cultural context to remind us that we are to be actively waiting for him and his return. Here is another way of saying it, loving God in a life-defining way means that I am always paying attention for his presence and work in my life. Why? Because we know that he is present to us now through his Spirit and will return physically in the future. It would be unwise to live or to think that Jesus is not coming back. And, we desire his return because it ushers us into the fullness of the joy of our salvation. And in that, expectancy is an expression of joy.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, talk about a time in your life when you were joyfully or excitedly expecting something. What was it? How did it turn out? What did you learn from that experience?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
[1] Klyne Snodgrass, Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 510.