The Stories Jesus Told #1 - The Shut Door
Matthew 25:1-13
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Part of The Stories Jesus Told (Part 2)—April 6 - June 30, 2024
April 5, 2024

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Message Notes and Group Study Guide

Date: April 6-7, 2023
Speaker: Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Series: The Stories Jesus Told (Part 2)
Message: #1 - The Shut Door

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Scripture

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. —Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV)

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” —Matthew 4:17 (NIV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ —Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. —1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. —Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. —1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. —Revelation 3:2-3 (NIV)

“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” —Revelation 16:15 (NIV)

Notes

Study Guide

Step One: Icebreaker (Optional)
Think of a time when you were late for something. What happened?

Step Two: Open
Ask someone in your group to pray to open your time together. Ask another person to read Matthew 25:1-13.

Step Three: Discuss

  1. What stood out to you the most in this weekend’s teaching? What was challenging, encouraging, or confusing to you?

  2. What is the kingdom of heaven like?

  3. Why were five of the virgins considered wise? Why were the other five considered foolish?

  4. Why didn’t the wise virgins share their oil with the foolish virgins?

  5. Who does the bridegroom represent, and why does he come at midnight?

  6. What is the most important planning and preparing we can do for the future?

Step Four: Close in Prayer