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A parable of Jesus · Part 20 of 20 · 3 min

Lamps Ready for the Feast

A story about responsibility, hope, and faith

Jesus told a story about ten young women waiting for a bridegroom to arrive at his wedding feast.

They all carried lamps. In those days, lamps needed oil to keep their little flames burning.

A lamp needed oil to keep its flame burning.
A lamp needed oil to keep its flame burning.

Five women brought extra oil. The other five brought lamps but no extra oil.

The young women prepared their lamps and waited.

Ten young women prepare clay lamps for a wedding feast.
Five young women brought extra oil.

The bridegroom was delayed. The night grew late, and everyone felt sleepy. At last they all fell asleep.

All the young women fell asleep while they waited.
All the young women fell asleep while they waited.

At midnight a call announced that the bridegroom was coming.

Everyone woke up and tended her lamp.

The young women woke up and tended their lamps.
The young women woke up and tended their lamps.

Those without enough oil saw their lights going out. They asked the others for oil, but there would not be enough for everyone.

They went to buy more.

While they were away, the bridegroom arrived. The women who were ready went into the feast with him, and the door closed.

Five women enter a wedding feast with lit lamps while five remain outside.
The women who were ready entered the feast.

The burning lamps lit the way.

When the others returned, it was too late to enter.

The other young women arrived after the door had closed.
The other young women arrived after the door had closed.

Jesus invited us to be ready to welcome him.

That does not mean being afraid or staying awake all night. Everyone in the story slept. The difference was their preparation.

We can get to know Jesus today, talk with him, and let his Spirit help us live with love.

Someone else's trust in God cannot take the place of our own. Our families can guide us, and we can learn to trust too.

We care for that friendship each day by listening, asking forgiveness, sharing, and doing good with his help.

We wait for Jesus with hope.

Our parable series ends here. We can enjoy the stories again and keep learning about Jesus' love.

Retelling of Matthew 25:1–13.

Supporting reading: Christ's Object Lessons, chapter 29. Open the English book

Talk about it together

  • Responsibility
  • Hope
  • Faith

A verse to remember

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Matthew 25:13 · excerptNKJV

  1. What did five of the young women bring besides their lamps?
  2. How might the young women feel when they heard the bridegroom was coming?
  3. What simple habit helps you care for your friendship with Jesus today?

Activity · 2–5 minutes

Getting Ready with Hope

Before reading a story as a family, prepare a place to sit, put away distractions, and invite everyone to join in. Then talk about this question: “What would have happened if we had not prepared anything?” Remember that Jesus invites us to be ready for his return by trusting him and putting his teachings into practice each day.

Try it today: I can care for my friendship with Jesus through small loving moments each day.

More stories with these values

Find the silhouette

Open the interactive activity or prepare a printable sheet for home, classroom, or family.

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