Matthew 22:1-14

Pastor Willie Behrends

Today we’ll see that God’s invitation to His Kingdom, (pictured as a wedding feast) is open to everyone; but only those who accept it and come ‘dressed’ correctly will stay!

Here are three things about this particular feast…

I – Some ___________________ the invitation! (1-7)

II – The guest list gets pretty______________! (8-10)

III – There’s a ___________ __________ to obey! (11-14)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Have I been ________________ God’s invitation?”

2. “Have I ___________________ someone God has invited?”

3. “Am I relying on my _________ wedding garment?”

This week’s Life Group Questions are on the back of this sheet →

NEXT WEEK: Whose ‘Image’ Is On You? Matthew 22:15-22

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS…

‘Getting to know you…’

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve ever attended, and what was it that made it memorable, (something funny, awkward, touching, etc.)?

Read Matthew 22:1-14 (Questions based on the English Standard Version© (ESV) Bible, 2001)

As you prepare for this week’s Life Group, 1-Carefully consider what this passage is saying (observation); 2-Ask, ‘who, what, when, where, why & how?’ (interpretation); 3-Consider what it means for us now (application).

Questions…

1. Read verses 1-7. Who originally received the King’s invitation, and how did they respond? What are some ‘distractions’ or ‘excuses’ that can keep us from responding to God’s invitation (i.e., His call) in our own lives?

2. Read verses 8-10. After the first guests refused the invitation to the wedding feast, who did the King invite next? Have you ever been surprised by the kind of people God saves or uses? Can you give an example?

3. In verses 11-14, what do you think the ‘wedding garment’ represents in this parable? (See also Galatians 3:27, Isaiah 61:10 and Revelation 19:7-8)

GROW…

What spiritual disciplines, (such as prayer, worship, service, meditation, etc.) help you to ‘keep your wedding garment clean’; in other words, what helps you to maintain closeness and integrity with God?

GO…

The King told his servants to “Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find!” Who might that represent in Your World, and who might you not normally think to invite to the feast?

Pray for each other as you go to Your Worlds this week.