LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus shares a parable about ten young women who were waiting for a bridegroom to arrive for a wedding celebration. In the culture of that time, weddings were joyous occasions that often lasted for days, and the bridegroom would come to collect his bride at an unexpected hour. The bridesmaids had an important job to light the way with their oil lamps when the groom finally arrived. Five of these young women were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps, preparing for a long wait. The other five were foolish and only brought their lamps without any extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, all ten fell asleep. At midnight, a shout rang out announcing the bridegroom’s arrival, and all ten woke up to trim their lamps.
The five foolish bridesmaids discovered their lamps had gone out and they had no oil to refill them. They asked the wise bridesmaids to share, but there was not enough for everyone. While the foolish ones went to buy more oil, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside to the wedding feast. The door was shut and locked. When the foolish bridesmaids returned and knocked on the door, the bridegroom told them he did not know them, and they were not allowed inside. Jesus explains that this parable teaches us to always be ready because we do not know the day or hour when He will return. Just as the wise bridesmaids were prepared with their lamps lit and oil ready, we must live our lives in obedience to God, showing through our actions and hearts that we are ready to meet Jesus at any moment.
PLAY ROOM 8:45–9:00
Children will be dropped off in the playroom between 8:45–9:00 a.m. Allow them to play freely as they arrive. Transition them to the classroom at 9:00 a.m.
OPENING ACTIVITY 9:00–9:15 | Candle Holders
Items Needed
- Candle Holder
- Candles
- Paint & Paint Brushes
- Tags
- String
- Matches (Optional)
Give each child a candle holder to paint. Give them a tag to color. Help them tie their tag to their candle holder (once dry). Give them a candle to put into their candle holder.
BIBLE STORY 9:15–9:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Matthew
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? New Testament
[Hold up a small lamp or flashlight] Look what I have! This is a lamp. In Bible times, people used lamps like this to see in the dark. Today we’re going to hear a story Jesus told about some girls who had lamps.
Jesus told a special story called a parable. A parable is a story that teaches us something very important about God. Are you ready to hear it?
There was a big, big wedding! Weddings are so fun! Have you ever been to a wedding? [Let kids respond]
At this wedding, there were TEN bridesmaids! Can you hold up ten fingers? [Hold up ten fingers with kids and count]
[Hold up five fingers on one hand] Five of the bridesmaids were WISE. Can you say wise? [Wait] Wise means they were smart and made good choices.
[Hold up five fingers on other hand] But five of the bridesmaids were FOOLISH. Can you say foolish? [Wait] Foolish means they were not thinking ahead and made silly choices.
Now, the bridesmaids had to wait for the groom to come get the bride. But nobody knew when he would come! He might come early in the night. He might come late, late, late at night!
All the bridesmaids had lamps. Their lamps needed oil to burn and make light. Let’s pretend to pour oil. [Make pouring motion, kids copy] Pour, pour, pour the oil!
[Use thoughtful voice] The five WISE bridesmaids thought, hmm, what if the groom comes really late? We might need more oil! So they brought extra bottles of oil.
But the five FOOLISH bridesmaids said, oh, we don’t need extra oil. They only had oil in their lamps.
[Whisper] The bridesmaids waited and waited and waited. It got later and later. They got so sleepy! Can you yawn like you’re sleepy? [Yawn big, kids copy] Aaahhhhh! They all fell asleep. Let’s pretend to sleep. [Fold hands under cheek, kids copy] Shhhhh, sleeping.
[Suddenly loud] Then while they were asleep, someone shouted, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING! Everybody wake up! Wake up, wake up!
[Use urgent voice] All the bridesmaids woke up! They needed to get their lamps ready! Let’s pretend to fix our lamps. [Pretend to adjust lamp, kids copy] Fix, fix, fix your lamp!
[Use worried voice] But the five foolish bridesmaids looked at their lamps. Their lamps had gone out! No more fire! The oil was all gone!
[Use pleading voice] The foolish bridesmaids said, please, please, can we have some of your oil? But the wise bridesmaids said, we only have enough for our lamps. We don’t have extra to share. You’ll have to go buy some more oil.
[Shake head] So the five foolish bridesmaids had to run away to find more oil.
[Use happy voice] But the five WISE bridesmaids had their lamps all ready and bright! Their lamps were shining! Can you hold up your pretend lamp and make it shine? [Hold up hands high like holding lamp, kids copy] Shine, shine, shine!
[Use joyful voice] The groom came and saw the bride! He was so happy! Everyone with their lamps lit walked together to the wedding party.
When they got to the groom’s house, they all went inside. There was yummy food and dancing and so much fun! Can you clap for the party? [Clap, kids copy] Yay!
[Use serious voice] But then, the groom closed the door. [Make door closing motion] Boom! He locked it tight so no strangers could come in.
[Use knocking motion] Later, the five foolish bridesmaids came back. Knock, knock, knock! Can you knock? [Knock in air, kids copy] Let us in, let us in!
[Shake head] But the groom said, I don’t know who you are. You can’t come in. The door stayed closed. The foolish bridesmaids missed the whole party because they were not ready!
[Sit forward, use gentle teaching voice] Jesus told this story to teach us something very important. Jesus is coming back to earth one day! He’s going to come and take everyone who loves Him to heaven! That will be the most wonderful party ever!
[Hold up one finger] But here’s the important part. We don’t know WHEN Jesus is coming back. It might be today! It might be tomorrow! It might be when you’re a grown up! We just don’t know!
[Use encouraging voice] So Jesus wants us to be READY. Just like the wise bridesmaids were ready with their lamps, we need to be ready for Jesus. How do we get ready? We love God with all our heart! Can you put your hands on your heart? [Put hands on heart, kids copy] We obey God! We are kind to others! We talk to Jesus in prayer! We learn about Him in the Bible!
Are YOU ready for Jesus? [Let them respond] Let’s all be wise and be ready every single day!
THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS:
- Who told this story about the bridesmaids? (Jesus)
- How many bridesmaids were wise and ready? (Five)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
- How can we be ready for Jesus to come back? (By loving God, obeying Him, being kind, praying)
- What should we do every day to keep our hearts ready for Jesus? (Obey God, love others, pray, learn about Jesus)
PRAYER:
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to earth. Thank You that one day Jesus will come back and take us to heaven to be with You forever. Help us to be wise like the bridesmaids who were ready. Help us to love You, obey You, and be ready every single day. In Jesus’ name, Amen! [Everyone say Amen together!]
WORSHIP IN SONG 9:25–9:35
PRAYER 9:35–9:45
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for wisdom to be ready for Jesus’ return and for help in obeying God every day.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 9:45–9:55 | Ready or Not Action Game
Call out different scenarios and have children respond with actions. Say things like,
- If you love Jesus, jump up and down!
- If you’re ready for Jesus, clap your hands!
- If you obey mommy and daddy, stomp your feet!
- If you pray to Jesus, fold your hands!
- If you listen to God, touch your ears!
- If you share your toys, give a high five!
- If you help your family, pat your tummy!
- If you go to church, spin around!
- If you sing to Jesus, wiggle your fingers!
- If you’re a good helper, touch your nose!
- If you’re kind to friends, give a thumbs up!
- If you’re excited about Jesus, shout “Hooray!”
- If you hug your mommy and daddy, squeeze yourself tight!
- If you say your prayers at bedtime, close your eyes!
- If you use kind words, touch your mouth!
- If you wait your turn, sit down fast then stand up!
- If you make good choices, put your hands on your hips!
- If you’re ready to see Jesus someday, jump and shout “Yes!”
Do it once with the room lights on. Do it a second time by flashlight or oil lamp light.
BIBLE CRAFT 9:55–10:10 | Oil in My Lamp Craft
Items Needed
- Oil in My Lamp Craft
- Zip Lock Bags + Tape
- Crayons (Yellow, Orange, Red, Gold)
- Glue
Precut out the oil lamps and oil drops, and glue the oil lamps into “pockets”. Put the oil drops in ZipLock bags and tape each one to the wall. Let kids color the oil lamps. Then let kids take turns picking an oil drop off the wall and explaining how we can be ready for Jesus to return at anytime by discussing the words on the oil drop.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 10:10–10:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks while watching the Bible Story video.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Glow Stick Science
Glow Stick Science Activity (10 minutes)
Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids – Being Ready with Light
Items Needed:
- Glow sticks (1 per child, plus 2-3 extras for demonstration)
- Dark blanket or large cardboard box to create darkness
- Flashlight (optional, for comparison)
- Small basket or container to hold glow sticks
Begin by gathering the children in a circle and showing them the uncracked glow sticks. Ask them what they think is inside and let them examine one that hasn’t been activated yet. Remind them briefly about the parable: “The wise bridesmaids had oil ready for their lamps. Today we’re going to make light too!” Demonstrate by showing an uncracked glow stick and asking if it can help us see in the dark. Then crack and shake one glow stick, letting the children watch in amazement as it lights up. Darken a corner of the room or go under a blanket to show how well the glow stick works in the dark. Emphasize: “The wise bridesmaids were READY with their oil. We got READY by cracking our glow stick!”
Next, give each child their own glow stick and help them crack and shake it (4-year-olds will need assistance). Celebrate as each one lights up! Turn off the room lights or create a dark area with blankets, and let the children explore with their glow sticks. Ask questions like “Can you see now? What happens without light?” Then play a simple movement game: when you say “NIGHTTIME,” children hide their glow sticks behind their backs. When you say “THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING,” they hold their lights up high. Repeat this 3-4 times with lots of excitement and energy.
Close the activity by connecting it back to the parable. Ask: “What happened when we cracked the glow stick? Were we READY with light? The wise bridesmaids had oil ready, and we got our glow sticks ready! We need to be ready for Jesus too!” Have all the children hold their lights up high and say together, “I’m ready for Jesus!” Let them take their glow sticks home as a reminder, or use them for free play. If you have extra time, you can create a glow stick dance party in the darkened room or let children “write” their names in the air with the light.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE | Matthew 25:1-13 (ESV)
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Be Ready
What I Learned Today: Today we learned that Jesus told a story about ten bridesmaids who were waiting for a wedding. Five were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps so they were ready when the bridegroom came. Five were foolish and did not bring extra oil, so they missed the wedding. Jesus wants us to always be ready for when He comes back by loving and obeying God every day.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- Who told the story about the ten bridesmaids? (Jesus)
- How many bridesmaids were in the story? (Ten)
- How many bridesmaids were wise? (Five)
- How many bridesmaids were foolish? (Five)
- What did the lamps need to keep burning? (Oil)
- Who came to get the bride? (The bridegroom)
- What happened when the foolish bridesmaids came back? (The door was locked and they could not go in)
- Is Jesus coming back to earth one day? (Yes)
- Do we know when Jesus is coming back? (No)
- Where is this story found in the Bible? (The Book of Matthew in the New Testament)
Life Application Questions:
- How can you be ready for Jesus? (Love God, obey Him, be kind, pray, learn about Jesus)
- What does it mean to be wise like the bridesmaids? (To be prepared and ready by obeying God)
- Why is it important to be ready for Jesus every day? (Because we don’t know when He is coming back)
- What are some ways you can show you love God? (Praying, being kind, obeying parents, going to church, reading the Bible)
- How do you think the wise bridesmaids felt when they got to go to the party? (Happy, joyful, excited)