STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes) Share an experience of being unprepared for an event.

WORSHIP

READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(How would it feel to be one of the wise girls in this parable?)

RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)

PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)

COMMENTARY
This Gospel is part of Jesus' talk on the end of time, when the world we know will end and God's kingdom will come completely. Jesus tells a parable that urges people to be ready for this great event, the eternal wedding reception. The delayed arrival of the groom is the delayed Second Coming of Christ. People must not be lulled into carelessness, into thinking that it will never happen. It will and we do not know when. The theme of this parable is that the wise are prepared to complete their task. The oil is the good works done for others. We must be prepared by living according to the gospel, doing good for others. [Baranowski]

The challenge for the church is what kind of community will it be? Like Matthew's churches it must re-order its priorities, question the individualism that has be-devilled so much of contemporary life, re-examine the need for communal action borne out of a passionate love of God and neighbours and look at its resources ecumenically. But above all to be prepared to go and meet him [v.6] wherever and whenever.[Price]

PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)

2. What has happened to help you remain faithful to your faith journey?

3. Are there any areas in your life where your light has gone out i.e. areas where you do not show the love of Jesus?

PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets / pray for each other –25 minutes)

LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)

4. In what ways does our church community need to redefine its priorities to be true to this passage?

5. What practical outcome is there from our reflection? Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?

GROUP MEMORY TIME
(Review the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)

REVIEW TIME
Are the questions too challenging for us?
If, YES, what does that say to us about our understanding of the Gospel?

PRAYER TIME
You could pray that individually, as a local church and as a worldwide church we will be faithful to our calling until Jesus comes