Parable of the Great Banquet (June 17th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Luke 14: 15-24

This week, we learned (or re-learned) the Parable of the Great Banquet. The children observed as so many different people were invited to a gorgeous banquet full of delicious food. When each would-be guest came up with more “important” things to do, the master sent his servant to bring in anyone he could find- widows, the poor, the blind, the sick- to enjoy the feast. Again, as with other parables, we shared that this one is like a door… even though it is meant for entering into, sometimes it feels like it is locked. We can return to it again later and perhaps it will be open to us. This metaphor is meant to help the children realize that, although parables are meant to help us better understand God’s story and the Kingdom of Heaven, it is often difficult to truly grasp the meaning- but that’s okay. We can return to these stories again and again throughout our entire lives.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder how it felt to be invited to this great feast?

I wonder why these people came and the others wouldn’t?

I wonder how the master feels about the guests?

I wonder how the guests feel about the master?

Prayer:

“Father, I pray that I would join you at the beautiful feast that you have prepared. Please help me to make you the most important thing in my life. I don’t want to get distracted by other things that seem more important, but it is tough sometimes. Thank you for loving me and helping me to grow closer to you in love. Amen.”