LIFE GROUPS WEEK 8 – WINTER 2026
LIFE GROUPS – WEEK 8
FULL SERMON – 33 MINUTES
ICE BREAKER:
-
What’s one way you grew in faith or friendship during this Life Group season?
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 25:1-13 NLT
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Matthew 25:41-46 NLT
41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
KEEP IT UNCOMPLICATED:
Discussion Questions
1. Reflect on the parable of the bridesmaids in Matthew 25 how the bridesmaids didn’t live ready for the bridegroom to come back. Pastor Justice reminded us that we can be a lamp without oil, looking ready on the outside but not developing a personal relationship with God.
Are we living ready?
2. Reflect on the parable of the servants in Matthew 25:14-30 and consider how the servants received what God had given them and treated it either like it was theirs or they treated it like it was God’s.
What in our life are we still treating like it’s ours and not God’s?
3. Read Matthew 25:41-45 where we hear about hurting people who are neglected and need help. Jesus teaches us through this parable that caring for those in need is a reflection of our love for Him.
Are you loving and serving people well? Are there any needs you have been neglecting to help?
4. Matthew 7:21–23 NLT says “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
Do we truly know God and obey his laws? Is there a step of obedience we have been delaying?
Closing & Communion
- Finish sharing testimonies together.
- End in communion, taking turns to share what Christ means to you.
Next Steps
- Take a step of obedience and get baptized this weekend.
- Take the Life Group Survey to share your experience.
-
Start hosting your home or leading a Life Group next semester, starting May 4th for 6 weeks.
Related Posts