Matthew 25: Three Parables of Preparation

Christ gave us 3 parables to help us prepare for His Second Coming. We cannot procrastinate preparing. We must live our lives today as if he were coming today. We must develop the gifts and talents that he has given us and not hide them. And we must serve our fellow men.

1. The Parable of the Ten Virgins. Study Matthew 25:1–13 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 25:1–13, “What Is the Meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins?” (pgs. 154–155). Then, write responses to the following questions:
• Who does the bridegroom represent? Jesus Christ
• Who did President Harold B. Lee say the virgins represent? Those who were professed believers in Christ
• What does the wedding represent? The Second Coming of Christ
• Why did the bridegroom come at “midnight,” while the wedding guests “slumbered and slept”? “Jewish weddings included the announcement of the bridegroom’s coming to the bride’s house. The weddings usually began in the evening, with the lamps lit at dusk. So midnight was later than the ten virgins would have expected the bridegroom—and the announcement came suddenly.” http://www.lds.org/ensign/2009/03/the-parable-of-the-ten-virgins?lang=eng&query=bridegroom
• How does this apply to our waiting for the Savior’s Second Coming? We will not know when the Savior will be coming—he will come “suddenly”, so we need to make sure that we are prepared.
• What did five of the virgins do that was foolish (See Matthew 25:3)? They took their lamps but no extra oil with them.
• How might a Church member today make the same error as the foolish virgins? We may procrastinate the day of our repentance, or not be paying a full tithing, or saying our prayers, or reading our scriptures, or have a strong testimony when He comes.
• What would the consequences be? We would not be ready to meet him when He comes.
• What should we learn from the actions of the five wise virgins? We should be living as if each day is the day He will be coming and doing the things we know we should be doing.
• Keeping in mind that the oil in the parable represents spiritual preparation for the Second Coming, what are some ways we can add “oil” to our “lamps?” “Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil.”
• What does Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57 teach about ways to add oil to our lamps? It says that those that “have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived”.

2. The Parable of the Talents. After studying Matthew 25:14–30 and the institute student manual, “An Explanation for the Parable of the Entrusted Talents” (pg. 155), write responses to the following questions:
• Although a talent was a sum of money in New Testament times (see talent under “Weights and Measures” in the Bible Dictionary, pg. 789), it can also represent all that the Lord has given us. List the rewards each of the three men received in the parable of the talents and explain why each man received that reward. The servant with the five talents and the servant with the five talents who doubled their talents, both were made rulers over many things and entered into the joy of the lord. The servant with one talent who buried it, was cast into outer darkness.
• What mattered more than the number of talents or gifts each received? What mattered was what the servant did with the talents.
• What reason did the third man give for hiding his talent? He said that he was afraid he would lose it, so he hid it.
• What teachings in 2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 3:5–6; Doctrine and Covenants 3:7–8; 6:33–37 can help us overcome our fears and to develop and use the talents given to us from the Lord? He tells us that we should trust in the Lord and that He will give us strength to overcome the fear.
• Outline a plan whereby you can better develop and use two of the gifts the Lord has given to you. I can further develop and share my talent of singing by joining the ward choir, and I can further develop my talent for writing poetry by designating 2 Saturdays a month as writing days.
3. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. After studying Matthew 25:31–46 and Mosiah 2:17, write responses to the following questions:
• What difference does the way we treat others make to the Lord? This sums it up: Matthew 25:40 “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” If we are cruel, mean, judgemental, spiteful, abusive, etc. to our fellow men, it is as if we are doing it unto Christ.
• List the six actions found in Matthew 25:35–36 that permitted “the sheep” to receive their reward at the King’s right hand. They gave him meat, gave him drink, gave him shelter, clothed him, visited him when he was sick, and visited him when he was in prison.
• What are some spiritual or physical needs people have around you that are similar to those listed in the parable? There are those that have some of the same physical and spiritual needs, in addition to being lonely, and depressed.
• How will following the principles of this parable about preparation for the Second Coming help someone prepare for that event? You cannot fully be prepared for the Savior’s Coming without truly loving your neighbor and serving as Christ would have. Living a Christlike life is essential in preparing for His Second Coming.