Story Details
Where do we find the Parable of the Great Banquet?
Luke 14:15-24
What did the person eating with Jesus say about the kingdom of God?
"Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God"
How many excuses are specifically described in the parable?
Three
What does the banquet help picture in Jesus' teaching?
God's kingdom
Who was originally invited to the banquet in the first half of the parable?
Many Guests
What did the man send his servant to tell the invited people?
"Come, for everything is now ready"
What did the first person buy and what did he need to do after?
A field and they went to go and see it
What does accepting an invitation require from us?
A response—we must choose whether to accept it
What did the invited people begin to do instead of coming?
They made excuses
What did the servant say after bringing in the poor, crippled, blind, and lame?
"What you ordered has been done, but there is still room"
What did the second person buy and what did he need to do?
Five yoke/pairs of oxen and they left to try them out
Why aren't the guests' excuses simply about being “busy”?
Their excuses show that other things had become more important to them than accepting the invitation.
How did the master react when the servant reported that the invited people had refused?
He became angry
What additional place was the servant sent to after the city streets and lanes?
The roads and country lanes
What was the reason for the third person's excuse?
They just got married, so they couldn't come
What warning does the parable give about possessions and responsibilities?
Good things such as materials, work, and family can become wrong priorities if they keep us from responding to God
Name all of the excuses given by those guest for not coming
One bought a field, one bought five pairs of oxen, and one had just gotten married
List the groups in the order they were invited:
A. People from the roads and country lanes
B. The poor, crippled, blind, and lame
C. The people who had originally been invited
C → B → A
What do all three excuses have in common?
Each person had something else they considered more important than accepting the invitation
Why might Jesus emphasize that there was still room after the first guests refused?
It shows that God's invitation is generous and that He desires people to come and be part of His kingdom.