Banquet Parable

Matthew 22:8-10

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew was a disciple of Jesus. That means Jesus was his teacher. And the word gospel means “good news!”

Jesus sometimes taught people using special teaching stories called parables.


Jesus told a story about a huge party table that could seat lots of people. Did you know that when you invite someone to a party, you call them your “guest”? It’s true! And when you have a party guest, you want them to feel loved and welcome. And you want to have your table all ready.


You put out decorations and flowers, and all kinds of things to make the table look nice. But then you need a few more things. What else do you think a party table needs for our guests? 


Some plates would be helpful. And, if we have plates for our party guests, I think we need food to put on them. We don’t want the guests to be hungry. What should we serve? Your guests will eat well at your party. 


Oh! And, we’ll want to add some music, too! So, we have the plates, the food, the music, and the decorations. Now, all we need is to invite the guests.


Who would you invite to a party? When Jesus told this story, He was teaching us something very important. Jesus said EVERYONE is invited to the party. Everyone is invited to the party because Jesus loves everyone! Jesus said that no matter what you’ve done, no matter where you live, "I love you." No matter what language you speak or what kind of food you eat, "I love you."


You can be a super loud-yelling singer or a super quiet whispering singer and Jesus loves you. If you have brown hair or blue hair or NO hair, Jesus said, “You’re invited to my party!” Because Jesus loves everyone.






Bible Paraphrase: Do everything in love.  —1 Corinthians 16:14, NIV

Text Truth: Jesus loves everyone.



Family Devotional

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.”
—Matthew 22:8-10

Our Bible story was a story Jesus told. Jesus told a story about a big, beautiful party, and EVERYONE was invited because Jesus loves EVERYONE! 

In the story, everything for the party was ready. The table was set. The food was ready. The drinks were poured. It was wonderful! All the party needed was people. So party invitations were sent out for EVERYONE to come to the party! 

Jesus told this story so we can know that He loves everyone and everyone is invited to His party.

Do everything in love.  —1 Corinthians 16:14, NIV

Jesus loves everyone. So, with your family, make a list of people Jesus loves.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to be our friend forever and show us how to love everyone the way He loves everyone. Jesus loves (list every name written your family's list). Jesus loves everyone! Help us do everything in love the way Jesus does. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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Some story illustrations are in the Public Doman.

All illustrations are the properties of their respective owners.
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