THE GREAT BANQUET

Season 3: Jesus the Storyteller
Episode 7: “The Great Banquet”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 14:15-24

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEbwiQvo5k4 (Saddleback Kids)

“Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (Luke 14:21b).
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God, like the man in Jesus’ story, has invited everyone to join Him in heaven. The religious leaders all thought they would be the lucky ones to enjoy an exclusive invitation from God; in their minds there were people who God wouldn’t invite. But Jesus wanted them to understand that everyone was invited...but only those who accepted the invitation would end up enjoying it.

In Jesus’ story, a man got things ready to celebrate a party with a number of invited guests; but they all refused to come and gave lots of excuses. The man was really mad and decided that he would still have his party, but would invite everyone. Anyone who accepted the invitation to come was most welcome; those who refused didn’t enjoy even one bite! That’s the way it is with God. We’re all invited to go to heaven, but only those who accept the invitation will enjoy it.

Think about it...

• Jesus was telling the religious leaders that they should be generous like God is. Who did Jesus say they should invite to their dinner parties?

• The man in Jesus’ story invited some friends to come to his party but they all refused. How would you feel if you were this man?

• He decided to invite everyone! What would you think if you got an invitation to a special banquet that was being hosted by someone famous?

• God has invited everyone to come to heaven. Have you accepted His invitation?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you don’t invite only some people to come to heaven, but have made a way for everyone to do so. Help me to tell others about this wonderful invitation so that they can enjoy God’s special banquet in heaven too.