Keep Awake

Small Groups

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5 minutes). Divide participants into pairs or groups of three and have them answer, “Are you generally ready on time, or do you scramble to get out the door? What does ‘on time’ mean to you…early, at the agreed-upon time, or a few minutes late?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You may not get through all the questions in the time you have together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

Read Matthew 25:1-13 aloud, inviting participants to have the scripture in front of them, either in a Bible, on a phone app, or printed on paper. Ask group members the following questions:

• What are your first impressions of this parable? Feel free to share interpretations that may make you uncomfortable or that you find confusing.
• This is the second of four parables that are all considered “warning parables.” (Matthew 24:45-51 before this passage, and Matthew 25:14-30 and 31-46 after it. The two other parables in Matthew 25 will be introduced in the next two weeks.) In this one, part of the story is the affirmation of the bridesmaids who have extra oil to keep their lamps burning as they await the bridegroom. The listener to Jesus’ teaching is encouraged to “Keep awake” (NRSVUE)/”Keep watch” (NIV)/”Keep alert” (CEB)/”Stay alert” (The Message) “for you know neither the day nor the hour” (of Jesus’ return) (v. 23, NRSVUE). What are your thoughts or questions about Jesus’ return? Is there an emotion connected to that for you?
• The “present tense” nature of these words/phrases points to an active alertness or waiting that implies an ongoing state of alertness, not something that one did and now one is done. What do you think it means to “Keep watch/stay alert” for Jesus’ return in this season of life?
• What questions does this passage bring up for you?
• What could the following symbolize:
• The wise bridesmaids?
• The foolish bridesmaids?
• The oil?
• The bridegroom?
• The wedding?
• The door?
• The Preaching Notes for November 8 say:

What if the story is about presence? Waiting for a presence, to be sure, but also being present in the life of waiting. “Keep awake,” Jesus says, “stay present.” Pay attention to what is happening around you, in you, and to you. Listen to those who want to tell you their stories and hear the echoes of the story of the one who comes. Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice: that’s the oil that brings light into a world too accustomed to darkness. “Keep awake” is a call to presence, to embodiment, to mindfulness. It’s not a selfish presence, however. It’s a presence awake to those around us.

• What resonates with you about this idea? What challenges you?
• For personal reflection: how “awake” to the things of God do you feel in this season of your life?
• Read back through the scripture passage. Is there a word or a phrase that stands out? Write it down for consideration in the week ahead.
• Just One Thing: What is one thing you want to do because of the discussion today?
• Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the other lectionary texts in the following pattern:
• Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
• Read the text of your choice [Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 and Psalm 78:1-7,  
  Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 or Amos 5:18-24 and Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20 or Psalm 70, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] out loud.
• What do you notice about the text?
• What questions arise?
• What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Dear God, we confess that we may be asleep to your presence in some parts of our lives. Will you wake us up where we are asleep to your presence? And where we are awake, will you continue to stir us into active waiting on your return? Where we have questions, will you meet us, assuring us of your patient love, that we might be filled with your love and grow in patience. In Christ’s name, whose return we await, we pray, Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.