The Invitation to Christ – Matthew 22:1-14

By David Woods

Discussion: If you are married, tell us about your wedding.  What was it like?  Or, simply tell us about the most beautiful wedding you have attended?

Discussion: Jesus’ parable is about an invitation by a king for people to attend the wedding of his son.  How would you describe this father’s attitude?

Discussion: In our culture of democracy and independence, we might view an invitation to a wedding as purely up to our discretion.  Would such an invitation by one’s king be viewed the same way by the citizens of a monarchy?

Discussion: This parable is an illustration of God inviting mankind to be saved.  How should we view His invitation?

Discussion: How did the king prepare for his guests?

Discussion: Why did the people reject this king’s invitation?

Discussion: What does this king’s insistence on having guests for his wedding imply about God’s desires?

Discussion: Why did the king allow both “bad and good” to come to his wedding?  What does this suggest about God’s attitude toward mankind?

Wedding garments appear to have been provided by the king.  Wearing this garment was required to be part of the wedding.

Discussion: Why would a guest who had consented to come to the wedding refuse to wear the provided wedding garment?  Why do some people come to church services regularly and call themselves “Christians” but fail to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour?

Discussion: Some might suggest such person’s desires or intentions are right, even though their action (or lack of action in that they fail to trust in Christ for salvation) is wrong.  Why will God punish such people by sending them to Hell?

Big Idea: Each person is personally responsible for his or her response to Christ’s invitation for salvation.

Discussion: Why do some wish not to feel responsible about responding to God’s call?

Discussion: Does focusing on our responsibility to answer God’s call lessen the graciousness of God’s salvation?  Why or why not?

Discussion: Since people are responsible for their answer to God’s call and since the stakes are so high, how should that affect how we speak to people about accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour?