Young people page

Jump to Bible notes

Warm up 5 mins WE

Remove several pieces from a simple jigsaw and ask the group to complete it. You could play the song ‘In Crowd’ by The Mamas and The Papas. When they discover there are pieces missing, explain that these represent the outsiders and the jigsaw is the ‘in crowd’. How does that make the young people feel?

Comic strip 15 mins ES

Read Matthew 22.1-14 together and invite the young people to create a six-section cartoon storyboard of the parable on a large sheet of paper.

Questions to discuss

What surprises you most about the parable?
Who might be considered outsiders and be invited to the wedding feast today?
Why do you think the man without a wedding robe is punished? (See Bible notes on p.30.)

Who do you say that I am? 5 mins WE

Tell the story of how a new American pastor introduced himself to his church. What do the group think of what he did? How would people react if the same thing happened at your church? How do our responses to people compare with God’s?

The Mole of Edge Hill 10 mins W

Joseph Williamson (1769-1840) was a wealthy Liverpool businessman and philanthropist who built a network of tunnels under the city to provide employment for hundreds of men. One day he invited his friends to dinner and served them a simple meal of porridge and hard biscuits. Many of the guests left in disgust. Those who remained he said were his real friends and they were served a lavish feast. How does this story connect with the parable?

For more information on Joseph Williamson watch a tour guide explain more about the project and look at the photo gallery on Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre website.

Jump to PostScript: weekly topical issues and commentary every Thursday

Jump to Hymns, songs & music for additional music ideas

Preview songs on YouTube, buy online and download.

Divine Romance, Phil Wickham on Phil Wickham
There Is A day, Phatfish on 15
God’s Great Dance Floor, Chris Tomlin, on Burning Lights

Jump to Explore & respond (Children) for additional ideas

Everyone’s invited! 15 mins ES

Make a placard that can be displayed near your church entrance. Use a large piece of stiff card and sketch out ‘Welcome to our church!’ in block letters that can be painted, or stick down small overlapping pieces of torn-up magazine pages to create a mosaic effect.

Room at the table? 10 mins+ WEA

FOMO is an acronym used on social media, but ‘fear of missing out’ is not a new feeling. It is clear who today’s ‘in crowd’ is and who are ‘uninvited guests’. Think about local people who might be considered ‘uninvited guests’.

Think about local people who might be considered ‘uninvited guests’ and plan an event at your church like a community meal or an event for them e.g. Halloween or Bonfire Night. Create publicity and invitations for it. You could make it a Facebook event and invite people through that, too.

Picture pointers: ‘Have you ever turned up at a party wearing inappropriate clothes?'

Have you ever turned up at a party wearing inappropriate clothes?
What do you think are the motives of the man dressed in beach wear?
How do you clothe yourself in righteousness?

Jump to Prayers

Do not worry… 5 mins S

Give everyone a card with the words of Philippians 4.6. Invite them to find a quiet comfortable place in which to meditate on the verse. Play some gentle music (see Listen) and light a candle. Invite the young people to lay their worries before God, to give him thanks and ask him for what they need.

You are all ‘in’ 5 mins ES

Ask everyone to write their name on a blank postcard and put them in a bag. Invite everyone to draw out one card, and take it home to pray for that person each day next week.

Jump to Send out for prayers and other Live in faith ideas

Keep a record of invitations you receive, your response, and times when you feel left out this week. Consider how you might avoid making others feel left out or rejected.