What makes someone worthy? Have you ever wondered that? What makes someone worthy of the situation they find themselves in? What makes someone worthy of high degrees of responsibility or leadership? What makes someone worthy of recognition or acclaim?
For someone who has been exposed to the things of God, it’s common to ask, what makes someone worthy of the blessings of God?
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 22 that speaks to this question. The answer is that they have responded to the invitation of the King. Metaphorically, this parable teaches that, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” And those that are chosen are worthy.
Contrary to what our culture tells us, what makes someone worthy is not their accomplishments, their position, or the acclaim. The ultimate answer to this question is not found in what someone does, but by the grace of the King of the universe.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
The good that we do is an outflow of our worthiness, given to us by the grace of God through faith in Him. It is not the other way around. We do not do good works to earn His grace or to prove our worth.
We ought to be careful to understand that worthiness comes out of a gift that has been given by God. And that He is the only King able to assign us worth. He did that when He created all of us. Let us seek to find our worth in nothing less than this.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
- Babies & Toddlers: Jesus invites everyone to live with Him forever.
- Younger Preschool: Heaven is like a great wedding feast, and Jesus invites everyone to come. Jesus makes a place for people who say yes to His invitation, and they can be with Him forever.
- Older Preschool: Heaven is like a great wedding feast, and Jesus invites everyone to come. Jesus makes a place for people who say yes to His invitation, and they can be with Him forever.
- Kids: Jesus invites us to join Him in heaven—the great wedding feast. When we receive His invitation, Jesus gets us ready by clothing us in His righteousness. Salvation is a free gift for everyone who trusts in Christ.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Younger Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God.
- Older Preschool: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom.
- Kids: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus taught about God and His kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Babies & Toddlers: Lord, You are great and powerful. 1 Chronicles 29:11
- Younger Preschool: Lord, You are great and powerful. Everything belongs to You.1 Chronicles 29:11
- Older Preschool: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory … for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:11
- Kids: Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11
** Next week: Jesus Knew He Would Be Rejected (Luke 13)