Family Dinner Videos & Discussion Guides

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"Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself." Revelation 19:7

"...The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come! So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them. The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:1-14

The underlying truth of this Family Dinner series is that one’s presence at the dinner table means they are a part of the family. God wants everyone to be His child, but having a relationship with God requires one to believe in His Son. Revelation 19:7 reveals that the Lord Jesus has planned a great feast for His bride (all who have trusted in Him for eternal life). This celebration will wed all believers to Jesus for all eternity. But today’s reading from Matthew 22:1-14 serves as a warning that everyone will not be welcome at the Lord’s feast. Jesus extends the invitation to believe in Him to all, but only those who have put their faith in Jesus can attend the wedding banquet. This is why it is so important that we tell the world about Jesus.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FEAST

1. Recognize the signs.

"So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42

"Look, I am coming soon!" Revelation 22:7

Discussion: Are you anxiously awaiting the Lord’s return? Are you ready to meet Him?

2. Respond to the invitation.

"… ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’" Luke 14:17-20

"...rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." Luke 10:20

Discussion: Have you been making excuses concerning decisions God is asking you to make?

3. Reach out to invite others.

"Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests." Matthew 22:9-10

Discussion: Why did the master tell his servants to invite everyone, good and bad alike?

4. Rejoice in Jesus.

"She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.' And he added, 'These are true words that come from God.'" Revelation 19:8-9

Discussion: Have you thought recently about the blessings you have because you know Jesus?

Application: Pray and ask God who He would have you tell about Jesus.

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"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 'But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began." Luke 15:20-24

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." Ephesians 5:1

As the praise song by Chris Tomlin says, “[God] is a good, good Father. That’s who He is. That’s who He is.” As Christians, we have the blessing of knowing that our Heavenly Father is not just good, but that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Our loving Heavenly Father supplies our needs, protects us in danger, and disciplines us when we need it. Today’s message uses the parable of “The Good Samaritan” to show us that God is our example of how we are to love our children.

MY GOOD FATHER...

1. NEVER QUITS ON HIS KIDS

"And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming."

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Discussion: Think about the peace we have because of God’s never-ending love.

2. IS NOT AFRAID TO SHOW LOVE TO HIS CHILDREN

"…he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him."

Discussion: Are you intentional about showing love to your children?

3. LOVES BEYOND HIS CHILD'S PERFORMANCE

"…‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’"

Discussion: Does your love depend on performance? Describe God’s unconditional love.

4. CELEBRATES THE GIFT OF HIS CHILDREN

"…Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast…"

Discussion: How do you celebrate the family God has given you?

5. EXTRAVAGANTLY SACRIFICES FOR HIS KIDS.

"So the party began."

"Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Ephesians 5:2

Discussion: Are you willing to make sacrifices to love like your Heavenly Father loves?

Application: Spend a few minutes meditating on the Father’s love for you.

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"Look! I Stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." Revelation 3:20

In the second part of our Family Dinner series, Pastor Beau speaks to the need that everyone has to have friends. God did not create us to be alone. He is a relational God, and we are created in His image. And yet the world today, and especially the post-Covid environment, tends to emphasize separation. Today’s message reveals from God’s Word why we all need friends, and it explains how we can develop healthy and lasting friendships that not only enrich our lives but also support our mission to communicate God’s love.

WHY I NEED A FRIEND:

1. I NEED SOMEONE WHO GETS ME

"He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It will be counted a curse to him." Proverbs 27:14

Discussion: What does it mean to have someone “get” you? Why is this important?

2. I NEED SOMEONE WHO CHALLENGES ME

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

"Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." Proverbs 27:6

Discussion: Do you have people who are free to speak truth to you even when it hurts?

3. I NEED SOMEONE WHO STANDS WITH ME

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer…" Ecclesiastes 4:12

Discussion: Why do we often choose to go through it alone? What are the consequences?

4. I NEED SOMEONE WHO IS THERE FOR ME

"A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

Discussion: Talk about the benefits of a faithful friend.

HOW I CAN FIND A FRIEND:

1. DISCOVER THE FRIEND I HAVE IN GOD

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:12-13

Discussion: What is so special about brothers and sisters that share your faith in Christ?

2. FOCUS ON BEING A FRIEND

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Discussion: Why does true friendship cost? Why is it worth the cost?

3. CHOOSE TO LOOK BEYOND DIFFERENCES THAT DIVIDE

"For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us." Ephesians 2:14

Discussion: Why does God make us so different and then tell us to be one?

4. LET FORGIVENESS RULE THAT RELATIONSHIP

"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Discussion: Why is forgiveness so vital to transformational relationships? 

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"Look! I Stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." Revelation 3:20

In Jewish culture and in Scripture in general, eating together is synonymous with fellowship. The Bible is full of references to this, regarding both one’s connection to God and one’s connection with other believers. We are calling this series Family Dinner because it uses the family meal as a metaphor for Christian fellowship. In today’s message, the emphasis is on the blessing and joy that every believer has through their fellowship with Jesus.

5 REASONS TO REJOICE OVER DINNER WITH JESUS:

1. HIS PRESENCE MEANS HE ACCEPTS ME AS I AM

"Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, 'Why does he eat with such scum?'” Mark 2:15-16

Discussion: There is joy in knowing Jesus accepts me even though He knows everything about me.

2. HIS PRESENCE MEANS I DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you..." Isaiah 41:10

""That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?" Matthew 6:25-26

Discussion: How does knowing you have God’s protection affect what you do?

3. HIS PRESENCE MEANS I ALREADY HAVE EVERYTHING I COULD EVER NEED

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." Psalm 23:1

"You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich..." Revelation 3:17-18

Discussion: Why do we, like the people in the church in Laodicea, think wealth is all we need?

4. HIS PRESENCE MEANS EVERYTHING WILL WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

Discussion: Describe the peace in knowing that God is working everything out for my good.

5. HIS PRESENCE MEANS I AM LOVED BEYOND MEASURE

"Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:17-19

Discussion: Do you experience (or rest in) God’s love every day?

Application: List four areas of life where you have peace because you know God.