Bible Study “Welcome to the Wedding Banquet”
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
Epiphany is shimmering glimpses of the abundance of the Kingdom of God. Perhaps you, too, noticed a star and followed it. Or maybe someone led us to the gift of faith. Now we take the Light – the Good News – out into the world. Will others see the light shimmering in us? Will they risk taking a journey into faith with us?
Jesus begins his ministry not behind a pulpit, but at a party: a wedding banquet, the most extravagant celebration a village could contain. "They feast upon the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of your delight." (Psalm 36:8) And the best wine is saved for the last.
Have you ever been invited to a wedding? If so, how would you describe it and the party after the wedding. If not, what would you say happens at a wedding and at the party held after the wedding?
A wedding in Jesus' time, was the occasion of a celebration that could go on for days. And anyone who could put on a party like this would have a batch of servants, including, a wine steward who would keep the wine flowing.
Opening Prayer: Joyous God, we thank you that parties are a part of your plan. Amen
Please open your Bibles to John 2:1-11 and read or read the scriptures below.
John 2:1-11
Jesus Changes Water Into Wine
2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
- How do you hear this story?
- What do you think the person that wrote this would say to us today?
- What word or phrase stands out to you when you read this?
Reflection Questions:
- Who states the fact that the lesser quality wine being served was running out? (Mary)
- What did she do about it? (She brought it to Jesus' attention and then waited to see what he would do about it. Meanwhile she told the servants (who also knew about the wine running out) to do as Jesus told them.)
- What did Jesus do about it? (It appears that at first he thought he was not to do anything, but changed his mind and told the servants to fill the 6 big jars with water.)
- What did the servants do about it? (They filled the jars to the brim – with water)
- Why was the wine steward so surprised to taste such good wine so late in the party? (Verse 10)
If Jesus’ ministry (and ours) is about changed hearts and minds, what is the message from this story? (Could it be that our inclination is to share the things of lesser quality with others saving the best for later or ourselves, while God’s hope would be for us to share the best of what we have with others first and foremost?)
Think about a couple you are fond of who are married. It could be your parents, a teacher, a member of the congregation, or even grandparents. In The Red Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book (page 287) is the marriage prayer. Think about the couple as you say this prayer.
Gracious God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ into the world to reveal your love to all people. Enrich ___________ and _______________ with every good gift, that their life together may show forth your love; and grant that at the last we may all celebrate with Christ the marriage feast that has no end; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Click here for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on the words or url)
Miracle performed by Jesus! The Life of Jesus #4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25ZpyamvIhs
Overview: John 1-12 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8
Activities
Create a Stone Jar - make a “jar” to remember the jars in the story and what the miracle meant. You can us lumps of air-drying clay or modeling dough (recipe below). Make the jars like the ones in the story. You can make them any shape but try to form the clay in some form of a cup or vessel like the wine jugs described. If you have time, decorate the clay jar with jewels, markers, or paint.
Materials to make the basic modeling dough:
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup iodized salt
- 1¾ cups warm water
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and knead for 10 minutes.
Scribble Art – you need paper and markers. Scribble circles all over the paper. Then take a red marker and fill in some of the scribbling circles to form the words “I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” Then hang your beautiful art work on the wall.
Crossword Puzzle: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine - https://sermons4kids.com/water_into_wine_crossword.htm?fromSermonId=250
Word Search: https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/3197182/welcome-to-the-wedding-banquet/
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for weddings and parties and all the celebrations in our lives. Help us to share the best of what we have with others. Amen.
