The Parable of the Lost and Found

The Parable of the Lost and Found

Opening Questions:

Have you ever lost something that was very important to you? How did you feel during the time you were looking for it? What efforts did you take to find it? If your search was successful how did you feel once you found it?

Brenda Caunter's missing wedding ring ← http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc80dn3LZq4 →

Today we are going to read about two people that lost something that was precious to them in a few parable Jesus told. In the stories we will get to see God's heart for us and how much he truly loves us.

Body:

Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

• Who were the Pharisees, Tax Collectors and Sinners?

1. Pharisees and teachers of the law (self righteous religious leaders of the day).
2. Tax Collectors (Dishonest and corrupt).
3. "Sinners" (non-pharisees who did not follow Jewish law).

• What do you think about the way the Pharisees and teachers reacted towards Jesus association with the Tax Collectors and "Sinners".

1. They thought they were better than them.
2. They looked down on Jesus because of his association with them.

• Who does the sheep and the lost coin represent in the parable?

1. All of us. We are all lost and in need of a shepherd.

• How persistent were the owner of the sheep and the woman in finding what they lost?

1. Completely focused.
2. They did not stop searching until they found what was lost.

• How did they react once they found what they lost?

1. Full of joy.
2. Called friends and neighbors to celebrate.

• These parables gives us a glimpse into God's heart on how he feels when we are lost or go astray. What do you notice about God's heart in these parables?

1. A God who longs to have a personal relationship with every person in this world.
2. A God who is obsessed with finding every lost person.
3. A God who rejoices over a person who turns towards him.
4. A God who is compassionate
5. A God who values each of us and views us as significant (leaving the 99 for the 1).

• The religious establishment (Pharisees & Teachers) called people to conform to their traditions and practices and rejected/excluded those who did not. What do you think Jesus called people to?

1. He called people to a relationship with him.

• God meets us where we are at.
• He wants our hearts – a heart that is obedient to him but not self righteous. Humble!

Jesus shows us a God who goes all out to find us and have a relationship with us. Yet, we can be reluctant to give our hearts completely to him.

• What are some things that stop us from giving our hearts completely to God?

1. Busy schedule (share about work/school)
2. Religious traditions (share about not just becoming religious)
3. Not wanting to change our sinful ways (Share about pride, ,selfishness, rebelliousness...etc)

Closing:

• Where are you at today? Are you a lost sheep or maybe one that has gone astray a bit?

Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

• God is relentlessly searching for us and does not want anyone to go astray. God longs to rejoice with us when we turn our hearts towards him and repent.

• What do you need to repent of today? Are you willing to repent and give your heart completely over to God?