Luke 15:1–7 (NLT) — 1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
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Small Group Guide
QUICK REVIEW: Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s message, what part of the message had your name on it? What encouraged you? What challenged you?
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Have you ever misplaced or lost something of great value? How did that make you feel? How did you react?
LET’S GO DEEPER
1) Read Luke 15:1-7. What question was Jesus answering by telling the story of the lost sheep? What point did Jesus make by telling this story?
2) What does this story reveal about us? Why do you think we are compared to sheep? What does Isaiah 53:6 say that we all have in common?
3) What does this parable reveal about the heart of God? According to Romans 5:8-10, how has God demonstrated His love for us?
4) In this parable, Jesus is portrayed as the seeking Shepherd. How does John 10:11-13 describe Jesus as our Shepherd?
5) According to verse 7, what happens when a lost sheep is found and brought home? What does this say about how God feels about us?
6) Can you think of someone who needs to be found by Jesus? If you are comfortable sharing the names or initials of the person God brought to your mind, tell your group who came to mind. Then, take a few minutes to pray for the salvation of each person mentioned.
TAKE IT HOME
1) What is your biggest takeaway from this message and study?
2) Do you have any prayer requests for your group?