Luke 15:1-7
The Lost Sheep Find others to do this study with you — friends, family members or coworkers — or join an existing group. You will understand more of God and better arrange your life around God’s Word as you pursue Him with others. This week we are going to focus on the parable of the lost sheep. In his commentary on Luke, N.T. Wright gives valuable insight into the context for this story: “In the stories of the sheep and the coin, the punch line in each case depends on the Jewish belief that the two halves of God’s creation, heaven and earth, were meant to fit together and be in harmony with each other. If you discover what’s going on in heaven, you’ll discover how things were meant to be on earth. That, after all, is the point of praying that God’s kingdom will come ‘on earth as in heaven’. As far as the legal experts and Pharisees were concerned, the closest you could get to heaven was in the Temple; the Temple required strict purity from the priests; and the closest that non-priests could get to copying heaven was to maintain a similarly strict purity in every aspect of life. But now Jesus was declaring that heaven was having a great, noisy party every time a single sinner saw the light and began to follow God’s way. If earth-dwellers wanted to copy the life of heaven, they’d have a party, too. That’s what Jesus was doing.” As you focus on this parable together, consider what Jesus was teaching us about His Kingdom.
Share Your Story Scripture says that no one seeks God (Romans 3:11). He came for us and pursues us. If you are a believer, think about how you came to Christ. Looking back, how can you see Him drawing you? Whom did He use in your life to show His love to you?
WATCH THE VIDEO
NorthlandChurch.net/ParablesOfJesus Afterward have someone read the discussion questions in the “Hear God’s Story” section and start the conversation.
Welcome
Hear God’s Story READ LUKE 15:1-7 Read the passage together, and discuss the following questions, paying particular attention to the context and author’s intent. • Picture the scene in which Jesus shared this parable. The sinners and tax collectors seem to be lined up on one side, and the scribes and Pharisees on the other, reminiscent of a showdown. The New International Version says the Pharisees “muttered.” Why would it be an affront to them for Jesus to welcome tax collectors and sinners? Who are the sinners outside the acceptable boundaries that you don’t think Jesus should be hanging out with? • In the parable, the finding of the sheep results in a shared celebration with friends and neighbors. When Jesus explains the parable, what does He say is the source of the celebration? How does this parable take the view of God’s welcoming sinners to a whole new level? • There is an interesting phrase in verse 7, “who need no repentance” (NASB). That could be interpreted as someone who keeps the law perfectly and doesn’t need to repent, or it could be interpreted as someone who is so religious he doesn’t realize he needs repentance. Based on the context, which do you think is correct?
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The Parables of Jesus
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The Lost Sheep
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Find Your Story in God’s Story Now talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve obtained from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned. • If you had been present for the original telling of this story, which side would you have been on? Based on that, what does this parable teach you about your relationship with God? To whom do you need to extend God’s love and grace this week? • What does it say to you about God that He is willing to leave the 99 to rescue the one? How have you experienced the extent of God’s love for you? What will you do with this new understanding of how much He cares about the lost? • How do you relate to the Pharisees in this parable? Whom have you been unwilling to welcome or pursue? Ask God to show you what you could do this week to show them God’s love and grace.
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