We kick off a series within a series with the "Lost Trilogy" in Luke 15. No other parables fully display God's heart like these three. We're starting with the Parable of the Lost Sheep: a committed Shepherd refusing to give up on just one missing sheep. It's a beautiful picture of God's grace and a wake-up call to anyone who resents His mercy toward outsiders.

Luke 15: 1-7

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Read Luke 15:1-7. In verses 1-2, the religious leaders are angry that Jesus is eating with “sinners”. Who are the people today that the modern church might be tempted to keep at arm’s length?

2. How does the shepherd physically rescue the sheep in Luke 15:5? How does this illustrate the way Jesus steps into your life to carry you through difficult seasons or rescue you from sin?

3. Jesus states in Luke 15:7 that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people. Does this surprise you?

4. Do you naturally identify more with the wandering sheep, the seeking shepherd, or the grumbling Pharisees who struggle to accept that “undeserving” people are receiving grace?

5. Who is one person that you desperately hope will find or return to their faith? Take a moment to write down their name and pray for them.

For Families with Kids

1. Read Luke 15:1-7. If you wandered off and got lost, who would come looking for you? 

2. Does leaving the 99 sheep behind mean the shepherd didn’t care about them? Why or why not? Who are the “lost sheep” in our world today? How can we show them God’s love?

3. Who does the shepherd call together to celebrate when he gets home? What does this story tell us about how valuable each individual person is to God?

4. Who is one specific person you know who needs to experience God’s love this week? How can you pray for or encourage them? Write the name(s) down and write out a prayer to pray every day this week for that person(s).