Look Closer, Part 13: The Parable of the Lost Sheep

The Bible says we are .

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

Luke 15:1-7
       “Now, the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him. 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. Does he not 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 and  ⁶ 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.”

We are the and Jesus Christ is the .

The Heart of a Finding God

1. The heart of the shepherd is a heart that .

He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. – Isaiah 40:11

2. The heart of the shepherd is a heart that .

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…” – John 10:14

3. The heart of the shepherd is a heart that .

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
– John 10:11

4. The heart of the shepherd is a heart that .

“For this is what the Sovereign says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all they places they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” – Ezekiel 34:11-12

5. The heart of the shepherd is a heart that .

And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. – Luke 15:5

6. The heart of the shepherd is a heart that celebrates a .

“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me: I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.” – Luke 15:6-7

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever been physically lost? Share how that felt and how you were found.
2. Read the parable out loud. What does God reveal to you about his heart?
3. Is there anything about the shepherd’s response to the “lost one” that surprises you?
4. Go back to the moment when Jesus found you. What do you remember about that moment?
5. Take some time and pray for the “lost ones” in your life? How can you show them Jesus this week?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?