God is on a rescue mission to seek and save the lost. And He has commissioned believers to help fulfill this Divine operation. But many are so preoccupied with service to God that we forget our mission for God. Our attitudes toward the lost begin to contradict God’s action for the lost.
Open: Have you ever lost something that you desperately needed? Describe the details: Did you find it? If you did, what was your reaction?
Read: Luke 15; 2 Corinthians 5; Jude
Discuss:
1. Jesus was sitting with two different groups at the beginning of Luke 15. Who were these two groups? What were the differences between these two groups? What made this a unique situation for Jesus? Who comes to your mind personally when you consider these two groups?
2. Jesus responds with a parable. The first one is a story of a shepherd who finds the lost sheep. What characteristics relate to God’s attitude toward the lost? How does this parable relate to your salvation experience? What surprises you most about this story?
3. The second story, the woman who loses a coin, is much like the first except for a few details. Which details create a twist in the story? How does this passage relate to the attitude and work of the church? How do we see God’s invitation to join in His work to find those who are lost? Describe your role as an ambassador?
4. The third story is a story focusing on 3 different characters. What is unique about each character? How do we relate to the two sons? Describe the context of the son squandering his father’s money: Why would this be a big deal in the culture of the day?
5. How do you see the “older brother” in many Christians today? In what ways do we forget our identity as it comes to sharing the gospel? How can business in serving cause us to miss God’s mission to rescue the lost? What areas do you need to change to become more faithful to gospel proclamation?
Pray: Pray for the “one” that God is calling you to help “find.” Pray that you will have boldness to share your story and they will be receptive to the gospel.
Memorize/Meditate: And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23
