Listen in Community
Small Group Study
Overview
After Jesus established His authority through miraculous healings and wise teachings, you might think that everyone would embrace Jesus as Messiah—the Anointed One. As we will see in this session, not everyone did. But for those who were open, He would now reveal himself as Redeemer—the one who came to seek and save the lost.
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Engage
QUESTION When you were a kid, did you ever pack a bag with the intention of running away from home? How far did you make it? What happened?
Today we’ll explore a series of Jesus’ parables about lost things: a sheep, a coin, and a son. Some of these items were misplaced and others ran away. All of these items were valuable enough that their owners looked for them. We’ll see how Jesus used these stories to remind His listeners that they—and we—are valuable to Him too.
Watch
As we watch this video, consider this question:
QUESTION What does God’s grace mean to you?
Consider
We’ve all had the experience of desperately searching for lost keys, wallet, or phone (often when the misplaced item is right where we left it!). We’ve all probably experienced being lost as well. Even with all our technology, we sometimes find ourselves in unfamiliar surroundings. It’s a terrible feeling when you don’t know where you are. It can be more dangerous when you don’t realize you’re lost. Even more desperate and hopeless than being physically lost is being spiritually lost—separated from God because of sin. It’s true that God is just and mighty. He’s also our Father who wants to love us as His children. Romans 5:8 tells us that God didn’t wait around for us to recognize we were lost. Instead, God showed just how much He loved us by sending Jesus to die for you and me.
QUESTION
What would you say are characteristics of a loving father?
What the Bible Says
Jesus taught that God’s love was extended to everyone. This radical grace drew huge crowds, including notorious sinners (Luke 15:1). This made the Pharisees really angry. They were like the religious police of the day, enforcing a complex set of rules, some of which were not found in Scripture. They required people to memorize and follow the rules because they thought that keeping those rules could make the people worthy and holy.
As you might imagine, many of the Pharisees didn’t like Jesus or His inclusive message. In fact, Luke 15:2 tells us that the Pharisees complained about the company that He kept. But Jesus didn’t get defensive or even offer an explanation. Instead, He told a series of parables that formed a rock-solid defense for His actions. Through these stories, He answered some of life’s biggest questions: Does God know me personally? Does He know the details of my life? And does He care?
The Lost Sheep Read Luke 15:1–7.
The first parable Jesus told was about a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to bring home the one who was lost. The Pharisees immediately understood Jesus wasn’t just talking about a missing lamb. They were all familiar with the first words of the twenty-third Psalm, which identifies the Lord as their shepherd.
The shepherd’s search for the lost sheep shows the love and concern of God for each of us. Having a relationship with you is a top priority for God. Even with all the billions of people on the planet, God cares about you.
QUESTION Not many of us today have our own flock of sheep. Can you recall a lost item for which you launched an all-out search?
The Lost Coin Read Luke 15:8–10.
In case His audience still didn’t understand, Jesus told another story about a woman searching for a lost coin. In our culture, losing a coin means nothing. But in this woman’s case, the missing coin would have likely been equal to one day’s pay. At today’s minimum wage (and depending on where you live), that’s at least seventy-five dollars. Suddenly, you understand the search!
Both the shepherd and the woman invited others to celebrate when their lost objects were found. Jesus made it plain that heaven celebrates in the same way when even one lost person repents.
QUESTION How could we as believers or churches celebrate with others who come to relationship with Jesus?
The Lost Son Read Luke 15:11–16.
In the third parable, the younger son of a family asked for his inheritance before his father died. In that time, this action was equivalent to saying he wished his father were dead. The father knew he couldn’t force his son to stay, so the father chose to divide his property between his two sons. The younger son left home and wasted all his money on wild living. He eventually found himself broke, alone, and hungry.
QUESTION Were you like the rebellious son who had to learn things the hard way? Share about your experience.
QUESTION If you’ve had the opportunity to raise children to adulthood, can you relate to this father’s dilemma?
The Prodigal Son Returns Read Luke 15:17–24.
After assessing the situation and recognizing the consequences of his actions, the prodigal son came to his senses. He realized that by leaving home, he’d also left the blessings and protection of a father who loved him. So he devised a plan to return home and simply ask to live like one of the servants.
But his father was watching for him! His father ran to greet him and welcome him home as a son—not as a servant. Like the story of the lost sheep and the lost coin, this story also includes a grand celebration. The lost son had returned home!
In the same way, the Lord desires to restore us to our full stature as His children when we return to Him. Difficult consequences often help us come to our senses when we’re hopelessly lost. But it’s important to note that the father anticipated his son’s return and moved toward him, even before the son actually made it home. God does that for us, too!
QUESTION Looking back at your own faith journey, what evidence do you see of God the Father moving toward you, even when you were “still a long way off”?
QUESTION At the same time, we often want to save the people we love from their own tough circumstances. How do you decide when to intervene and when to allow others to face the results of their own choices?
The Older Son Read Luke 15:25–32.
Rather than celebrate his lost brother’s return, the older son viewed his father’s celebration for his brother as a slap in the face. The older brother had missed the point. As a son, he had enjoyed all the blessings of home all along. As a partner in his father’s work, he also had the chance to welcome his brother back.
Sadly, he missed the opportunity to celebrate. For those of us who stay with the Father, we should jump at the chance to celebrate as heaven does when a lost one comes home. Their homecoming should kick off a crazy, wild, excited party with laughing, shouting, and tears of joy! It’s interesting to wonder if the Pharisees and religious leaders who were just complaining about Jesus reaching out to sinful people caught the connection.
QUESTION Often, prodigals don’t fear whether God will love and forgive them. Instead, they worry about whether others in the church will love and forgive them. Discuss how you can welcome those who are trying to come home to their faith.
Reflect
God goes after all who are lost. His heart’s desire is to see you restored to Him through a relationship with Jesus. And just like the father in the story, God watches and waits for the moment you decide to return to His presence, His love, and His blessings.
When you make the decision to come home—to return to your Heavenly Father—He will run to meet you. No matter what you have done or how far you have gone, He’s there with open arms!
Listen to God
The goal of Listen is not only to gain an understanding of God’s Word, but also to pause and listen to what God our Creator might want to say to us about what we have read and shared. Be silent for a few moments and reflect on the following questions. Choose the one that most resonates with what God is saying to you now. Then complete the others during Day 1 of your devotion time this week.
Personal Reflection Questions
Record your answers to the following questions in the space provided or in your personal journal.
QUESTION In the parables about the sheep and coin, the lost object did nothing in order to be found. Instead, they were sought out. In what ways have you experienced God seeking you out?
QUESTION People sometimes have a difficult time relating to God as their Heavenly Father because their earthly father was a poor example. Whether it’s good or bad, write about how you feel your relationship with your earthly father has affected your view of your Heavenly Father.
QUESTION Look over your response above. Ask the Lord to show you any area where you may need to receive healing or truth.
If this is an especially difficult task due to a strained relationship, abandonment, or any type of current or past abuse, share your thoughts with a trusted, godly friend or mentor. Your Heavenly Father wants you to relate to Him in a healthy, personal way. His healing is available to you!
QUESTION Make a list of people you personally know who are new to faith. Brainstorm ways that you can encourage them. Maybe you can send them a card, text, or email. Invite them to grab coffee and chat. Regardless, determine to take action this week to be a good “big brother” or “big sister” and celebrate what God is doing in their lives!
Prayer Requests
Note any requests from the group and remember to pray for them during the week.
Before next time, continue to listen with the personal devotions.
Did You Know?
The father in the Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son divided his wealth between his sons. But to Jesus’ first-century audience, it likely wasn’t assumed to be an even division. Commentators note that in Bible-times, the norm was for each son to receive a portion of the inheritance, except for the firstborn son. He would instead receive a double portion (e.g., Deuteronomy 21:17). So, in the case of this parable, it’s likely that the oldest son received two-thirds of his father’s wealth and the younger squandered away one-third. Unfortunately for daughters, the sons took everything, and they usually had to find a husband to share in inheritance benefits. But if a family had no sons, daughters would receive the portions (e.g., Numbers 27:6–11).
Listen on Your Own
Listening to God is something we need to do every day. Before you begin each devotion, pray and ask God to speak to you through His Word. Record your answers to the following questions in the space provided or in your personal journal.
Day 1 Read Luke 15:11–32.
Look back over Listen in Community and complete your responses to the Personal Reflection Questions. If time permits, reread the Scripture too.
QUESTION What do you sense that God is saying to you about the kind of Father that He wants to be to you?
Listen on Your Own
Day 2 Read Romans 3:9–24. In this passage, the apostle Paul quotes from Psalm 14. He points out that all of us have turned away from God and need the atonement, or redemption, of sin offered to us through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.
QUESTION According to verse 19, why was the law given?
QUESTION How are we made right with God, according to verse 22?
QUESTION How is your Heavenly Father’s love for you expressed in this passage?
Listen on Your Own
Day 3 Read Romans 8:1–17.
Jesus’ favorite way to call on God was to use the word “Father,” and He instructed His followers to address God this way, too (Matthew 6:9). In Romans 8:15, the apostle Paul reiterates this familial relationship, asserting that God’s Spirit enables us to call Him “Abba, Father.” (Abba is an informal term for “Father” in Aramaic, a language spoken by many in Judea in the first century.)
QUESTION It’s clear God intended us to learn something about the nature of the family of God from our natural families. Read through this passage carefully, making a note each time the apostle Paul references family or family relationships.
QUESTION After going through this lesson, you must know intellectually that, as a follower of Jesus, you are a child of God. It is a simple fact. But do you believe you are a child of God?
QUESTION How should this identity affect your life? Explain.
Listen on Your Own
Day 4 Read Matthew 6:24–34.
Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. Regardless of your relationship with your earthly father, your Heavenly Father takes care of you and provides for you. He will always be there and is watching out for you. You don’t have to worry.
QUESTION What examples from nature did Jesus provide to prove God’s care for His children?
QUESTION Matthew 6:33 offers an alternative to worry. What two things did Jesus say we should do instead of worry? What are we promised in return?
QUESTION What are the things you tend to worry about? List them below. Then, prayerfully review your list, surrendering each worry to the care of your Heavenly Father.
Listen on Your Own
Day 5 Read 1 John 3.
While this passage may seem to indicate it’s impossible to be God’s child and make a mistake, John wrote that God’s children “do not make a practice of sinning” (1 John 3:9, emphasis added). Like children who obey out of love and respect, our efforts to “do what is right” (1 John 3:7) are a way of loving our Heavenly Father as well.
QUESTION According to 1 John 3:1, what does God call you?
QUESTION What proof does the passage say we have that we are children of God (verse 14)?
QUESTION First John 3:18–19 signals that followers of Jesus should not only love one another with words, but also in actions. What are some ways you regularly show love to others? Do you feel that you could improve in this area? If so, how?
