The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Luke 15:1-7
Understand It
- Who had gathered to hear Jesus? (15:1)
- What were the Pharisees and teachers of the law doing? (15:2)
- Why were the Pharisees and teachers of the law grumbling? (15:2)
- What did Jesus do instead of directly rebuking the religious leaders? (15:3)
- What does a conscientious shepherd do when one of the flock is lost? (15:4)
- How does a shepherd bring a lost sheep home? (15:5)
- What happens when a shepherd returns to his home and flock after finding a lost sheep? (15:6)
- How does heaven react when a sinner repents? (15:7)
- What causes God to rejoice most? (15:7)
- What kind of people do not need to repent? (15:7)
Apply It
- What can you do this week to help a fellow believer who may be straying from God’s ways?
- What practical step can you take to avoid tempting situations?
The Parable of the Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10
Understand It
- In the parable, what did the woman possess? (15:8)
- How do we know that the woman lost something valuable? (15:8)
- What steps did the woman take to find her lost coin? (15:8)
- What did the woman do when she finally found the lost coin? (15:9)
- Whom did the woman call together to share the news? (15:9)
- What emotions are obvious from the woman’s statement to her friends? (15:9)
- What did the woman say to her friends? (15:9)
- Where is there rejoicing? (15:10)
- What causes angels to rejoice before God? (15:10)
- How many repenting sinners does it take to cause heavenly rejoicing? (15:10)
Apply It
- When can you thank God this week for His patience and persistence in restoring you to Him? How?
- With whom do you want to share the news of God’s persistent love? How can you?
The Parable of the Lost Son - Luke 15:11-32
Understand It
- What did the younger son ask his father to do? (15:12-13)
- What did the younger son do after arriving in the distant country? (15:13)
- How did the younger son live once he was out on his own? (15:13-20)
- Why did the younger son have to hire himself out for work? (15:14-15)
- What made the younger son decide to return home? (15:17-19)
- How did the father respond to the younger son’s return home? (15:20)
- Why did the father call for a celebration? (15:22-24)
- What was wrong with the older brother’s reaction to his brother’s return? (15:25-32)
- How did the older son respond to his brother’s return and the celebration afterward? (15:28)
- What complaints did the older brother bring to his father? (15:29-30)
- Why did the father want the older brother to be happy? (15:31-32)
Apply It
- How can you guard yourself against feeling resentment when God shows mercy to people you think don’t deserve it?
- How can you show acceptance to someone who doesn’t seem to deserve it? When?
- To what "undeserving" person can you extend God’s love and forgiveness this week? How?
