INTRODUCTION

As you read through the accounts of Jesus' life you can't escape this simple but often overlooked question, Why would Jesus spend so much time with people who were clearly not God-fearing to the neglect of those who considered themselves more religious? As we explore Luke 15 to find the answer to this question, we'll uncover the driving force behind our church's past, present and future direction.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is something of value that you lost? What were the emotions you felt when you realized you had lost it? How long did you look for it?
2. Read Luke 15:1-2. Jesus spent most of His time in the company of sinners and tax collectors--those who were relationally lost from their Heavenly Father. How often do you spend time with those who are disconnected from God? How could you spend more time around those who are lost?
3. Read Luke 15:3-7. In this parable the shepherd focused on what was lost and not on what was secure. How can you keep your focus on those who are disconnected from God instead of those already in relationship with Him?
4. Read Luke 15:8-10. In this parable the woman searched until she found what had been lost. How big a priority is it for you to connect people with God? To what lengths are you willing to go in order to help someone find a relationship with God?
5. Read Luke 15:11-32. In this parable the father held nothing back in the celebration of the return of his lost son. Why was the older brother angry with his father? How did the older brother reflect the heart of the Pharisees (v. 2)?
6. Read Luke 19:10. Should our focus be any different from Jesus' while He was on the earth? Should our church's focus be any different from Jesus' while He was on the earth? Why?
7. Who do you know that is disconnected from God? How will you engage with them this year for the purpose of introducing them to their Heavenly Father?

THINK ABOUT IT

The value of the lost object determines the time we give to searching for it, the energy we give to searching for it, and the price we are willing to pay to retrieve it. How much does God value those who are disconnected from Him? How much do you value those who are disconnected from Him? How much time are you willing to spend? How much energy are you willing to invest? What is the price you will pay?

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Commit to pray for one disconnected person every day this year. Pray that God would open up opportunities for you to be a part of his or her life and for the opportunity to talk about your faith.

CHANGING YOUR MIND

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10