Opening Discussion

• How has being in community with other followers of Jesus helped you in some way?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Luke 15:1-2

1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

• Why did tax collectors and sinners want to approach Jesus?
• Is the church today a place that “sinners” feel welcome to come to?
• What can our church do to be better at welcoming people, both into our church and our lives?

Luke 15:3-7

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

• Why would a shepherd leave ninety nine sheep in safety to pursue just one that had gotten lost?
• Why did the shepherd throw a party?
• What does Jesus want people to learn from this parable?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone that doesn’t know Jesus that you pray for?
• How can you show love to someone who is living in a way that doesn’t line up with the Bible?
• What area of your life do you need to turn over to the Lord?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Luke 15:1-2

1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

• Why did tax collectors and sinners want to approach Jesus?
• Why did the Pharisees complain?
• Is the church today a place that “sinners” feel welcome to come to?
• What can our church do to be better at welcoming people, both into our church and our lives?
• What is difficult about welcoming sinners?
• What does it look like to welcome people who are living in contradiction to God’s word?
• How can we show love without compromising the need for repentance?

Luke 15:3-7

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

• Why would a shepherd leave ninety nine sheep in safety to pursue just one that had gotten lost?
• Why did the shepherd throw a party?
• What does Jesus want people to learn from this parable?
• What did Jesus mean by “people who don’t need repentance?”
• How does this apply to your life right now?

Discipleship Questions

• Who is someone that doesn’t know Jesus that you pray for?
• How can you show love to someone who is living in a way that doesn’t line up with the Bible?
• What area of your life do you need to turn over to the Lord?

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for coming after us when we were lost

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His never giving up, never stopping, always and forever love

Confess to the times you’ve not welcomed sinners

Others- Pray for someone who has wandered off that you know. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to talk to them this week

Self- Ask the Lord for wisdom in helping those far from God.