Introduction

Of Christ’s 55 CLEAR parables, the majority are about grace!

Let’s focus on one: Luke 15:1–32

Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So He told them this parable, (SINGULAR) saying,

4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Theme?

8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Theme?

11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.

13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’

28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

So What?!

What I learn about grace from this parable:

1. God loves to rejoice with me!

2. God rejoices when I return because:

• Repentance means I come to my senses.

• Confession means I come clean.

• Faith in Jesus means I come home.

3.God wants, not a sheep, nor a coin nor a slave,

but you as His child!

Bible Study Questions

Luke 15:1-32, May 26 & 29, 2022

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: Did you ever lose something significant as a child, your bike was stolen or something else significant? How did you respond and did your parents get involved?

Read out loud: Luke 15:1-32

What I learn about grace from this parable:

1. God loves to rejoice with me! Did you notice how in each of the three stories the lead character rejoices? Yet in comparison, there’s more rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents. If we’re trying to become like Jesus we have to ask ourselves, “Do I love sinners as deeply and compassionately as Jesus loves sinners?” How do you feel about the statement, “Love the sinner and hate the sin?” Is there someone in your life right now that you’ve adopted to love because they’re a sinner? Is our inclination more, “Hate the sin and distance yourself from the sinner.”

2. God rejoices when I return because:

• Repentance means I come to my senses. Do you think of repentance as a one time event that occurs when you accept Christ or as an ongoing lifestyle for spiritual growth? Why did God make repentance helpful to us for spiritual growth? What are the benefits of repentance?

• Confession means I come clean. Do you ever take time on some kind of regular basis to confess your sin to God and ask for His forgiveness? Do you experience a sense of freedom from guilt that God wants you to experience?

• Faith in Jesus means I come home. Did you grow up in a family where your mom and dad welcomed each other, and their children, when they arrived home? What positive or negative impression did that make on you?

3. God wants, not a sheep, nor a coin nor a slave, but you as His child!

Review the ways a sheep was valuable to a shepherd. Discuss what did the coin meant to the woman. Finally how does a father feel about his son?

Family Time: Take a $20.00 bill and hide it somewhere in your home. Read Luke 15:8-10 about the lost coin to your kids. Tell them that you’ll take them to get ice cream, or whatever their favorite is, if they can find enough money in the house to pay for it. The SEARCH is ON!!!!