God as Father

Opening question (Optional)
- What is the Most valuable/ important item that you have ever lost?

Read Luke 15:1–32 (have a different person read each of the three parables)

• Parable 1: The Lost Sheep (vv. 3–7)

• Parable 2: The Lost Coin (vv. 8–10)

• Parable 3: The Lost Son (vv. 11–32)

Discussion Questions:

1. What do these parables show about God’s character?

2. What do these parables (in particular the lost son) show about the kind of ‘lostness’ that sin creates?

3. How do the instances of celebration in these parables highlight the significance of repentance?

4. Jesus tells these parables in response to the pharisee’s outrage about Jesus calling sinners to repentance, How does the Older brother in the story rebuke the attitude of the pharisees?

5. When do you find yourselves viewing sinners with disdain or indifference rather than desiring that they find relationship with God?

6. What does this teach us about God’s grace versus human effort?

7. How do these parables challenge the idea that people have to “clean themselves up” before coming to God?

Application

8. How can you intentionally reflect on the reality that you were once lost and now you are found?

9. How should God’s heart for the lost shape our priorities as individuals and as a church?

10. How can we cultivate the Father’s joy in welcoming outsiders and celebrating repentance?

Pray in Response.