Bible ReadingLuke 15:1-32 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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 that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 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.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
[39:14]Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."”
[57:49]2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
[51:30]Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
[44:41]Romans 10:13-15 “For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"”
[01:01:16]2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
[45:07]1 Timothy 2:3-6 “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”
[46:15]John 20:21 “Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."”
[50:21]Isaiah 6:8 “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me."”
[01:15:01]Observation questions- In Luke 15, what actions do the shepherd, the woman, and the father each take when something or someone is lost? [40:31]
- What details in the story of the lost son show the father’s welcome and restoration when the son comes home? [42:17]
- According to 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, what has God done for believers, and what has he then given and entrusted to them? [51:46]
- In Matthew 28:18-20 and Romans 10:13-15, what words or images show that mission involves being sent and going? [01:01:16]
Interpretation questions- Luke 15 shows heaven rejoicing over one sinner who repents. What does that reveal about how God sees one lost person, even when many others are already safe? [42:32]
- Scripture says Jesus came to seek and save the lost. How does that shape the purpose of the church and not just the purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry? [49:55]
- First Timothy 2:3-6 says there is one God and one mediator, Christ Jesus. Why is that both a hopeful message and a serious message for people who are searching spiritually? [46:50]
- If believers are ambassadors for Christ, what does that suggest about how they speak, live, and represent God in ordinary life? [55:07]
Application questions- Is there one person in life right now who has started to feel like “just one” instead of someone deeply loved by God? What might it look like to care about that person the way Luke 15 describes? [39:02]
- God’s love is amazing, not careless. How does that truth affect the way love is shown to people who are far from God—especially in patience, honesty, and courage? [43:47]
- Reconciled people are entrusted with the message of reconciliation. Where does there need to be more courage to speak about Jesus instead of assuming someone else will do it? [53:13]
- Mission is not only far away; it can be across the street, across the hallway, or inside a normal routine. What everyday place feels like the clearest mission field right now: home, work, school, neighborhood, or somewhere else? Why? [01:05:14]
- Beautiful feet are simply feet that bring good news. What would “going” look like in one practical step this week—an invitation, a conversation, a meal, a text, or an act of care? [01:02:35]
- Work, relationships, and routines can become platforms for pointing others to Christ. Which part of ordinary life is easiest to overlook spiritually, and how could it become more purposeful? [01:04:29]
- “Here I am, send me” is a simple but costly response. What makes that response hard right now—fear, comfort, uncertainty, past failure, or something else? What kind of sending would be possible to say yes to today? [01:15:01]
