HE WAS LOST AND IS FOUND

Luke 15:1-32

Key Verse: 15:32

* THE LOST SHEEP (1-7)

1. What were the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttering about? How did this lead to Jesus' teachings in this chapter?

2. In the first parable, what was lost? How might it have become lost? What does the lost one represent? How do sinners, like sheep, become lost? (Ro 8:5,7; Eph 2:3)

3. What does the owner do about it? Why couldn't he just say, "Forget about it", and be happy with what was left? What does this teach us about the shepherd's heart?

4. When he finds the lost one, what does he do? Why? What does this teach us about God and lost sinners? (2 Pe 3:9b)

* THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN (8-10)

5. What is lost in the second parable? How is this a different kind of sinner from the lost sheep in the first parable?

6. What does the owner do and why? What is the happy conclusion? What does this parable teach us about God? About how to turn adverse situations into fruitful victory?

* THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON (11-24)

7. What did the younger son want of his father? Why? Why did the father give it to him? In gaining his freedom, what did he lose?

8. Describe the younger son's life in the godless world--at first, then later. (13-16) What does this teach us about freedom in a life of sin?

9. Read verses 17-20a. What made him come to his senses? What did he decide to do? What did he have to overcome to do this? Why was this decision such an important one? How can a sinner restore his relationship with God?

10. Read 20b-24. What was the father's attitude toward his lost son? How did he respond when he saw him coming? Why did the lost son need this expression of his father's love? What does this teach us about God?

* HE WAS LOST AND IS FOUND (25-32)

11. What was the older son's reaction? What does this show about his relationship with his father? Who does he represent? What does this parable teach us about God's love and the importance of knowing and receiving it?