Our Mark. His World – Wk 4

Luke 15:1-7 (NLT)

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

1. Lost.

Jesus pursues, welcomes, and forgives the repentant sinner.

2. Found.

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

3. Joy.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Call to Action: Each one, reach one.

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: The lost are found because Jesus searched for them.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Luke 15:1-7. How could it be easy to be like the religious leaders? What does it look like when we shift our attitude from being like the religious leaders to being more like Jesus?

▶ Read Ephesians 4:16. What is one “special work” you bring to the body of Christ to help it grow?

▶ Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Who is the person, or people, who helped you to receive the gift of salvation?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

God accepts us where we are and challenges us to change. Of the examples below, how is God challenging you to grow?

1. Is there a situation you want to ask Jesus to help you not give up on?

2. Is there a person you want to share God’s love with more directly?

3. Is there a deeper joy Jesus wants you to experience in relationship with Him?

4. Or is it something else?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Pray together for each person’s one person.