GROUP LEADERS: Take a minute to brag on the people in the group that brought guests with them on Easter. Celebrate that! That was a huge step for your group members to take, and for many that would have been uncomfortable and a little risky. Let them know you're proud of them and that what they did could change that person's life. WOO HOO!!
Also, remind your groups members to follow up with the people that came. Don't let Easter be a one-hit-wonder. If they came last week, chances are they'll come again if reminded and asked. Be bold!!
Finally, take time to pray for those that came last week. Pray for their salvation, that God would work on their heart, and that they would find a church home to get plugged into.
Summary: Jesus made it clear what one of his purposes was to seek and save the lost. With a simple story combined with the powerful message of Easter, Jesus illustrated how much people mean to God and what He was willing to do to have a relationship with you.
Text: Luke 15:1-7
1. Be honest, what would your response have been as a shepherd in this story?
a. After a long day of work, you're tired, hungry, and just want to take a break. After a count, you realize that one of your sheep is gone. That means more work for you. That one sheep that you've had to pursue countless times has wandered off again. What are your feelings going back out into the darkness? Are you frustrated? Thinking about leaving the sheep out there and maybe trying again later? Tired of the sheep disobeying you time after time? Do you even go out after it?
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
b. After an intense search, you find the sheep. How do you respond? What do you say? (hint: If you're a parent, how have you responded to your kids after they disobey countless times? If you own a dog and it runs away from you, what do you do when you finally chase it down after yelling for it to stop and it won't obey?)
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
c. When you finally get back home, after the long day of work, after the long tiring search, after the long walk back home, how do you respond? What is your attitude towards the newly found sheep?
Now, contrast that with how the Good Shepherd responded.
2. After reading this story and realizing that YOU are the lost sheep and that God sent Jesus out to find you, what is your response? How should your life be lived in response to what God has done for you?
3. Scripture says that there is more joy in heaven over 1 person that is found than the other 99 that are already following Jesus. Does that surprise you? What does that say about how God views people that are far from Him?
Now, contrast that with how YOU respond to the lost people of the world.
Do you care about people that are far from God? Do you search for them? Do you call them to Jesus? Do you work hard, are you willing to be tired in your pursuit of them? Do you lose sleep over their lostness? Are you willing to get involved and serve on a weekly basis in the local church so that more people can be found?
4. Read Mark 2:17. What did Jesus say his purpose was? As followers of Jesus, what should our focus be on? Why do you think you have been placed in your sphere of influence? In your job, in your social circles, for your family and friends? What do you need to do to live up to the calling that God has put on your life as a Christian to reach people that are far from God?
ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:
a. What lost friend do you need to reach out to this week?
b. What area of the local church do you need to get plugged in to and volunteer so that you can reach more people?
c. Who do you need to follow up with this week (people you invited that said they might come but didn't attend, and friends of yours that did attend).
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