Jesus expressed God’s heart for the lost.
Luke 15:3-24
Central Truth
God loved us first, before we could ever love Him back (see 1 John 4:19). He sought us before we could seek Him. Once we realize the depth of His love for us, it should motivate us to love Him in return. This looks like living in obedience to Him and telling others about Him, not just for the sake of following rules but out of gratitude. He sought us with relentless dedication, and He extended compassion to us instead of justice.
Key Question
How does Knowing God seeks you with urgency, Diligence, and compassion affect the way you love Him?
Keep in Mind
Providing students with additional information about sheep and shepherding during this time period will make this passage more meaningful. While some students may have experience in this field, many students won’t have that connection. Shepherds spent night and day with their flocks. They did this to know their sheep, giving them specific names. More importantly, they did this so that the sheep knew them—their voice, their physical appearance, and their mannerisms. In doing this, the sheep wouldn’t respond to any other voice, not even the voices of other shepherds. They were trained to listen to their one true shepherd because they trusted he would care for them.
Jesus is our one true Shepherd. He longs to spend time with us; He came here to dwell among us. We can know Him intimately, and when we do, we know His voice. We trust in His care, knowing Jesus meets all of our needs and calls for us when we stray.
APPLICATION
Why is it important to know god’s character?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: When we know God’s character, we can know how He’ll respond to us. It’s important for us to know how God feels about sin, and it’s important for us to know He is willing to seek us and welcome us back when we stray. All of Scripture points to God’s character so that we can know Him.
FOR THE LEADER: Most of us have experienced what it is like to stray away from God. But if we spend time in His Word getting to know His character, then we know God is willing to seek us out and rejoices when we return to Him.
