Three Parables
Luke 15
Tax collectors and sinners came to listen to Jesus teach. The religious leaders complained because Jesus welcomed sinners, so Jesus told them three parables to teach them about God. Jesus said, “If a man has 100 sheep and loses one, what does he do? He leaves the 99 sheep in the open field and searches for the lost sheep until he finds it. Then he tells his friends, ‘Let’s celebrate! I found my lost sheep!’” Then Jesus said, “This is what heaven is like; there is more joy in heaven when one sinner repents and turns back to God than for 99 people who did not wander off.” Jesus said, “If a woman has 10 silver coins and loses one of them, what does she do? She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it! Then she tells her friends, ‘Let’s celebrate! I found my lost coin!’ ” Then Jesus said, “This is what heaven is like. There is joy in heaven when one sinner repents and turns back to God.” Finally, Jesus said, “A man had two sons. The younger son said, ‘Father, give me my inheritance today.’ So the father gave his son his share. The younger son left home. He wasted his money and lived foolishly. There was a famine, and the people there did not have enough food. The son got a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry, even the pigs’ food looked tasty. “The younger son made a plan. He would go back to his father and admit he was wrong. He would ask to work for his father like the servants.
“So the younger son headed home. He was still a long way away when his father saw him coming. His father ran to him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. The son began to apologize. ‘I have sinned against God and against you,’ he said. “But the father told his servants, ‘Let’s celebrate with a feast! Bring the best robe and put it on my son! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. This son of mine was lost, and now he is found!’ “At this time, the older son came from the fields and heard music at the house. “What’s going on?” he asked one of the servants. “‘Your brother is here,’ the servant said. ‘Your father is celebrating.’ “The older brother was angry! He refused to go to the feast. The father asked him to come inside. ‘Look!’ the older brother said. ‘I never disobeyed you! But you never threw a party for me.’ “‘Son,’ the father said, ‘everything I have is yours. We have to celebrate and be happy. Your brother was lost and is found.’”
Christ Connection: The religious leaders complained that Jesus welcomed sinners. Jesus told these parables to teach about God’s forgiveness. God sent Jesus so sinners can be forgiven. As Savior, Jesus seeks sinners. He paid the ultimate price—His own life—to save people from sin.
**This is a Lifeway Lesson**
Luke 15
Tax collectors and sinners came to listen to Jesus teach. The religious leaders complained because Jesus welcomed sinners, so Jesus told them three parables to teach them about God. Jesus said, “If a man has 100 sheep and loses one, what does he do? He leaves the 99 sheep in the open field and searches for the lost sheep until he finds it. Then he tells his friends, ‘Let’s celebrate! I found my lost sheep!’” Then Jesus said, “This is what heaven is like; there is more joy in heaven when one sinner repents and turns back to God than for 99 people who did not wander off.” Jesus said, “If a woman has 10 silver coins and loses one of them, what does she do? She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it! Then she tells her friends, ‘Let’s celebrate! I found my lost coin!’ ” Then Jesus said, “This is what heaven is like. There is joy in heaven when one sinner repents and turns back to God.” Finally, Jesus said, “A man had two sons. The younger son said, ‘Father, give me my inheritance today.’ So the father gave his son his share. The younger son left home. He wasted his money and lived foolishly. There was a famine, and the people there did not have enough food. The son got a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry, even the pigs’ food looked tasty. “The younger son made a plan. He would go back to his father and admit he was wrong. He would ask to work for his father like the servants.
“So the younger son headed home. He was still a long way away when his father saw him coming. His father ran to him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. The son began to apologize. ‘I have sinned against God and against you,’ he said. “But the father told his servants, ‘Let’s celebrate with a feast! Bring the best robe and put it on my son! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. This son of mine was lost, and now he is found!’ “At this time, the older son came from the fields and heard music at the house. “What’s going on?” he asked one of the servants. “‘Your brother is here,’ the servant said. ‘Your father is celebrating.’ “The older brother was angry! He refused to go to the feast. The father asked him to come inside. ‘Look!’ the older brother said. ‘I never disobeyed you! But you never threw a party for me.’ “‘Son,’ the father said, ‘everything I have is yours. We have to celebrate and be happy. Your brother was lost and is found.’”
Christ Connection: The religious leaders complained that Jesus welcomed sinners. Jesus told these parables to teach about God’s forgiveness. God sent Jesus so sinners can be forgiven. As Savior, Jesus seeks sinners. He paid the ultimate price—His own life—to save people from sin.
**This is a Lifeway Lesson**