Lost - Sheep, Coin and Prodigal Son (Questions)

Luke 15:1-31

All these parables deal with the same thing.

As normal we start by observing the setting within which this parable was given. Who were the people around Jesus (Luke 15:1-2)? Notice how they found it offensive for Jesus to associate with sinners.

In many cultures associating with disapproved people is tantamount to accepting and approving of them. Yet it is when people perceive you genuinely care about them that they listen to you. No wonder why Jesus had so much success.

In this chapter Jesus tells three stories. Only the first one is called a parable but it is obvious that all three emphases the same point. Heaven rejoices when people come back to God (Luke 15:7).

1. Read Luke 15:1-31
   


2. Who was Jesus talking to in this parable?
   


3. What affect do you think these stories had on Jesus? audience? Would they have felt slighted, delighted, rebuked or what?
   


4. What common ingredient do we find in all these stories?
   They maybe more than one (hint verse 7, 9 and 20).
   


5. Explain how one sheep or one coin be more valuable than all the others?
   


6. If you had one hundred pounds (or dollars) and lost one would you spend valuable time looking for it?
   


7. What determines the value of an item (or person)?
   


8. What made the younger son come to his senses - his hunger or the error of his ways?
   


9. What makes people want to do the right thing?
   


10. In what ways can we rejoice when a person ?comes to the faith?? (Luke 15:7, 10).
    


11. What does it mean for - a sinner to repent?
    


12. Why do you think the older son was so miserable at his younger brothers return?
    


13. Who among the people listening to Jesus do you think could have identified themselves with the older brother? How would this have made them feel?
    


14. How can we as Christians overlook the privileges we have as children of God? (Luke 15:31) What are these privileges, mention a few of them?
    


15. Who do you think you represent in the story of the prodigal son - the younger son, the older son or none of the above?