Lost Things: The Heart of the Father

INTRODUCTION (3 min)

God’s heart is passionately committed to seeking and saving the lost.

Opening Scriptures:

Luke 19:10 ESV

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

1 Timothy 2:3–4 ESV

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Opening Illustration:

Share about losing our customs declaration for the Dominican Republic as they were about to close the boarding doors at Jet Blue… I was desperately searching for that piece of paper… stressful.

Bridge: “Today, we’ll see how much more passionately God searches for lost people.”

THE LOST COIN: Something Valuable

(5 min)

Context & Reading:

Luke 15:8–10 ESV

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Supporting Scriptures:

Psalm 139:13–14 — “You are fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Psalm 139:13–14 ESV

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV

for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Practical Applications:

See every person’s value, no matter how spiritually lost or disconnected they appear.

Reach out intentionally to those overlooked or forgotten.

Key Takeaway:

God treasures every lost soul. We must search with urgency and compassion.

THE LOST SHEEP: Something Cared For

(5 min)

Context & Reading:

Luke 15:3–7 ESV

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Supporting Scriptures:

Isaiah 53:6 ESV

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

John 10:11 ESV

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Practical Applications:

Recognize and lovingly pursue those who have drifted from fellowship.

Help carry burdens rather than place blame.

Key Takeaway:

God actively pursues those who wander, and so should we.

THE LOST SON: A Wholehearted Return

(8 min)

Context & Reading: (Summarize verses 11–16, read aloud verses 17–24)

Luke 15:11–24 ESV

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

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“When he came to his senses…he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…ran to him, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:17–20 NIV)

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Luke 15:11–24 ESV

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Supporting Scriptures:

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Practical Applications:

Reflect grace toward those returning from mistakes, rebellion, or sin.

If you’re waiting for a prodigal child, trust the spiritual foundations you’ve set.

Special Encouragement to Parents:

Remind parents that the prodigal “came to his senses” away from home. Trust the lessons you’ve taught your children (Proverbs 22:6), and trust God’s timing.

Personal Sharing: (Briefly mention our personal story of estrangement.)

Key Takeaway:

God joyfully restores prodigals who come home humbly. Keep waiting, hoping, and praying.

THE OLDER BROTHER: Close Yet Distant

(6 min)

Context & Reading:

Luke 15:25–32 ESV

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in… ‘My son,’ the father said, ’you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate…” (Luke 15:28–32 NIV)

Supporting Scriptures:

Matthew 23:27–28 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Practical Applications:

Beware of becoming spiritually prideful or resentful.

Rejoice sincerely when others receive grace, even if you think they don’t deserve it.

Key Takeaway:

We can be near God’s house yet miss God’s heart—guard against bitterness and judgment.

EMULATING THE FATHER’S HEART

(5 min)

Challenge: How can we practically live out the Father’s heart?

See People Through God’s Eyes

Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Value every soul around you.

Actively Pursue the Lost

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””

Intentionally reach out to those missing or drifting.

Offer Grace, Not Judgment

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Forgive, embrace, and restore people without conditions.

Celebrate Spiritual Victories

Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

Rejoice when others come to faith or return to fellowship.

Patiently Trust God’s Timing

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Wait faithfully, trust God’s work in unseen places and hearts.

Reflection Questions:

(for personal or group discussion)

Which “lost thing” best describes where you are spiritually today—coin, sheep, son, or older brother?

Who in your life needs you to actively pursue them with love and grace this week?

How can you guard your heart from becoming like the older brother—resentful or judgmental?

Parents: Are you trusting God’s timing and the lessons you’ve planted in your children? How can you grow your trust and patience?

CLOSING SCRIPTURE & PRAYER (3 min)

Luke 15:32 ESV

It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

Closing Prayer:

“Father, transform our hearts to mirror yours. Help us to value people deeply, pursue them actively, forgive completely, celebrate joyfully, and wait patiently. Comfort parents of prodigals, soften older-brother hearts, and give us a renewed passion for the lost. We pray this in Jesus’ powerful name. Amen.”