The Loneliness of Lostness
January 30, 2005 - Matthew 18.10-14
Open It
How does it feel to be lost and have no idea where you are?
To what lengths would you go to recover: a lost piece of jewelry? a missing pocketbook or wallet? an important misplaced document? a winning lottery ticket? your missing child?
What do you believe about angels?
Explore It
How does God protect children? (18:10)
Who is especially important to God? Why? (18:10)
What command about children did Jesus give the disciples? (18:10)
What kind of guardians did Jesus suggest children have? (18:10)
To whom do angels have constant access? (18:10)
What kind of pastoral imagery did Jesus use to illustrate His point about the value of a soul? (18:12)
How did Jesus say the owner of one hundred sheep would react if just one of his sheep wandered off? (18:12)
According to Jesus, how would the owner of a lost sheep react upon finding his lost sheep? (18:13)
How did Jesus compare sheep to the way God views lost children? (18:14)
How did Jesus describe God? Why? (18:14)
Get It
How would you convince a skeptic that children have guardian angels?
Why is it important for us to teach our children about God from the time they are very little?
Why do you think children are more receptive than adults to spiritual truth?
How does it change your image of God to see Him described as a caring shepherd who searches frantically for one lost individual?
How does it change your image of God to see Him described as a compassionate Father who doesn't want to see even one person lost?
What does God's concern for each and every individual say to you about the way you treat certain people?
How do you feel knowing that God is more concerned about finding a lost person than punishing him or her?
Apply It
What "lost sheep" can you search for and try to round up this week by demonstrating the love and acceptance of Christ?
To whom do you need to show more sensitivity and attentiveness this week?
How can you become a better role model for a young person today?
Notes
Matthew 18:10: Our concern for children must match God's treatment of them. Certain angels are assigned to watch over children, and they have direct access to God. These words ring out sharply in cultures where children are taken lightly, ignored, or aborted. If their angels have constant access to God, the least we can do is to allow children to approach us easily in spite of our far too busy schedules.
Matthew 18:14: Just as a shepherd is concerned enough about one lost sheep to go search the hills for it, so God is concerned about every human being he has created (he is "not wanting anyone to perish," 2 Peter 3:9). You come in contact with children who need Christ at home, at school, in church, and in the neighborhood. Steer them toward Christ by your example, your words, and your acts of kindness.