** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <Sep 2, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
Leaving the Ninety-Nine
• READ: LUKE 15:1-7, JOHN 10:11-18, 1 TIMOTHY 2:4, 1 JOHN 4:7-21
One of my favorite Bible passages is Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep. I’m amazed by the idea of a God who loves His children so much that He will leave the ninety-nine to chase down one. Just picture this story for a moment and imagine what you would do if you were the shepherd. You have one hundred sheep, and you lose one. Do you choose to leave behind the rest of your flock—all ninety-nine sheep—to pursue the one who is missing?
If this were me, I don’t think I’d leave behind ninety-nine healthy sheep to chase after one sheep who may or may not still be alive. But the shepherd in Jesus’ parable goes after the lost sheep, carries it back on his shoulders, and celebrates its safe return with great joy.
This parable is Jesus’ response to the Jewish religious leaders who muttered against Him for hanging out with notorious sinners, like tax collectors (who overcharged to fill their own pockets) and prostitutes. These people were rejected by the religious community, but not by Jesus. He says, “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7).
In correcting the religious leaders, Jesus reveals the heart of God. He always wants to save people who’ve gone their own way against Him, who’ve gotten lost. God longs for everyone to repent, to turn around and come to Him. That’s why He sent Jesus—the Good Shepherd—who rescues us sinners and brings us home to God. We all need Jesus, and if we’ve put our trust in His life, death, and resurrection, all heaven rejoices that we are His forever!
And as Jesus’ forgiven followers, we get to follow Jesus’ example. Instead of shunning fellow sinners, we get to welcome those with messy, hurting hearts because Jesus longs to bring us all home. Because Jesus first loved us, we get to show overflowing grace and love to others! And when we are lost and hurting, Jesus will leave the ninety-nine to draw us back to Him and reunite us with the flock. • Becca Wierwille
• Why did Jesus hang out with people who others rejected? (Check out Mark 2:13-17.)
• How does the strength of God’s love for you make it possible for you to love those around you?
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” Luke 15:4 (NIV)
** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 <Sep 6, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
Have You Failed?
• READ: LUKE 22:31-34; 54-62; JOHN 21:15-19
When I was working at a bank, a lady came to the door. I tried to explain that the inside doors were shut but she could still go through the drive-up. She didn’t understand what I was trying to say. She left, not knowing she could’ve done what she came to the bank to do.
I felt horrible. I thought, "I should have opened the door and made sure she understood before she left! I failed."
But God still loves me when I fail. And I’m not the only one. Peter failed many times. He even denied Jesus before they hung Him on the cross. Three times Peter denied he even knew his Savior, and Jesus still took Peter back into the fold. After Jesus rose from the dead, He assured Peter that He still loved him and wanted him to do the work God set for him to do. Jesus told Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). Jesus wanted Peter to continue to show His love to others, telling people how much Jesus loves them and how He gave His life for them.
As a forgiven follower of Jesus, I want to help others understand how much He loves them. Jesus wants everyone to put their trust in Him, to come in and become part of His family, and to live and reign with Him forever. And there are so many who still haven’t come in.
Every single one of us has failed. But no matter how bad the failure, Jesus still has plans for our good (Romans 8:28). Jesus’ death and resurrection are enough to cover all our sins, and because He is so amazingly good, He can even use our failures as opportunities to show His love. When you fail, Jesus still loves you, and He still wants you. Every time you fail, Jesus wants to bring you close to Himself, reassure you of His love, and empower you to be part of the good work He is doing. • Anna M. Gregory
• What failures are you mourning right now? How does Jesus comfort us in these times?
• If you know Jesus, you are not defined by your failures. Your identity is found in Jesus and His death and resurrection. When you start believing the lie that you are defined by your failures, who are trusted Christians who can remind you of the truth?
It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. Lamentations 3:22 (WEB)
