Birthday Celebration - God's Heart for People.
1. Read Luke 15
What do you notice?
2. What is God's heart for the world?
One of the striking things about Luke 15 is that God doesn't settle for “good enough.” If you have 100 sheep and one goes missing, the answer isn't: “Well, at least I still have 99.” If you have ten coins and lose one, the answer isn't: “Nine is probably enough.”
Discuss
What do these stories tell us about how God sees people?
Why do you think Jesus was so passionate about showing that the “one” matters?
3. There is always room for one more
God’s heart is always looking for the one who is missing, so we are not simply a people who have found something good, but a people who make room for others to experience the love of God too.
Discuss
What difference does it make to know that God sees people as individually valuable?
Are there people around you who might feel overlooked, unwanted or like they don't really belong anywhere?
4. Coming home without the wheeling and dealing
Read Luke 15:17–24 again.
The son has prepared his speech. He's worked out the deal: “I'll go home. I'll admit I'm not worthy. Maybe Dad will let me work for him.” But the father doesn't negotiate. He doesn't say: “Let's see if you've really changed.” He doesn't say: “You can come back, but you'll have to prove yourself first.” He runs. He embraces him. He restores him. He celebrates.
Discuss
What do you think the son expected when he came home?
What does the father's response reveal about God's response to us when we turn back to Him?
Why is it sometimes difficult for us to simply receive God's welcome rather than trying to earn it?
5. Who needs to know this?
Jesus' stories weren't just about us receiving God's love. They challenge us to become people who make room for others to experience it.
Think of someone in your world who might need to know:
“There is a God who sees you, loves you and welcomes you home.”
6. The First Expression of Jesus
For some people, their first experience of Jesus will be us. Before they read the Bible, they might meet us. Before they come to church, they might meet us.
Discuss
If someone encountered Jesus through you, what would they experience?
What does it look like for us to embody the Father's welcome in everyday life?
7. Who Are We Making Room For?
Who is God inviting us to make room for?
People matter to God.
So people matter to us.
- Luke 15:1–7 — The Lost Sheep
- Luke 15:8–10 — The Lost Coin
- Luke 15:11–32 — The Lost Son
What do you notice?
- What do these three stories have in common?
- What do you notice about the way the lost thing/person is treated?
- What does Jesus seem to be saying about God?
- What do you notice about the celebration?
2. What is God's heart for the world?
One of the striking things about Luke 15 is that God doesn't settle for “good enough.” If you have 100 sheep and one goes missing, the answer isn't: “Well, at least I still have 99.” If you have ten coins and lose one, the answer isn't: “Nine is probably enough.”
Discuss
What do these stories tell us about how God sees people?
Why do you think Jesus was so passionate about showing that the “one” matters?
3. There is always room for one more
God’s heart is always looking for the one who is missing, so we are not simply a people who have found something good, but a people who make room for others to experience the love of God too.
Discuss
What difference does it make to know that God sees people as individually valuable?
Are there people around you who might feel overlooked, unwanted or like they don't really belong anywhere?
4. Coming home without the wheeling and dealing
Read Luke 15:17–24 again.
The son has prepared his speech. He's worked out the deal: “I'll go home. I'll admit I'm not worthy. Maybe Dad will let me work for him.” But the father doesn't negotiate. He doesn't say: “Let's see if you've really changed.” He doesn't say: “You can come back, but you'll have to prove yourself first.” He runs. He embraces him. He restores him. He celebrates.
Discuss
What do you think the son expected when he came home?
What does the father's response reveal about God's response to us when we turn back to Him?
Why is it sometimes difficult for us to simply receive God's welcome rather than trying to earn it?
5. Who needs to know this?
Jesus' stories weren't just about us receiving God's love. They challenge us to become people who make room for others to experience it.
Think of someone in your world who might need to know:
“There is a God who sees you, loves you and welcomes you home.”
- Who came to mind?
- What might make it difficult for that person to feel welcomed/
- What could you do that would help them experience belonging?
- Is there a simple next step you could take?
6. The First Expression of Jesus
For some people, their first experience of Jesus will be us. Before they read the Bible, they might meet us. Before they come to church, they might meet us.
Discuss
If someone encountered Jesus through you, what would they experience?
What does it look like for us to embody the Father's welcome in everyday life?
7. Who Are We Making Room For?
Who is God inviting us to make room for?
People matter to God.
So people matter to us.