The Parable Of The Lost Sheep Bible Study-Luke Chapter 15

Free printable Bible Study on the Parable of The Lost Sheep, the woman who lost one piece of silver, and the prodigal son is suitable for use in individual, group, or church bible studies.

Baby lamb. Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

The Parable of The Lost Sheep is a story Jesus told to demonstrate how important a lost soul is to the Lord. Shepherds keep watch over their flock and one has gone astray the good Shepherd looks for the lost sheep until he finds it. The Parable of the Lost Silver and The Prodigal Son emphasize this point.
Parable of The Lost Sheep
Everyone came close to hear Jesus teach, both publicans and sinners alike.

• Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. Luke 15:1

The Pharisees and scribes who were always seeking to find fault with Jesus Christ's teachings came to listen too, murmuring among themselves, secretly judging Christ because He received and ate with sinners.

• And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Luke 15:2

Jesus Tells the Parable of The Lost Sheep
​As the Pharisees and scribes sat murmuring to one another secretly judging Christ because he received and ate with sinners. Christ knew they were listening and taught the parable of the lost sheep where a shepherd who had a hundred sheep lost one of them in the wilderness. The man left the 99 remaining sheep to go search for the one missing sheep. When he found the sheep he gathered his friends and neighbors asking them to rejoice because he found his missing sheep. ​Jesus compares this to the joy felt in heaven every time one sinner repents and states that this joy is greater for the lost one than for those who were not in need of repentance.

• And he spake this parable unto them, saying, Luke 15:3
• What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:4
• And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Luke 15:5
• And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. Luke 15:6
• I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7

Lost Silver Piece
Jesus made another comparison to make His meaning clearer to those who were listening. He told of a woman who had ten pieces of silver, she lost one piece, and lights a candle, sweeping her house until she finds it. When she finds it she calls her friends and neighbors together asking them to rejoice with her because she found the lost piece of silver. Jesus explains the meaning when He says that God's angels would be joyful when a lost sinner repents of their sins.

• Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? Luke 15:8
• And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Luke 15:9
• Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:10

The Prodigal Son
Jesus told the story of the prodigal son which also held the same meaning as the two previous parables. This man had two sons, the younger son asked for his inheritance, then went away and squandered it until he had nothing left. The man's older son stayed faithful. One day the younger son became desperate after eating with hogs, and returned to his father’s house. His father held a huge celebration because he was so happy his younger son had returned. The older son became jealous because no celebration had been held for him who had been faithful. The father explained that everything he owned belonged to the elder son but that it was right to celebrate the return of the lost son.
​And he said, A certain man had two sons: Luke 15:11
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. Luke 15:12
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Luke 15:13
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Luke 15:14
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. Luke 15:15
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. Luke 15:16
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Luke 15:18
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. Luke 15:19
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luke 15:20
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Luke 15:21
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: Luke 15:22
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: Luke 15:23
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. Luke 15:25
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. Luke 15:26
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. Luke 15:27
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. Luke 15:28
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: Luke 15:29
But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. Luke 15:30
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. Luke 15:31
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Luke 15:32 
Meaning of The Parable of The Lost Sheep, Lost Silver, and Prodigal Son
The meaning of the Parable of the Lost Sheep is the same as the meaning in other parables told by Jesus such as, The Prodigal Son, and The Lost Silver and The Lost Sheep. The faithful will have all that is the Lord’s but for those who repent and return to the Lord, the inhabitants of heaven rejoice and are happy, celebrating every time someone returns to God. God the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost and the Angels in heaven are very happy when a lost soul returns to them. A lost sheep (soul), person is someone who belonged to the Lord and strayed away. When the lost person repents of their sins and returns to Him, all heaven rejoices. This joy is even more happy than it is for those who were saved and never strayed because the Lord did not have to worry about those who remained faithful. When you lose someone or something, you look for it, while you are looking, you worry, you fear, and you continue to search for them. God will never stop searching for you. Once you belong to Him, if you stray away, He will come to find you wherever you are at. As is evident when Jesus Christ said:

• ​My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. John 10:29

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Parables Jesus Told

References:
1. ​Young Sheep photo by Rod Long (@rodlong) on Unsplash. (2018). Unsplash.com. Retrieved 15 December 2018, from https://unsplash.com/photos/aJvSX36kweg