THINK TOGETHER
Have you ever been lost? What did you do? Did someone find you?
READ TOGETHER
In Luke’s gospel, chapter 15, Jesus tells us three stories back to back that all teach us the same big idea – we are all lost until Jesus finds us. First a sheep gets lost, then a coin, then a son. A son?
That’s right. Jesus tells us a story about a dad with two sons. His younger son decided to take his dad’s money and leave home. His leaving was very disrespectful to the dad. The older son stayed home with the dad and worked on the farm. But he should have gone after his younger brother – the lost son.
When the younger son finally came back home his dad was so happy. He gave his lost son a huge hug and welcomed back without any guilt or punishment. He put a robe, a ring, and sandals on his son and then threw a huge party for him.
But the older son was mad at his dad. He though his younger brother should be punished and even not allowed to come home. He was jealous. He thought that he deserved a party because he had always obeyed and not rebelled like his brother. But look at what the Father says to the older brother at the end:
Luke 15:31-32. 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
The dad reminds his older son of his love for him – all that is mine is yours. And he also reminds him of his love for the younger brother – it was fitting to celebrate for your brother was lost and is now found.
Are you like the younger son, ready to receive love from God? Are you willing to admit that you’ve sinned? Are you wanting be forgiven, and found? Or are you like the older son that still wants to earn God’s love and prove that your better than everyone else?
Because of Jesus we are found!
With Jesus we can live every day in God’s grace and tell others about it too.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Play Hide and Seek together. Let it illustrate how we are all lost and need to be found by Jesus. And Jesus never stops searching.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you are the better older brother that shares everything with us. Help me to always know God loves me, and then share his love with others. Amen.
TLICfamily 