Lesson: The Lost Coin & Lost Sheep

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The Lost Coin, Arch Book Series

Each book presents a complete Bible story in a fun-to-read way children can understand and remember. This book is a retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son. Softcover from Concordia. Recommended for ages 5-9.

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Widow's Mite Coin Replicas

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Parables: The Lost Coin & the Lost Sheep

To Remember: God loves everyone

Vocabulary

shepherd - one who takes care of sheep
repent(ance) - turning away from evil to do good

Lesson

Luke 15:2-10 And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them. 3 And he spoke unto them this parable, saying, 4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance. 8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she called together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.

When Jesus was teaching on earth, he spent time with people who did not always do what was right. He taught them what they needed to do for God to be happy with them. The Jews who followed God's law were unhappy that Jesus spent time with sinners. Jesus answered their disapproval with this parable. The parable describes how much God cares for the sinner, and how much He wants them back. Just like a person who finds a lost coin, God is happy when a person repents and joins the others who weren't lost to begin with.

This lesson does not teach that God accepts everyone's behavior. But it does teach that we should try and teach others about God's law so they might be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Activity: Give each child three quarters (or pieces of candy in wrappers, etc). Have them roll one on the ground. Then ask them if they would like to find the one they lost. They'll answer yes. Then ask. "Don't you like the ones you have?" "Yes," they'll answer, "but we want the other one, too." Explain that God feels the same way about us. He loves all those that are His, but He misses those that aren't, and will give a lot to find them.

Bury one coin for each student in a jar of sand. Have the students reach in and feel around until they find one.

Sing: Jesus loves the little children

Graphic: Color picture of a shepherd reaching for the lost sheep. Use as a puzzle or illustration.

Worksheet: Hand out on the Lost Coin .pdf

Craft: Build a shoebox panorama of the woman's house with the lost coin. Use empty boxes, thread spools, and bits of fabric to "decorate" the house. Make a paper doll or use an action figure to show the woman sweeping the house.

Memory Work

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

True or False

God loves everyone. T
God accepts everyone's behavior. F
The angels show interest in our soul. T
Good people should completely avoid all bad people. F
God expects us to teach others about Him. T
We must repent to be pleasing to God. T

Review Questions (can be used with gameboard)

	linguistic questions
	What does the word "repent" mean? What is a Pharisee? Define shepherd.
	activity questions
	Act out the joy of the shepherd who found hisr lost sheep. Search this room for _____. (Hide something in the room before class for this question, or for younger kids, ask them to find a picture of something posted on the wall.)
	emotion questions
	How does God feel about sinners? How does God feel about sin? How should we feel about sinners?
	application questions
	Should we accept every bad behavior? Should we shun everyone who does anything wrong? How should we approach those who are deceived by sin?
	fact questions
	How many sheep did the shepherd have that weren't lost? What did Jesus do when He spent time with sinners? What was the shepherd's job?
	review questions
	Why was Jesus telling these parables? Do angels care about us? Why was eating with sinners so important to the Pharisees and scribes?