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This week’s study is based on theparable of,

‘The Lost Sheep.’

Read Matthew 18:10-14.

As Jesus tells this parable?

· Who is He speaking to?

· Who is He speaking about?

· What would you say is the main message Jesus was wanting to communicate to his hearers?

· Why do you think Jesus chose a child? See James 1:27a.

1. The shepherd.

Picture the man (shepherd) leaving the 99 sheep. Discuss the value he is placing on the one lost sheep.

What do you think would be in his heart and on his mind as thinks about the dangers his lost sheep is under all alone in the hills?

What happens when he finds it?

Read Matthew 18:10. What does Jesus say for His disciples not to do? Based on what you have read and discussed why do you think He said this?

What do you think the shepherd would do if the same thing happened again the next week?

Read Matthew 18:14 again. Discuss what the words, ‘In the same way’ means to each one of us as God’s children.

2. The Lord is Our Shepherd.

Read Psalm 23. Write down in a few words the meaning of each verse as it communicates to you the love Jesus the Good Shepherd has for you personally and your response to His love and care.

v. 1…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

v. 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

v. 3…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

v. 4…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

v. 5…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

v. 6…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Read the following article on ‘The Shepherds Staff’ with David’s words in mind,

‘….Your rod and staff protect and comfort me.’ Psalm 23:4b.

The Shepherds Staff

“We turn now to discuss and consider the shepherd’s staff. In a sense, the staff, more than any other item of his personal equipment, identifies the shepherd as a shepherd. No one in any other profession carries a shepherd’s staff. It is uniquely an instrument used for the care and management of sheep — and only sheep. It is designed, shaped and adapted especially to the needs of sheep.

The staff is essentially a symbol of the concern, the compassion that a shepherd has for his charges. No other single word can better describe its function on behalf of the flock than that it is for their "comfort."

Whereas the rod conveys the concept of authority, of power, of discipline, of defence against danger, the word "staff" speaks of all that is longsuffering and kind.

The shepherd’s staff is normally a long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end. It is selected with care by the owner; it is shaped, smoothed, and cut to best suit his own personal use.

There are three areas of sheep management in which the staff plays a most significant role. The first of these lies in drawing sheep together into an intimate relationship. The shepherd will use his staff to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother if they become parted. He does this because he does not wish to have the ewe reject her offspring if it bears the odour of his hands upon it.

The staff is used by the shepherd to reach out and catch individual sheep, young or old, and draw them close to himself for intimate examination. The staff is very useful this way, for the shy and timid sheep normally tend to keep at a distance from the shepherd.

The staff is also used for guiding sheep. Again and again I have seen a shepherd use his staff to guide his sheep gently into a new path or through some gate or along dangerous, difficult routes. He does not use it actually to beat the beast. Rather, the tip of the long slender stick is laid gently against the animal’s side and the pressure applied guides the sheep in the way the owner wants it to go. Thus the sheep is reassured of its proper path.

Being stubborn creatures sheep often get into the most ridiculous and preposterous dilemmas. I have seen my own sheep, greedy for one more mouthful of green grass, climb down steep cliffs where they slipped and fell into the sea. Only my long shepherd’s staff could lift them out of the water back onto solid ground.

Another common occurrence was to find sheep stuck fast in labyrinths of wild roses or brambles where they had pushed in to find a few stray mouthfuls of green grass. Soon the thorns were so hooked in their wool they could not possibly pull free, tug as they might. Only the use of the staff could free them from their entanglement.”

Excerpts from: A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

Can you say also with David at the beginning of that verse….

‘Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me….’? Psalm 23:4a.

Share with others in your group what you learn or was reminded of.

3. Angels.

Read Matthew 18:10. What is the significance of these ‘little one’s’ angels always being in the presence of Jesus’ Heavenly Father?

How much do you know about angels?

Read the following verses and discuss in your group what they tell you about angels.

· Hebrews 1:7,14. …………………………………………………………………………

· Psalm 34:7. ………………………………………………………………………………

· 2 Kings 6:15-17. …………………………………………………………………………

· Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:8-15. …………………………………………………………….

· Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43, Matthew 26:52-54. ………………………………………

· Revelations 22:8-9. ………………………………………………………………………

· Revelations 5:11-12. ……………………………………………………………………..

Do you think you have an angel watching over and serving you according to God’s will? Revisit Psalm 34:7.

Are there things you have read and discussed in this study which will help you to share with others about the care God gives to those who trust in Him?

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Bible Study Parables