Youth Sermon: Reaching the Lost

Introduction

Hey, friends! You know that feeling when you're working on a puzzle and you just can't find that last piece? It's so frustrating, right? Well, that's kind of how God feels when one of His children is lost. He wants everyone to be a part of His kingdom, and He rejoices when someone who was lost finds their way back to Him.

Jesus was known as a friend of sinners because He spent time with people that others didn't want to be around. He knew that they needed a friend and a Savior. In Luke 15, Jesus tells two stories about things that were lost and then found again. These stories help us understand that everyone matters to God, even those who seem lost or too far gone.

Well, that's kind of how God feels when one of His children is lost. He wants everyone to be a part of His kingdom, and He rejoices when someone who was lost finds their way back to Him.

Luke 15: Lost and Found

In the first story, Jesus talks about a shepherd who has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. The shepherd leaves the 99 other sheep to go find the one that's lost. When he finds it, he's so happy that he throws a party to celebrate. Jesus says that there's more rejoicing in heaven over one person who turns back to God than over 99 people who don't need to.

In the second story, Jesus talks about a woman who loses a valuable coin. She searches her entire house until she finds it, and when she does, she's so happy that she calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. Jesus says that the angels in heaven rejoice when one person turns back to God.

Application

So, what does this mean for us? It means that we should care about the people around us who might feel lost or left out. We should be like Jesus and be friends to those who need it most. We can invite them to hang out with us, listen to them, and share God's love with them.

This week, think about the people in your life who might feel like outsiders. Reach out to them and show them that they matter. Remember, everyone matters in God's kingdom, even those who seem lost or too far gone.

Prayer

"God, help us to see others the way You see them. Give us the courage to reach out to those who feel lost or left out. Help us to be like Jesus and be friends to those who need it most. Thank you for loving us and rejoicing when we turn back to You. Amen."

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus spent so much time with sinners and tax collectors?

2. How does it make you feel to know that everyone matters in the kingdom of God, even those who are considered "lost" or "outsiders"?

3. What are some ways we can reach out to those who may feel like outsiders in our own lives?

4. How can we show God's love to those who may not feel valued or included?

5. What are some practical steps we can take to be more like Jesus in our relationships with others?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Lost and Found Scavenger Hunt
• Group Activity: Inviting the Outsiders
• Youth Challenge: Be a Friend to the "Lost"