The Jesus Life

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The Jesus Life Lesson 10 Title: The Jesus Life: Learning, Loving, Living Scripture: Luke 15:1-32 Big Idea: The Jesus Life means looking out for lost ones and getting them connected to the Father. Announcements * Egg Stuffing Parties: Join us for our Egg Stuffing Parties on Tuesday evenings, starting March 6th through March 20th. Help us stuff over 7,000 eggs for the Easter Blast egg hunt while you snack on sweets and enjoy great company. Sign up on the patio or contact the office for more information. * Easter Services: Our Easter services are just a few weeks away! We hope you can join us, either for our Traditional style service on Sunday, April 1 at 8am or for one of our Contemporary services, Saturday, March 31 at 4pm and Sunday, April 1 at 9:30 and 11:15am. All services will be in the Family Life Center. * Passover/Seder Presentation: And, please join us the Thursday before Easter for a Passover/Seder presentation in the Worship Center. [Bryce, please include the date & time on the slide: March 29th at 7pm] Be inspired by the rich symbolism of the Jewish Passover meal, it’s connection with our communion celebration, and the many ways it points to Jesus. Our very own “Rabbi” and missionary to the Jewish people, Jacob Cohen will be presenting. Please note that this event is a presentation only. No Passover food will be served. * Father Daughter Breakfast: The Father Daughter Breakfast is coming up on Saturday, April 7th to honor the special relationship between daughters and dads of all ages. There will be special music, great food, portrait photography and words of insight from a daughter’s perspective. There is no charge for this memorybuilding event, but please sign up on the patio or at COTF.org. * Men’s Retreat: Men’s Retreat is happening May 18-20. This is an opportunity for men to step out of their day-to-day busyness and focus on God’s priorities for their lives. Every year faith is deepened and lasting friendships are formed. Great music, plentiful food, lakeside lodging, great messages and lots of free time are just some of the characteristics of this weekend experience at Zephyr Point Conference Center. Sign ups begin today on the patio and online.

Opening Question: Describe the first year of your life after you left your parent’s home. Open in prayer Discussion Questions Read Luke 15:1-10 1. There are three parables in Luke 15, but only one central message. What is it? (15:7,10)

2. Using a Bible dictionary or online resource, write out a definition for “repentance.”

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3. The word “repent” is used 27 times in the New Testament. Use a concordance to locate three uses of “repent” and explain how repentance is part of salvation.

4. Have you ever strayed from your Christian faith? How did God bring you back?

Read Luke 15:11-20 5. Have you ever experienced being at rock bottom? How did God lift you up?

Read Luke 15:21-32 6. Hearing about the father’s response, we know that “Lost people matter to God.” Knowing that God was eagerly waiting for you to turn to Him and rejoiced at your coming to Him, stop right now and praise God for His love for you. 7. What prevented the older son from coming in to the party?

8. Pastor Phil said, “It’s all about seeking and saving the lost and the celebration that goes with it.” Everyone likes to hear a good story. Do you know someone who would be like the younger son or like the older son? What is their first name? Now, summarize the parable of the lost son in your own words and ask your group to pray that God will give you the opportunity to tell your summarized story to the person you just named. “(Person’s name), there is a story in the Bible that made me think of you. It is about…. (write out your story)

9. Our church’s purpose statement: “We exist to connect people to Jesus and help them grow to love and serve Him.” This sermon was all about connecting people to Jesus. Memorize the purpose statement and ask God to empower you to be an ACTIVE part of fulfilling our purpose. Close in Prayer