The Lost Sheep
Which two groups of people were gathering around to hear Jesus, causing the Pharisees to mutter?
Tax collectors and sinners.
How many silver coins did the woman own before she lost one?
Ten.
What did the younger son ask his father to give him at the beginning of the story?
His share of the estate (inheritance).
While the son was still "a long way off," what did the father do when he saw him?
He was filled with compassion and ran to his son.
Where was the older son when the younger son arrived home and the music started?
In the field.
In the parable, how many sheep does the man have total before he loses one?
One hundred.
According to the NIV, what three things does the woman do to find the lost coin?
Lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully.
To what kind of country did the son travel after he got his money?
A distant country.
What three specific items did the father tell the servants to bring for his son?
The best robe, a ring, and sandals.
Why did the older brother become angry and refuse to go into the house?
He was upset that his father threw a feast for the brother who squandered his money.
What does the shepherd do with the lost sheep once he finds it?
He joyfully puts it on his shoulders.
Like the shepherd, what does the woman do once she finds what was lost?
She calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate.
After a famine hit and he spent all his money, what job did the son take?
Feeding pigs.
What specific animal was slaughtered to celebrate the son’s return?
The fattened calf.
The older brother complained that even though he had been "slaving" for years, his father never even gave him this small animal to celebrate with friends.
A young goat.
When the shepherd gets home, who does he call together to celebrate with him?
His friends and neighbors.
Jesus says that there is rejoicing in the presence of these specific beings when one sinner repents.
The angels of God.
The son was so hungry that he longed to fill his stomach with what specific item?
The pods that the pigs were eating
The son had a prepared speech asking to be a hired servant, but the father interrupted him. Why?
Because the son who was "dead" was alive again.
How does the father describe the older brother’s inheritance in verse 31?
"Everything I have is yours."
Jesus says there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over how many righteous persons who do not need to repent?
Ninety-nine.
Based on the value of the coins mentioned, what percentage of her total savings did the woman lose?
Ten percent (1 out of 10).
When the son "came to his senses," what did he realize about his father's hired servants?
That they had food to spare.
What does the father say was the status of the son before he was "found"?
He was lost.
What word does the father use to describe why they "had to celebrate"?
Because it was "fitting" (or "we had to celebrate and be glad").