Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Matthew 18:10-14 (NIV)
The Parable of the Wandering Sheep
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11] 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
How has God shown compassion toward you? Others you know?
To which Bible text above can you most relate? In what way?
Do you deserve God’s compassion? Why or why not?
On whom, if anyone, do you have compassion? For what reason? How have you shown it?
Are any of those upon which you have compassion people you don’t know, don’t like, or of which you are afraid? If not, what could you do to experience an attitude change?
Lord, You have given human beings the choice and the freedom to love You or to ignore You. So much suffering in this world is caused by us choosing not to love You. We get lost in our pride and selfishness. But in Your compassion, You continue to love us and help us find our way back to You. Thank You, loving Father. Amen