The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: 10 Bible Stories that Build Outgoing Disciples
Week's focus: Lost & Found Parables of Jesus
Scriptures: Luke 15
Week of: July 1, 2007

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
What insights can we find in these "lost and found" parables of Jesus that build our capacity to be outgoing disciples?

1. EMBRACE as valuable whatever, whomever God embraces as valuable-even if everybody else WRITES them off.

Luke 15:3, 8, 11-13

A. The self-righteous people were getting upset because clearly sinful people were attracted to Jesus-and Jesus was attracted to them. Why was this a problem for them?

B. What do you think are some basic differences between a self-righteous person and a God-righteous person?
Self-righteous God-righteous
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C. Recall your own lostness…and the joy of being found, healed, restored. Journal or relate to someone else your "developing story of grace."

D. Who are some people or groups of people in our world today who seem be "written off," dismissed, criminalized, or treated carelessly? What do these parables of Jesus indicate of their value assessment in God's eyes?

2. FOCUS on recovering something or someone wandering, wounded or lost with passionate ACTIONS of seeking, healing, and restoring.

Luke 15:4-6a, 8b, 20-24

A. While the self-righteous and the older brother thought the focus should be on them, where does Jesus place the focus of redemption?

B. "Saved" persons often develop a spiritually unhealthy pattern of distancing and insulating themselves from "unsaved" persons and unstable situations. Why do you think this happens? What different response do these parables show us?

C. What 3-5 "notes to myself" can you make that will help you keep seeing real lostness, looking outward and moving toward wandering, wounded people?
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3. REDISCOVER the power of celebrating emergent breakthroughs and small victories. Luke:15:6b-7, 9, 22-31

A. Why don't we celebrate the good things that happen for--and in--other people more frequently and more robustly?

B. Remember: what is "just a coin" to one person is a week's wages to another. Keep focused on the value God places on people and the "day of new beginnings."

C. How will you celebrate the next spiritual breakthrough of a loved one, friend, or neighbor?


MARKINGS FOR THE JOURNEY
Consider the way God values you & invites you to a God-like response to people

THE PARTY WOULDN'T BE COMPLETE "The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you. . . . There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too." - Frederick Buechner

PLACE OF CALLING "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." - Frederick Buechner

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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