Joyful Moments in Christ

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 15:1-10

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 15:1-10: The Joy of Finding the Lost

The Joy of Finding the Lost

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

Jesus teaches that God seeks out those who are lost and that all of Heaven celebrates when one sinner turns back to him.

Lesson Objectives

  1. Students will learn that Jesus values every person and welcomes those whom others might reject.
  2. Students will understand that God actively seeks after people who are lost in sin to bring them home.
  3. Students will recognize that there is great joy in Heaven and among the angels when a person repents.

Class Setting Notes

  1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
  2. Lesson length: 45 to 60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity: The Missing Piece

  1. Before class begins, hide one piece of a simple ten piece puzzle or one specific colored block somewhere in the room.
  2. When the students arrive, give them the rest of the puzzle or blocks and ask them to put it together.
  3. Once they realize one piece is missing, stop the activity and ask how it feels to have an unfinished set.
  4. Have the entire class search for the missing piece until it is found.
  5. Lead a quick cheer once the piece is found and returned to the group.

This activity helps introduce the feeling of something being missing and the relief and happiness that come when it is found.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 15:1-10 aloud together or have one person read it.

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

  1. Notice who is coming to listen to Jesus and who is staying back to complain.
  2. Think about why a shepherd would leave ninety nine sheep just to find one that is missing.
  3. Watch what happens when the shepherd finds the sheep and how he carries it back.
  4. Pay attention to the hard work the woman does by lighting a lamp and sweeping her whole house.
  5. Listen for the word Jesus uses to describe the celebration that happens in Heaven.

Teacher Background Notes

  1. Tax collectors were often hated because they worked for the Roman government and sometimes took extra money for themselves.
  2. Pharisees and scribes believed that staying holy meant staying away from people they called sinners.
  3. Jesus used the word parable to describe these stories which use earthly things to explain spiritual truths about God.
  4. A silver coin in this story was likely a drachma, which was worth about one full day of wages for a worker.
  5. Repentance means being truly sorry for sin and turning back toward God with a heart that wants to follow him.

Theological Insights

  1. God is the one who takes the first step to find us because we cannot find our own way to him.
  2. The mercy of Christ is shown in his willingness to eat with and teach those who are considered outcasts by the world.
  3. Every single person is precious to God, and he does not want any of his children to remain lost.
  4. True repentance is a gift from God that leads to a change in how we live and think.
  5. The celebration of the angels shows us that God delights in showing grace to those who turn to him.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

  1. Why were the Pharisees and the teachers of the law grumbling about Jesus?
  2. What did the shepherd do as soon as he found the lost sheep?
  3. What did the woman do to make sure she could see well enough to find her coin?
  4. Who does Jesus say rejoices when one sinner repents?

Personal Reflection and Application

  1. How does it feel to know that God looks for you when you wander away from him?
  2. Why is it important for us to welcome people at church, even if they are different from us?
  3. When you find something you lost, who is the first person you want to tell?
  4. How can we join in the joy of Heaven when someone we know decides to follow Jesus?

Suggested Activities

The Search Party Game

  1. Hide several silver circles made of paper around the room.
  2. Give the students a limited time to find every single one.
  3. If any are still missing, help the students look until every coin is gathered.

This activity illustrates the effort and care God uses to bring his people back to himself.

Celebration Postcards

  1. Give each student a blank card and markers to decorate a celebration invitation.
  2. Have them write a message about the joy in Heaven or a verse from the passage.
  3. Ask them to think about how they can celebrate the good things God is doing in their own lives.

This activity helps students focus on the theme of rejoicing and the happiness found in the Kingdom of God.

Lost Sheep Cotton Craft

  1. Have students draw a simple sheep on a piece of paper and glue cotton balls onto it.
  2. On the back of the paper, have them write their own name to show they belong to the Good Shepherd.
  3. Discuss how a shepherd knows his sheep by name and cares for each one.

This activity reminds students of the personal care and protection Jesus provides for them.

Memory Verse

This Bible verse image features Luke 15:10 (ESV): “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” A reminder of the great celebration in Heaven when one person turns back to him.
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. – Luke 15:10 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,
Thank you for looking for us when we are lost and bringing us safely home. Help us to know your love and to rejoice when others turn to you.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

This Bible verse image features Luke 15:10 (ESV): “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” A reminder of the great celebration in Heaven when one person turns back to him.
A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 15:1-10: The Joy of Finding the Lost

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Study based on Luke 15:1-10 here:

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

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