How can we encourage others who feel "lost" to return to God's path? Focus Verse “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” Key Truths Drawn from the Verse • God notices every individual; no one is expendable. • Pursuit of the lost is intentional, not accidental. • The seeker perseveres “until he finds” — no half-heart measures. • Restoration brings joy to the whole community. How to Encourage Someone Who Feels Lost 1. Personal Pursuit • Initiate contact; don’t wait for them to return first (Luke 15:4). • Communicate worth: “You matter so much that I came looking.” 2. Compassionate Listening • James 1:19 – “Be quick to listen, slow to speak.” • Let them tell their story without interruption or judgment. 3. Share God’s Promises • Isaiah 30:21 – “This is the way; walk in it.” • Psalm 34:18 – “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted.” • Speak Scripture aloud; God’s Word does the convincing (Hebrews 4:12). 4. Shoulder-Bearing Support • Luke 15:5 – The shepherd lifts the sheep; some burdens require help. • Offer practical aid: rides to church, prayer texts, meeting for coffee. 5. Celebrate Small Steps • Luke 15:6 – “Rejoice with me!” • Acknowledge progress: attending one service, opening the Bible again, choosing forgiveness. 6. Engage the Community • Hebrews 10:24-25 – Stir one another to love and good works. • Introduce them to caring believers; isolation fuels lostness. 7. Persistent Prayer • 1 Samuel 12:23 – “Far be it from me to sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you.” • Keep their name before the throne even when they pull away. Pitfalls to Avoid • Nagging or shaming (Galatians 6:1 – restore “in a spirit of gentleness”). • Treating them as a project rather than a person. • Giving up too soon; the shepherd searched until he found the sheep. Additional Scriptures for Confidence • Psalm 119:105 – God’s Word lights the path home. • James 5:19-20 – Turning a wanderer back covers a multitude of sins. • John 10:27-28 – No one can snatch God’s sheep from His hand. Takeaway Pursue, listen, lift, and celebrate—mirroring the Shepherd’s relentless love—so the lost can taste the joy of being found. |
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