By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story. "Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."

Ease 80%, Level 5.7

'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!'

LESSON

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace be with you Christ's Soldier!

In today's Bible verses, Jesus tells some little stories. He did this to help the people to know what he meant. Have you ever told a little story like this? It is made up, but it has some things in it that are very true. They are things that happen to people in real life. The word for this kind of story is a parable.

The story today is about loosing things and then finding them again. Have you ever lost something that you really liked a lot? Did it bother you that it was missing? Did you ever search and search for it? When you found it how did you feel? Good I'll bet. Even better than good, because you didn't worry anymore.

That happens to me all the time. I forget where I put things and have to search and search. I won't quit searching until I find it, and then I am happy to have it back again. Jesus said that is the way that God the Father is. He wants all of the people that are lost to heaven to be found. His angels are very happy when any lost person comes back to love God. God will seek them, just like the shepherd did his lost sheep. God will seek them, just like the lady did her lost coin. Then when he finds them again, all of heaven is happy and sings.

Did you know in heaven that you have a guardian angel? That is what Jesus taught us in the Bible. I'll bet your angel sings for you all the time! I'll bet he stands before the Father in heaven and talks about how good you are. If you ever get lost, I think your angel will be the first one to put out a search party for you. One day I think we will meet our very own angels. It will be at the big party that Jesus will give. We will all be there together; isn't that great?

/s/ Granddaddy

Ease 92%, Level 3.0

LESSON EXERCISES

* Can you name the people in this story, and tell about them?

* In you own words, what do you think this story is about?

* Draw a picture that tells the Gospel story. Maybe your angel in heaven. (You may copy or trace the one on the lesson if you wish.)

* Make up a story (parable) or share a true story that is like our lesson today.

* Sing a song about today's story I Am Jesus' Little Lamb

Songs for Children

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Notice: This is an open letter to my Grandson Nathan. It is under copyright protection: The Rev. Mark Carroll, MMVI

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