Dare To Care

Ezekiel 34:11 [NLT] , Luke 15:3–6 [NLT]

MAIN IDEA: God takes the initiative and moves toward us; we take the initiative toward others.

God always makes the move.

Ezekiel 34:11–12 (NLT) 11 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.

1. We each other because Jesus pursues us.

Luke 15:3–6 (NLT) 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’

2. We listen to because Jesus listens to us.

The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. (Pr. 20:5)

CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION

1. Have you ever been pursued by someone who took a genuine interest in your life?

• How did that person do it?
• How was it helpful to you?

2. We aspire to be motivated by how Jesus has treated us.

• In what way have you noticed Jesus has pursued you?

3. Why might you be reluctant to move toward others?

4. How might you make the first move today or this week?

CTC Questions: Kid Edition

Talk through the story of Miriam, and think of ways this story points us toward the problem of sin and our separation from God.

1. How was Miriam healed and reunited with her people?

2. How does the healing of Miriam symbolize the solution for our ultimate problem of sin and separation from God?