God Seeks His Wandering Sheep

# God Seeks His Wandering Sheep ## Leader Guide (Ages 9–12)

Anchor Scripture: Matthew 18:12–14

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Question 1: Why does Jesus call believers 'little ones'?

Leader Context: Jesus uses 'little ones' to describe believers who have childlike faith — humble, dependent, trusting. This isn't about age; it's about spiritual posture. The sermon emphasized that these believers need care, patience, and protection, just like children do. If kids assume it means actual children, gently redirect: 'Great thought! But look at verse 6 — Jesus says little ones who believe in me. So He's talking about all His followers who trust Him like kids trust their parents.'

Expected Answer: Jesus calls believers 'little ones' because we're supposed to have faith like children — humble and trusting. We need God's care and protection just like kids need their parents.

Application Prompt: Can you think of a time you trusted God even when you didn't understand everything? How did that show childlike faith?

Time Estimate: 3–4 minutes

Question 2: In the parable, why does the shepherd leave the 99 sheep to find the one?

Leader Context: This is the heart of the sermon's big idea: God cares deeply for each individual believer. The shepherd doesn't think, 'Well, I still have 99 — one loss is acceptable.' Every single sheep matters. Help kids see that God doesn't see them as part of a crowd; He knows and loves each one by name. Cross-reference John 10:14 if helpful: 'I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.'

Expected Answer: The shepherd goes after the one sheep because every single sheep is important to him. He doesn't want to lose even one. God feels the same way about us — each of us matters to Him individually.

Application Prompt: How does it feel to know that God would come looking for you personally if you wandered away?

Time Estimate: 4–5 minutes

Question 3: What does it mean for a believer to 'go astray' or wander off?

Leader Context: The sermon explained that going astray means wandering into sin, being deceived, or drifting from God. It's not about losing salvation, but about a believer making choices that lead them away from God's path. Be sensitive here — some kids may feel shame about past mistakes. Emphasize that wandering is something God takes seriously because He loves us, not because He's angry. The whole point of the parable is that He comes after us.

Expected Answer: To go astray means to wander into sin or make choices that take us away from God. It's like a sheep that gets distracted and walks away from the shepherd, not realizing the danger.

Application Prompt: What are some things that might distract us or tempt us to wander away from following Jesus?

Time Estimate: 4–5 minutes

Question 4: How does God seek and restore believers who wander? (Connect to Matthew 18:15–17)

Leader Context: This bridges the parable (vv. 12–14) to the church discipline passage (vv. 15–17). The sermon explained that God seeks wandering believers through His people — through loving correction, honest conversations, and the church community. The process in verses 15–17 isn't about punishment; it's about restoration. God uses other believers to gently bring the wandering sheep back. Emphasize the loving nature of this process.

Expected Answer: God uses other believers to help restore someone who has wandered. It starts with a private conversation, then involves a few others, and finally the whole church if needed. The goal is always to bring the person back, not to punish them.

Application Prompt: Why do you think God wants us to talk to someone privately first, instead of telling everyone about their sin right away?

Time Estimate: 5–6 minutes

Question 5: Read Psalm 23:1–3. How does this psalm connect to Jesus as our Good Shepherd?

Leader Context: The sermon closed with Psalm 23, and it's a perfect cross-reference for kids this age to memorize and internalize. 'He restores my soul' connects directly to the restoration theme. 'He leads me in paths of righteousness' echoes the shepherd guiding sheep back to safety. Help kids see that Jesus is the fulfillment of this psalm — He is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Expected Answer: Psalm 23 describes God as a shepherd who takes care of us, leads us, and restores us when we wander. Jesus is that Good Shepherd — He loves us, protects us, and brings us back when we go astray.

Application Prompt: The psalm says, 'He restores my soul.' What do you think that means, and how have you experienced God restoring you after you made a mistake?

Time Estimate: 4–5 minutes

Closing Prayer Prompt

Invite kids to thank God for being a shepherd who never gives up on them. Encourage them to pray for anyone they know who might be wandering, and to ask God to help them be part of bringing others back to Him.

Total Time Estimate: 20–25 minutes