Slices
Prepare
Think about your attitude to homeless people on the streets, or someone with mental health issues struggling to look after themselves. Is it easy to ignore them and to walk past them?
Bible passage
The parable of the wandering sheep
10 ‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
12 ‘What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Explore
'The little ones’ (v 10) refers to fellow Christians, not just children, who are weak and vulnerable. Think about who these ‘little ones’ are in your community. Jesus warns the disciples not to despise them. How does Jesus describe the angels (v 11)? Vulnerable Christians are so precious to the Lord that their angels always see the face of our heavenly Father.
Read verses 12–14 again and identify what you think. Maybe it seems like a fool’s errand to leave 99 sheep unprotected to go and look for one that has wandered off. Maybe it seems unfair that the shepherd shows favouritism by being happier over the one sheep found than the 99 who didn’t go wandering in the first place.
Yet reading these verses in the context of verse 10 makes absolute sense of searching for the one sheep. Every sheep is precious to the shepherd. If one wanders off, then the shepherd will go searching for them to bring them back safely.
Jesus makes it clear (v 14) that that’s how our heavenly Father feels about all his little ones. He does not want even one to perish, so will search them out.
Respond
If you are aware of anyone in your church community whom you haven’t seen for a while, why not contact them to see how they are?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 57,58; Hebrews 11
Pray for Scripture Union
Trustee Sandra Morris invites us to join her in giving thanks for God’s faithfulness and for those who faithfully serve SU – reaching those who desperately need to hear they are accepted and loved by God. She also asks that we pray for guidance, and protection of everyone connected with SU.
A child has started following Jesus. Help them keep growing.
A child's decision to trust Jesus is a moment to celebrate, but it's also the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. Journey to the Sacred Kingdom helps children aged 5–8 discover what it means to know God through his Word, grow in faith and walk with Jesus every day.
Following the adventures of Rock and River, children explore key Bible stories, discover who the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are and begin developing everyday faith habits through engaging reflections, colourful comics and interactive activities.
Give the young believers in your care a strong biblical foundation from the very beginning.
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Introduce children to foundational biblical truths in a way they can understand, helping them build confidence in knowing God and following Jesus.
✓ Encourage faith that lasts beyond a single decision
Support children as they develop habits of prayer, Bible reading and trusting God, laying foundations for a lifelong relationship with Christ.
✓ A trusted discipleship resource for church and home
Perfect for parents, grandparents, children's leaders and churches seeking a biblically rooted follow-up resource after holiday clubs, children's ministry, family events, baptism or other moments when a child begins their journey with Jesus.
