“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” – Luke 13:22-24

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

That last verse is particularly important. If we’re going to find God then we can’t put him 7th in our life or even 2nd. Going with God must be our first priority! We are even given a couple of ways we can seek God first: Seek first his kingdom: That’s the church (Remember, no one goes with God alone!) Get involved in church as quickly as possible. and Second: Seek his righteousness first: We find his righteousness in the bible and through prayer – the stuff you just learned about!

At first, the task of seeking God might seem daunting, even discouraging. That’s kind of a lot of pressure! Well, finish this week’s study by reading the three incredible parables that should take the pressure off and encourage you to go with God!

Take a moment to read one of the most incredible chapters in the whole bible: 

Luke 15:1-24

There are three parables here and you (yes you!) are in each of them. And so is God! Can you figure out who you are and who God is in each story?

Okay, let’s see how you did:

In the first parable, God is the shepherd who lost his sheep (you!). He isn’t mad that the sheep is lost – he just wants it back. And he’s not just sitting around waiting for the sheep to find him – he goes after the lost sheep, even leaving the un-lost sheep behind. Have you ever pictured God like this? Running through the fields, getting dirty, muddy, worn out, looking for his lost sheep? That’s how Jesus wants us to see God!

But that’s just the first parable. Next God is pictured as a woman who lost a coin. You know how you feel when you lose your keys (or worse, the remote control!) and you tear up the house until you find them? Well, that’s how God feels when we are lost. And when he finds us he throws a huge party. Imagine how great the parties in heaven must be!

But there’s more! Three is a special number in the bible. And here we have three parables that all make the same point: God loves us so much! The last parable is the famous parable of the prodigal (lost) son. Of course, God is the father and we are the son who has squandered his wealth on himself. God doesn’t abandon his son, he doesn’t punish his son, he doesn’t even let him get his full apology out before he wraps him in the world’s biggest hug, gives him a ring and a robe and orders a BBQ celebration!

Jesus wants everyone to know who God really is. He’s not far off. He’s not sitting on top of a mountain waiting for you to climb to the top (like the concept of God in all of the other world’s religions). No – God comes to us! Yes, we need to seek God (wholeheartedly, willingly, first) but we can go after him with joy and confidence because he is seeking us! He’s been looking for you this whole time and he’s got the angels ready for a great big party and his arms open wide for a great big hug!

Alright, It’s time to take what you’ve learned this week to your bible study partner. Go ahead and give them a text or a call to let them know you are ready to meet up and talk about all that you are learning.