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The Lost Sheep

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One day, Jesus was teaching a crowd of people. Some of them were happy to listen to Him, but others complained.

"Why does Jesus spend time with sinners and tax collectors?" they asked.

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so He told them a story.

"Imagine that a shepherd has one hundred sheep," Jesus said. "He loves and cares for every one of them. Every morning, he counts them to make sure they are all safe."

One evening, the shepherd counted his sheep.

"One, two, three, four..." he counted carefully.

When he finished counting, he was surprised.

"Ninety-eight, ninety-nine..."

He counted again.

Still only ninety-nine!

One sheep was missing!

The shepherd was worried because sheep can get lost very easily. They can wander away looking for fresh grass and then not know how to get back home.

The shepherd loved all his sheep, so he did not say, "I still have ninety-nine. One doesn't matter."

Instead, he left the ninety-nine sheep in a safe place and went searching for the lost one.

He looked over hills.

He searched through valleys.

He checked behind rocks and bushes.

"Little sheep! Where are you?" he called.

The lost sheep was frightened and alone. It had wandered far from the flock and could not find its way back.

Then, at last, the sheep heard a familiar voice.

"Baa!" cried the sheep.

The shepherd followed the sound and found the lost sheep!

He was so happy that he gently lifted the sheep onto his shoulders and carried it home.

When he arrived home, he called his friends and neighbors.

"Come and celebrate with me!" he said. "I found my lost sheep!"

Everyone rejoiced together.

Jesus then explained the meaning of the story.

God is like the shepherd.

People are like the sheep.

Sometimes people wander away from God by making wrong choices or forgetting about Him. But God never stops loving them. He cares about every single person and wants everyone to come to Him.

Just as the shepherd searched for the lost sheep, God seeks people because He loves them.

Jesus said that there is great joy in heaven when even one person turns back to God.

Full Story

One day, Jesus was teaching a crowd of people. Some of them were happy to listen to Him, but others complained. "Why does Jesus spend time with sinners and tax collectors?" they asked. Jesus knew what they were thinking, so He told them a story. "Imagine that a shepherd has one hundred sheep," Jesus said. "He loves and cares for every one of them. Every morning, he counts them to make sure they are all safe." One evening, the shepherd counted his sheep. "One, two, three, four..." he counted carefully. When he finished counting, he was surprised. "Ninety-eight, ninety-nine..." He counted again. Still only ninety-nine! One sheep was missing! The shepherd was worried because sheep can get lost very easily. They can wander away looking for fresh grass and then not know how to get back home. The shepherd loved all his sheep, so he did not say, "I still have ninety-nine. One doesn't matter." Instead, he left the ninety-nine sheep in a safe place and went searching for the lost one. He looked over hills. He searched through valleys. He checked behind rocks and bushes. "Little sheep! Where are you?" he called. The lost sheep was frightened and alone. It had wandered far from the flock and could not find its way back. Then, at last, the sheep heard a familiar voice. "Baa!" cried the sheep. The shepherd followed the sound and found the lost sheep! He was so happy that he gently lifted the sheep onto his shoulders and carried it home. When he arrived home, he called his friends and neighbors. "Come and celebrate with me!" he said. "I found my lost sheep!" Everyone rejoiced together. Jesus then explained the meaning of the story. God is like the shepherd. People are like the sheep. Sometimes people wander away from God by making wrong choices or forgetting about Him. But God never stops loving them. He cares about every single person and wants everyone to come to Him. Just as the shepherd searched for the lost sheep, God seeks people because He loves them. Jesus said that there is great joy in heaven when even one person turns back to God.

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