Matthew 18:6-14

While Jesus still had the child with them in the group as they talked, Jesus took the opportunity to teach more. He taught that no one should offend, or cause one of these little ones who believe in him, to stumble.

Jesus taught we should be careful to remove anything from our lives that causes us or others to stumble, or fall away from Him. To emphasize this idea, he said that even if our hand, or foot, or eye were the cause of this offense that leads someone to fall away from Jesus, we should get rid of it. Losing our way and not following Jesus is even worse than losing a hand, foot, or an eye.

Someone who no longer follows Jesus is lost and it is important to help them find their way to the Savior again. Jesus taught that he has “come to save that which is lost.”

Jesus gave an example of the importance of finding one who has gone astray. He said:

“How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”

Jesus taught that these children have “their angels” who are in the presence of God. We should never cause any child to go astray and should help recover those who are lost. “Their angels” will certainly be helping.

What do you think?

• What does Jesus think of those who are lost or gone astray? What has he come to do for them?
• How can we be sure we are not the cause of somone becoming lost?
• How does one lost sheep bring rejoicing?
• What do you think about children having “their angels” to be concerned about them?

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