Kingdom Value | Discussion Guide

Published September 7, 2026
Sermon graphic for a series on The Gospel of Luke. The title is 'The Expansion: Kingdom Value,' based on Luke 15:8-10, with religious icons.

Summary

In this sermon, the pastor explores the Parable of the Lost Coin from Luke 15:8-10, the second in a trilogy of parables Jesus tells. Using the relatable experience of a lost child versus a lost remote control, the pastor illustrates how our values determine our actions. Just as the woman in the parable lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and searches carefully until she finds her lost coin, followers of Jesus are called to pursue the lost with the same urgency and intentionality. The parable also highlights how Jesus dignifies the marginalized by using a woman as the central figure, and connects the image on the coin to humanity being made in the image of God, giving every person inherent worth and value. The sermon challenges believers to examine whether Jesus is truly their greatest priority. Drawing on the contrast between the complaining Pharisees and the celebrating community in the parable, the pastor calls the church to a shared value system centered on the kingdom of God. He points to the persecuted church in Nigeria as a sobering example of what it looks like to prioritize Christ above comfort and safety. Ultimately, the message is clear: kingdom values shape our perspective, our actions, and our joy, and the church's mission is not finished until every lost person has heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and discuss what it means to truly value what You value, we ask that You would quiet our hearts and minds. Remove any distractions, any pride, or any comfort that keeps us from hearing what You want to say to us today. Holy Spirit, move in this room. Open our eyes to see clearly, soften our hearts to receive honestly, and give us the courage to respond faithfully. May this time together draw each of us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What is something you have lost and then found that brought you an unexpected sense of relief or joy?

Key Verses

  • Luke 15:8-10
  • Genesis 1:27
  • John 8:12
  • Matthew 5:14-16
  • Matthew 6:33
  • Psalm 16:11
  • James 1:22

Questions

  • The pastor opened with a story about his son going missing and compared the response to losing a TV remote. What does your reaction to losing something reveal about what you truly value?
  • In the parable, Jesus uses a woman as the central figure, which would have been offensive to the Pharisees of that day. What does this choice tell us about how God views people that others might overlook or dismiss?
  • The coin bears the image of a ruler, and Genesis 1:27 tells us that every person is made in the image of God. How does understanding that truth change the way you see the people around you, especially those who are difficult to love?
  • The woman lights a lamp before she begins searching. Jesus calls Himself the light of the world in John 8:12, and then calls His followers the light of the world in Matthew 5:14. What does it look like practically for you to reflect the light of Christ in your everyday life?
  • James 1:22 warns us not to be hearers of the Word only but doers. In what areas of your faith do you find it easiest to consume truth without acting on it? What gets in the way? 
  • The pastor described the persecuted church in Nigeria, where believers worship loudly and joyfully even at the risk of their lives. What does their example reveal about the difference between a faith built on comfort and a faith built on conviction?
  • The sermon makes the point that you cannot have multiple priorities. There is always one governing principle in your life. If someone who knows you well were asked what your greatest priority is, what do you think they would say?
  • The woman in the parable calls her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her when the coin is found. How does your community, whether your small group, family, or church, currently celebrate when someone comes to faith or takes a step toward Jesus?

Life Application

This week, identify one person in your life who does not yet know Jesus. Pray for them by name every day this week, asking God to open a door for a conversation. Then take one intentional step toward that person, whether it is a text, a lunch invitation, or simply showing up for them in a meaningful way. Do not wait for the perfect moment. Pick up the broom and start searching, because the job is not done until the lost are found.

Key Takeaways

  • Kingdom values shape our perspective. What we believe God values will determine how we see the people and world around us, shifting our focus from earthly concerns to eternal ones.
  • Every person has inherent worth and dignity because every person is made in the image of God. No one can be written off as expendable, regardless of their background, status, or past.
  • Followers of Jesus are called to be light in the darkness, not passively hoping others notice, but actively and intentionally proclaiming the gospel to those who have not yet heard it.
  • The mission of the church is not finished until every lost person is reached. Like the woman who searches carefully until the coin is found, we are called to persist faithfully and not settle for comfort over calling.
  • Our greatest priority in life is revealed by what brings us the greatest joy. When Jesus is our deepest joy, He naturally becomes our highest priority, and everything else falls into its proper place beneath Him.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for this time together in Your Word. Thank You for the reminder that You are the light who entered the darkness so that we could be found. Forgive us for the times we have been more comfortable than courageous, more focused on ourselves than on the one person in our lives who needs to hear the gospel. We ask that You would take what was discussed today and press it deep into our hearts so that it does not fade when we walk out the door. Give us eyes to see the lost the way You see them, with urgency, with compassion, and with joy. Bind us together as a community that shares Your values and celebrates what heaven celebrates. And may we persist, together, until You return or call us home. In Your name we pray, Amen.