Meeting guide · command 54

Do Not Despise These

Do not look down on vulnerable or wandering little ones; value them as the Father does and seek their restoration.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 18:10–14

10 See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost. 12 “What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? 13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

World English Bible

Jesus warns against contempt and tells of a shepherd seeking one wandering sheep because the Father does not will that a little one perish.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. How does contempt show itself subtly, and what would it mean to value the one person who has wandered?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Identify one vulnerable or drifting person you have overlooked. Make safe contact, listen, and offer one appropriate act of support without trying to control the response.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

Whom did you notice or contact, and what did their value before God change in your response?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Father, free us from contempt. Give us your attention for vulnerable people and your patient desire for restoration.

Teach

Connect the command to protection and restoration; seeking the wandering never excuses coercion or unsafe pursuit.