迷羊的比喻對我們來說是一個熟悉的比喻。我們常常認為迷失的羊是那些從未聽過福音的人，因此宣教是如何向未得之民傳福音。但是那些在教會中長大，但仍然迷失的人呢？我們去找過他們嗎？很多時候，我們只為教會裡還有一隻羊而感到滿足和自豪，而沒有反省為什麼這麼多迷失的羊，更不用說把它們帶回來作為優先事項。

我們自己親愛的孩子是最重要卻又最被忽視的宣教工場！我們有 18 年的時間不僅要與他們分享福音，還要訓練他們。比喻中的牧羊人是“把九十九隻留在曠野，去追尋那迷失的ㄧ隻，直到找到”。也許是時候讓父母和教會重新調整我們例常的教會計劃和活動，並集中精力將我們自己教會的孩子“融入其中”，尤其是世界正在全力以赴奪取他們的心和他們的頭腦。願教會裝備父母成為宣教士，派他們到宣教工場（他們自己的家）去尋找迷失的羊（他們的孩子）！

禱告：親愛的天父，請睜開我們的眼睛，讓我們看見我們親愛的孩子是最重要的宣教工場，並且去尋找那些迷失的孩子！奉耶穌的名禱告，阿們。

πρόβατον probaton (n) = 羊 sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep is a familiar parable to us. We often think that the lost sheep are those who have never heard the gospel and accordingly consider how we should reach out to them. But how about those who have grown up in the church and who nevertheless are still lost? Have we gone after them? Too often we are satisfied and proud just to have any sheep at all in the church without thinking about the reason why so many others have become lost, not even to mention making it a priority to bring them back.

Our own dear children are the most important yet most neglected mission field! We have 18 years not only to share the gospel with them but also to disciple them. The shepherd in the parable is to “leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it”. Maybe it is time for parents and churches to reanalyze our usual church programs and activities and put a concentrated effort on bringing our own church children “into the fold”, especially since the world is putting all of its effort on going after their hearts and their minds. May the church equip parents to be missionaries and send them out to the mission field (their own homes) to find the lost sheep (their children)!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please open our eyes to see our dear children as the most important mission field and to go after those who are lost! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

πρόβατον probaton (n) = sheep