The Lost Coin
A woman loses one of her ten silver coins and searches the whole house until she finds it. Heaven rejoices the same way over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:8-10
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The Story
Jesus continued: 'Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin."
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'
This parable is the second in a trilogy about lost things (the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son). The coin was a drachma, worth about a day's wages—significant for a poor household. Some scholars suggest these ten coins may have been part of her marriage dowry, worn as a headpiece, making the loss both financial and sentimental.
The woman's response to finding the coin mirrors the shepherd's joy over finding his sheep. She lights a lamp because peasant homes in Palestine had few windows and were dark. She sweeps carefully because the coin could be hidden in the packed dirt floor or among the reeds.
The point is clear: God actively searches for those who are lost. And when one is found, heaven erupts in celebration. Every person matters infinitely to God.
The Lost Coin
Kids Version
Right after the Lost Sheep story, Jesus told another one:
Imagine a woman who has ten silver coins. They're very special to her—maybe part of her wedding jewelry!
One day, she counts them: 1, 2, 3... 9. Wait—NINE?! One coin is MISSING!
Does she say, 'Oh well, I still have nine'? NO WAY!
She lights a lamp because her house is dark. She gets a broom and sweeps EVERYWHERE. She looks in every corner. She moves everything around.
She searches and searches and searches...
CLINK! There it is! She found it!
The woman is SO happy! She calls all her friends and neighbors: 'Come celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!'
Jesus said, 'That's what happens in heaven when ONE person who was lost comes back to God. The angels have a big celebration!'
Think about it—the woman had nine other coins. But that one lost coin mattered SO much to her. She wouldn't stop looking until she found it.
That's how God feels about YOU! Even if millions of people already love Him, YOU matter! If you're feeling lost, God is searching for you right now. He won't give up!
And when you come to Him? Party time in heaven!
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — Luke 15:8-10 (KJV)
8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? pieces: drachma, here translated a piece of silver, is the eighth part of an ounce, which cometh to seven pence halfpenny, and is equal to the Roman penny
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Memory Verse
“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? pieces: drachma, here translated a piece of silver, is the eighth part of an ounce, which cometh to seven pence halfpenny, and is equal to the Roman penny”
— Luke 15:8 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Lost Coin” in the Bible?
A woman loses one of her ten silver coins and searches the whole house until she finds it. Heaven rejoices the same way over one sinner who repents. This story is found in Luke 15:8-10.
Where is “The Lost Coin” found in the Bible?
“The Lost Coin” is found in Luke 15:8-10, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “The Lost Coin”?
This story teaches children about God seeks the lost, Value of each person, Joy in heaven. A woman lost one of her ten special coins. She searched everywhere until she found it! God searches for lost people the same way.